Partnerships for Learning Population‐Based Public Health Nursing: Web‐Delivered Continuing Education for Public Health Nurse Preceptors

Abstract

Public health and other community health nurses frequently serve as preceptors to undergraduate student nurses learning population-based nursing in community/public health practicum courses. The extent of preparation and support for the preceptor role provided by schools of nursing is often limited. One strategy to address this problem is to provide targeted, Web-delivered continuing education (CE) to preceptors. A Web-delivered CE course entitled, "Partnerships for Learning Community Health Nursing," was created and pilot tested. Course content includes preceptor roles; assisting students in learning population-based public health nursing, critical thinking, and cultural competence; learning styles and teaching strategies; what to do in challenging situations; evaluation and feedback; and specific information about school policies, procedures, and course assignments. Precourse knowledge was assessed using a mailed survey. Postcourse knowledge and satisfaction were assessed using questions embedded in the course. Postsemester knowledge and satisfaction were evaluated through a postsemester survey. Knowledge gain was tested using repeated measures ANOVA and paired t tests. Thirteen preceptors participated in the pilot test. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that knowledge gain occurred (multivariate F=55.603, df=2, error df=11, p<.0001). Participants increased knowledge from pretest to posttest (t=-10.25, p<.00001) and from pretest to end of the semester (t=-4.95, p<.0003). Knowledge decline from end of course to end of semester was not significant (t=1.94, p=.08). Participants reported satisfaction with the course. Web-delivered CE for community/public health nurse preceptors can support preceptor learning and is an acceptable method for receiving this type of education. Further research is needed on the impact of preceptor education on student learning.

Identification of facilitators and barriers to the role of a mentor in the clinical setting

“…Development of a clinical mentor web-based professional development tool will serve to link clinical mentors with each other and the academic settings covering a wide geographical area. In addition, the success with programming specifically related to web-based continuing education programming for clinical mentors points to the possibilities for web-based communication to be a satisfying and effective mode of clinical mentor orientation and ongoing support (Zahner, 2006).…”

Conceptualisations and perceptions of the nurse preceptor's role: A scoping review

“…Close reading revealed that the study focus and/or type of preceptor did not meet our inclusion criteria. For example, Lindquist et al (2012) were excluded as the clinical educators in the study were employed by the university, while Zahner (2006) was excluded as the study focused on a programme evaluation and included no information about the supervisors' perception of their own practices. Overall, 25 studies met all inclusion criteria and included research pertaining to nursing preceptorship in countries as varied as Australia, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Finland, Honduras, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States, see Table 2 Overview of Included Research Articles.…”

The Maternal and Child Healthcare Needs of New Immigrants in Taipei

“…In Taiwan, transcultural competence in nursing education must not be deemphasized. As regards the issue of transnational marriages, there is a need to create and implement a 'partnership platform' (Zabner, 2006) between the public and private sectors within the community. Knowledge, information and awareness of the needs of maternal and child healthcare amongst immigrant women can lead to reformation of the cultural intervention approach provided by public health nurses.…”