Abstract:
As new graduate nurses begin professional practice nurses face a transition period of adjustment from the academic setting to the practice setting. Organizations provide an orientation program to assist with the transition. Preceptors are experienced nurses that assist new nurses to develop competency skills and become socialized into the role (Finger & Pape, 2002). Since nurse preceptors continue to carry a patient assignment nurses may not want to take on the additional responsibility of precepting new nurses. The purpose of this study is to examine intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate nurses to precept new graduate nurses and to continue to work as a preceptor. Frederick Herzberg's Motivation and Hygiene Theory is the framework for this descriptive study. The sample will be 75 nurses who precept over a 1 year period at a large hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The Work Preference Inventory (WPI) will measure motivating factors. Permission will be obtained from Ball State University and the participating hospital. Clinical educators will use the findings in the design of a preceptor education and recognition program.