Supporting preceptors’ skill development with a discussion forum
The success of nursing students in clinical settings is significantly influenced by how well prepared a nurse is regarding his/her role as a preceptor. It is therefore essential to create and make available training activities that prepare and support the development of these skills in clinical settings. Among the significant benefits to participating in preceptorship training activities, the satisfaction of feeling better prepared and of sharing experiences with colleagues is well recognized. Thus, the online environment allows enables the creation of programs that encourage exchanges and discussions in addition to promoting a social learning space. This article presents the implementation of an online training activity to support the development of preceptors’ skills in clinical settings with nursing students. The results of this clinical experience revealed several constraints to the involvement of nurses in this activity and enhanced the importance of an organizational partnership between the institution and the clinical environment to overcome these constraints.