Factors influencing the retention of nurse preceptors in a critical care education program

The use of nurse preceptors in critical care education programs is an accepted method of orienting unskilled nurses to critical care units. Data generated from focus group interviews of experienced nurse preceptors were used to identify, describe and understand the factors that influence nurse preceptors to decide whether or not to remain participants in the education program. The willingness of nurse preceptors to continue participation may depend on preceptor desire to share with others, preceptor ability to resolve conflict and understanding by all partners in the critical care education program of the preceptor role's complexity. As the need for skilled critical care nurses grows, knowledge and understanding of these factors may assist nurses in education, administration and practice in planning strategies to support preceptors in their roles.