Nurses Precepting Nurses

NURSES AS PRECEPTORS TO REDUCE NURSE BURNOUT

2006

The physical and emotional demands attendant to the nursing profession has lead to increasing rates of nurse burnout in many hospitals and clinics across the country (Riddle 2003 . As nurse workloads increase nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction become greater factors in the voluntary turnover of nurses which in turns results to understaffing of clinics and hospitals (Vahey et al 2004 . The loss of nurses is a major threat to patient care and safety as hospitals and clinics have to constantly combat understaffing problems

. According to the American Hospital Association , there are over 125 ,000 Registered Nurse positions currently unfilled in various hospitals and clinics across the U .S Over the next eight years , the AHA estimates that the demand for nurses will increase by at least 25 while nursing student admissions have steadily decline (Riddle 2003

These nurse burnouts have been attributed to the following factors low staffing levels in hospitals and clinics , excessive over-time demands , leaderships ' inability to successfully address problems nurses ' perceptions of the quality of patient care , and support from co-workers and supervisors (Riddle 2003 . Lack of technology and patient interaction have also been cited as factors that lead to nurse burnout (Mee 2002

Nurse burnout tends to creep up on a nurse . Some signs are unusual fatigue , insomnia , and general unhappiness with one 's practice . Nurses are advised to recognize how hard they work , how much they do , and how they stressed they are . They should also consider their nursing colleagues , particularly those who have been working for 2 or 3 years Nurses work so hard in developing their nursing skills that they tend to ignore or not recognize the extreme pressure under which they work (Mee 2002 . One way of combating this stress that leads to nurse burnout is by involving the nurses in the role of precepting in to diminish and eventually eliminate nurse burnout in their respective environments

As preceptor , experienced nurses can share their knowledge and skills and help to guide new nurses , or preceptees , while performing their usual duties . Preceptors take on the role of teacher , instructor educator , tutor , trainer , coach , mentor and boss to new nurses . As preceptors , experienced nurses should gain the trust and confidence of new nurses so that the latter will not hesitate in approaching their preceptors in case of problems and concerns which may eventually snowball into nurse burnout . As preceptors , experienced nurses should embody confidence , capability and enthusiasm in their profession possess excellence in leadership and mentorship abilities display patience , empathy and tact communicate well with co-workers , staff and patients and set realistic expectations and goals for themselves co-worked and preceptees (SIAST 2006 . From the onset , the preceptor should acquaint the preceptee with the clinical setting and help provide appropriate orientation on the hospital or clinic . The preceptor and preceptee should then meet regularly to evaluate learning experiences (Sonoma State University 2003 . Preceptors should encourage nurses to team up and provide support to each other , even...