Preceptors' perceptions of benefits, rewards, supports and commitment to the preceptor role

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine the relationships among preceptors' perceptions of benefits, rewards, supports and commitment to the preceptor role. A convenience sample of 59 nurse preceptors in a 400-bed urban teaching hospital participated by completing a four-part questionnaire: the Preceptor's Perception of Benefits and Rewards Scale, the Preceptor's Perception of Support Scale, the Commitment to the Preceptor Role Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Kanter's (1977) model 'Structural Determinants of Behaviour in Organizations' provided the conceptual framework for the study. Three study correlations reached statistical significance, suggesting that commitment to the preceptor role is positively associated with: (a) preceptors' perception of benefits and rewards, (b) preceptors' perception of support, and (c) the number of preceptor experiences. The results have implications for nursing administrators and nursing educators to ensure that adequate benefits, rewards and supports are available to preceptors. Recommendations for developing more effective preceptor programmes are proposed.