Roles and Responsibilities of Preceptor Nurse in Bolton Clarke

Running head: COMMUNITY PRACTICE PORTFOLIO 1
Community Practice Portfolio (Bolton Clarke Australia)

COMMUNITY PRACTICE PORTFOLIO 2
Table of Contents
Introduction- Bolton Clarke Australia.............................................................................................3
Roles and responsibilities of Preceptor Nurse in Bolton Clarke.....................................................3
Nurses role in empowering Family members and patient...............................................................5
Reflection on community practice...................................................................................................8
References......................................................................................................................................10

COMMUNITY PRACTICE PORTFOLIO 3
Introduction- Bolton Clarke Australia
Bolton Clarke is one of Australia's largest and experienced nonprofit providers of
independent living services for elderly people in Australia. It also provides retirement living and
residential aged care to allow the elderly citizens get best quality of life and independence.
Bolton Clarke has a combined experience of over 200 years delivering highest standards of
professional support and clinical care (Bolton Clarke, 2019a). The establishment of the
Melbourne District Nursing Society in 1885 provided professional nursing support by visiting
the people in need to provide compassionate nursing care. There are three main areas focused by
Bolton Clarke namely residential aged care, at Home Support and retirement living.
Currently, the organization provides 24-hour home nursing and home care services to its
patients throughout Australia and New Zealand. The diversified service offerings by the
organization has extended its reach two form of in-house research institute and training center for
nurses and care workers (Bolton Clarke, 2019c). Bolton Clarke has specifically focused on
keeping the community connected by holding values of compassion and respect. The
professional support services and care provided to the patients allows Bolton Clarke to continue
to build trust and reputation among the Australian and New Zealand community.
Roles and responsibilities of Preceptor Nurse in Bolton Clarke
According to Francis, (2018), a Preceptor is an experienced registered nurse who tries to
bridge the gap between the classroom teachings and practical experience of nursing. The priority
of a preceptor is patient care and they are responsible for teaching new nursing students to
deliver the best possible care to their patients. There are a variety of skills to be taught to the
students in nursing profession and therefore the role of a preceptor is important. The role of a
preceptor is not limited to be a role model and mentor but also act as a resource person who
actively demonstrates nursing actions and provides timely and appropriate feedback to the
nurses. When nursing student graduate and begin their practice in any hospital setting, it is
important for them to have an orientation program that will allow them to make smooth
transition from an inexperienced student to a professional nurse. As opined by Wang & Hung
(2018), this is the reason healthcare settings take the responsibility of grooming the new nurses
with the help of dedicated nurse receptors to retain nurses in the profession. The preceptees or
the new graduate nurses develop their skills, abilities from their mentors or preceptor to become

COMMUNITY PRACTICE PORTFOLIO 4
strong practicing professionals. However, it is important that preceptors are properly educated
and trained in order to pass their knowledge on to the next generation of nurses.
Bolton Clarke has provided healthcare services and aged care services for more than 200
years with a passion for ensuring best possible treatment and care for elderly people. At Bolton
Clarke, the preceptor nurses act as reliable and trustworthy caregivers and mentors to new
graduate nurses (Bolton Clarke, 2019d). According to Clark, (2015), Community nursing can be
challenging for some nursing students and their first exposure to clients outside hospital setting.
The new students are exposed to various clients and families which allows them to understand
the health issues they are facing. However, without proper training or experience of working
with clients outside hospital setting would require the help of a preceptor nurse to guide them.
Bolton Clarke it's nurse preceptors to assess learning needs and set goals by developing learning
plans for the new practicing nurses. Since the organization is engaged in providing and support
to elderly citizens, preceptors are required to train the junior nurses to provide At Home Support
Services for aged people. This service can be opted by people living in private homes, private or
public rentals, supported accommodation, high rise flats and retirement units. Therefore, nurses
must be equipped with adequate knowledge of taking care of the patients whatever home settings
they are currently living. The preceptor is required to demonstrate, personify lead by examples to
help the new graduate nurses integrate clinical and professional practice. Bolton Clarke ensures
that their preceptors are enthusiastic for practice and possess exemplary ethical behavior towards
other members of the healthcare team.
The role of a preceptor at Bolton Clarke is to teach and share their expertise to allow the
junior nurses to become independent learners who seek their own information and identify
appropriate solutions. Nevertheless, preceptors should introduce the new nurses new roles and
responsibilities, make them learn the basics, evaluate their performance and provide feedback for
improvement when required. For instance, it is important for the new nurses to know about
clinical medications, continence management, wound management, stomal therapy management,
dementia care, management and to a certain extent skin care management. In order to provide the
desired care, nurses must be exposed to various clients and families and the type of care they
require. The role of preceptors is to educate the new nurses about care planning and understand
the needs of the clients and their families. Often the new nurses have to understand the client