PhD Proposal: Enhancing Preceptor Skills Using Simulation Strategies

This PhD proposal aims to enhance preceptor skill development in nursing through the application of simulation strategies. The research, based on the findings of Shinners & Franqueiro (2015), seeks to restructure preceptor education programs, with a focus on using simulation to transform classroom settings into live laboratories where coaching and feedback skills can be analyzed. The study will generate videos and case studies of realistic clinical scenarios to address disruptive behaviors, serving as a reference for redesigning simulation strategies. The goal is to promote high-level engagement among preceptees, preceptors, and staff, fostering innovative approaches in clinical environments and strengthening the educator role of preceptors. The author's career goal aligns with the College of Nursing's research program, emphasizing the importance of clinical practice. The research will involve reevaluating preceptor roles through literature research and collaboration with experienced nurses, with the timeframe detailed in the appendix. The study's significance lies in improving nurse retention and the quality of training for new graduate registered nurses.

Running head: PhD PROPOSAL
PhD Proposal
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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PhD PROPOSAL
Enhancing Preceptor Skill Development Using Simulation Strategies
Retention of new graduate registered nurse continues to be a problem in the domain of
both health care organizations and nursing profession (Shinners & Franqueiro, 2015). A
comprehensive preceptor engagement program along with in-house residency is the two most
vital factors in attaining success for the nurses in transition (Anderson, Hair & Todero, 2012).
At present, the nurse preceptor needs to pass through numerous challenging experiences like
increased level of complexity of patient care, decreased length in the hospital stay and
diminished number of nursing resources (Picconi, 2011). All these make it extremely difficult
for the nursing staffs to assume the role of preceptor for the newly hired nursing professionals
and the nursing students while balancing the need to providing quality care to the patient
(Horton et al., 2012).
The aim of the research is to modify, revise and restructure the preceptor education
program in order to enhance the proper development of the preceptor skills. The aim is based
on the results obtained from the research of Shinners & Franqueiro (2015). The main
modification of the preceptor skills will take place via application of simulation strategies
like transforming classroom for nursing education into a live laboratory where proper
coaching and feedback skills will be stringently analyzed. The research will also aim to
generate videos or case studies of realistic clinical scenarios as experienced by the preceptors
in order to explain the disruptive behavior. These video tapes and case studies will act as a
mode of reference for problem analysis and subsequent redesigning of the simulation
strategies in order enrich the preceptor skill. The importance of the study is successful
modification of the receptor skill via simulation strategy. This will help to promote high-level
of engagement and increased level of participation among the both the preceptees, preceptors
and other staff members. Such increase in engagement will further help the participants to

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PhD PROPOSAL
take innovative approaches under clinical environment, further strengthening the educator
role of preceptor performance.
My career goal is to generate effective learning environment and to facilitate
clinically constructive learning experience for on-boarding new graduate registered nurses.
My career goal is aligned with the interest of the College of Nursing (CON)-faculty member
research program, which recognizes clinical practice as an essential part of all healthcare
profession. According to the CON, clinical education is the sole pillar of the nursing
programs and the newcomers must be immersed in the new clinical settings in order to learn
the profession from depth (Bengtsson & Carlson, 2015).
I will work effectively with the team of the experience registered nurse towards
developing the concept of the preceptor role. While working with them, I will gradually
reevaluate the main roles of the preceptor like coaching, inspiring, guiding, teaching and role
modeling. I have previous experience of working effectively as a team members during by
course of bachelor degree in nursing. I have all the qualities to work as a team. I am a good
listener with effective communication skills, nurture positive attitude with dedicated
commitment towards the team and quick problem solver. I also have previous research and
quality improvement experience and I will utilize experience of mine in this research to refine
the preceptor skill. In this process I will make of use of extensive literature research to erect
the structure of the of plan improvement program of preceptor skill development.
The time span of the research is given in the appendix portion.

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PhD PROPOSAL
References
Anderson, G., Hair, C., & Todero, C. (2012). Nurse residency programs: An evidence-based
review of theory, process, and outcomes. Journal of Professional Nursing, 28(4), 203-
212.
Bengtsson, M., & Carlson, E. (2015). Knowledge and skills needed to improve as preceptor:
development of a continuous professional development course–a qualitative study
part I. BMC nursing, 14(1), 51.
Horton, C. D., DePaoli, S., Hertach, M., & Bower, M. (2012). Enhancing the effectiveness of
nurse preceptors. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 28(4), E1-E7.
Picconi, J. (2011). Enhancing Preceptor Skill Development Using Simulation
Strategies. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 7(6), e259.
Shinners, J. S., & Franqueiro, T. (2015). Preceptor skills and characteristics: considerations
for preceptor education. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 46(5), 233-
236.

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PhD PROPOSAL
Appendix
Timeframe of the research
Source: Created by author