Abstract
Objectives: Examination of the success of nurse preceptors is moving toward the need for co-creation between nurse leaders and nurses in the role of nurse preceptors. The current nursing workforce has five generations in the cohort of healthcare workers: Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y), and Generation Z (Bacon, 2023). Each group may have different characteristics and traits; supporting them can be challenging. As noted, the demographics of the workforce have changed. Therefore, Nurse Leaders (NL) must demonstrate inclusive leadership behaviors that result in practice environments where all individuals, diverse in their ages, experiences, and education, realize they belong and are accepted.
Eligibility criteria An inclusion of mixed-method, qualitative, and quantitative research and theory studies drawn from healthcare and business were reviewed.
Sources of evidence A search of electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health), ProQuest Central, and Science Direct, was conducted to identify relevant literature from 2010 to June 2023. Searches were limited to the English language. The keywords used for the search were support, nurse preceptor, preceptor, perception, nurse manager, nurse leader, commitment, and role.
Result With the complexity of the preceptor's role, there can be varying positive or negative outcomes. Preceptors experience stressors due to the demands and responsibilities of the preceptor role, which can take a toll on the nurse preceptor and impact retention and burnout (Kemper, 2007). Quality of Caring Model (QCM) is a multidimensional process that embeds values and beliefs of human caring capable of growth and change. This process allows humans to interact with themselves and others in groups, communities, or the environment (Duffy, 2024). While the interpersonal nature is essential in the Quality Care Model, the driving force of QCM is the relationship with oneself. QCM has four fundamental principles: self, healthcare team, patient/family, and community. Awareness of each basic principle not only permits an individual to have a relationship and connection with oneself but also allows them to attain specific health goals. One way of maintaining a supportive environment for preceptors is by investigating the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory in healthcare settings. LMX refers to the importance of developing a relationship between a manager-employee and influencing the workplace attitude and employee well-being (Epitropaki & Martin, 1999). Additionally, to improve feelings of being supported, management should provide opportunities for talking about experiences, and preceptors must have a sense of partnership between preceptor, educator, and management in the precepting process (Younge et al., 2002a & Younge et al., 2002b).
Conclusion The demand in healthcare for nurses to volunteer as preceptors has increased dramatically. There is also a demand for a more skilled workforce due to increased technology and the aging nursing population. The preceptors are responsible for role modeling positive behaviors, instructing, teaching, guiding, and socializing the preceptees in the institution. Therefore, educators and management need to clearly define the goals and objectives of the preceptee when mentoring the preceptee and preceptor development process. (Hautala et al., 2007).
Notes
Presenter notes available in attached slide deck.
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Upsilon Alpha
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Preceptorship, Nursing Leaders, Nursing Role, Work Environment, Workforce, Sociodemographic Factors
Recommended Citation
Prawl, Sharon, "Theoretical Contributions to a Positive Work Environment" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 87.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2024/presentations_2024/87
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2024
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-02-24
Theoretical Contributions to a Positive Work Environment
Washington, DC, USA
Objectives: Examination of the success of nurse preceptors is moving toward the need for co-creation between nurse leaders and nurses in the role of nurse preceptors. The current nursing workforce has five generations in the cohort of healthcare workers: Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y), and Generation Z (Bacon, 2023). Each group may have different characteristics and traits; supporting them can be challenging. As noted, the demographics of the workforce have changed. Therefore, Nurse Leaders (NL) must demonstrate inclusive leadership behaviors that result in practice environments where all individuals, diverse in their ages, experiences, and education, realize they belong and are accepted.
Eligibility criteria An inclusion of mixed-method, qualitative, and quantitative research and theory studies drawn from healthcare and business were reviewed.
Sources of evidence A search of electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health), ProQuest Central, and Science Direct, was conducted to identify relevant literature from 2010 to June 2023. Searches were limited to the English language. The keywords used for the search were support, nurse preceptor, preceptor, perception, nurse manager, nurse leader, commitment, and role.
Result With the complexity of the preceptor's role, there can be varying positive or negative outcomes. Preceptors experience stressors due to the demands and responsibilities of the preceptor role, which can take a toll on the nurse preceptor and impact retention and burnout (Kemper, 2007). Quality of Caring Model (QCM) is a multidimensional process that embeds values and beliefs of human caring capable of growth and change. This process allows humans to interact with themselves and others in groups, communities, or the environment (Duffy, 2024). While the interpersonal nature is essential in the Quality Care Model, the driving force of QCM is the relationship with oneself. QCM has four fundamental principles: self, healthcare team, patient/family, and community. Awareness of each basic principle not only permits an individual to have a relationship and connection with oneself but also allows them to attain specific health goals. One way of maintaining a supportive environment for preceptors is by investigating the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory in healthcare settings. LMX refers to the importance of developing a relationship between a manager-employee and influencing the workplace attitude and employee well-being (Epitropaki & Martin, 1999). Additionally, to improve feelings of being supported, management should provide opportunities for talking about experiences, and preceptors must have a sense of partnership between preceptor, educator, and management in the precepting process (Younge et al., 2002a & Younge et al., 2002b).
Conclusion The demand in healthcare for nurses to volunteer as preceptors has increased dramatically. There is also a demand for a more skilled workforce due to increased technology and the aging nursing population. The preceptors are responsible for role modeling positive behaviors, instructing, teaching, guiding, and socializing the preceptees in the institution. Therefore, educators and management need to clearly define the goals and objectives of the preceptee when mentoring the preceptee and preceptor development process. (Hautala et al., 2007).
Description
A healthcare environment that supports and nurtures its professionals creates a positive work environment. Creating a positive work environment fosters camaraderie where healthcare professionals can strive to achieve their best potential.