Abstract
The Academy for Clinical Instructor and Preceptor Excellence in the Southeast (CAPES), funded by a $3.9 million HRSA grant, addresses critical gaps in nursing education by training clinical nursing faculty and preceptors to support nurse education among nurses in underserved areas. CAPES is an innovative approach to workforce development, targeting health professional shortage areas in HHS Region IV. This presentation will showcase the creation of a train-the-trainer (TTT) program designed to offer an evidence-based curriculum that trained nurse preceptors can use to educate others within their organizations.
A Train the Trainer (TTT) program is an educational approach where experienced instructors train individuals to become trainers at their respective institutions or organizations. TTT programs enable organizations to scale training efforts by creating a multiplier effect. A small group of master trainers can educate many future trainers, reaching even more learners. Training local nurse trainers can deliver educational programs in multiple locations simultaneously, even in resource-limited or remote areas. This cost-effective model enhances training quality, fosters professional growth, and supports a sustainable nursing workforce.
During the development of a preceptor training program, qualitative feedback offered insight into the needs of the nursing workforce. It revealed that trained preceptors needed access to a program that would enable them to return to their organizations and train others, a TTT program. This program, grounded in evidence-based research, focuses on sharing the principles and best practices of nurse preceptor training. The curriculum design began after defining objectives that aligned with the competencies required for effective preceptorship. Curriculum design focused on essential topics such as:
- Teaching Techniques
- Interactive Training Methods
- Clinical Competency Development
- Communication Skills
- Technology Integration
- Well-being
- Inclusive Teaching Excellence
The CAPES Academy is dedicated to creating valuable resources and ensuring their distribution to nurses who need training materials for nurse preceptors. The development of the TTT program offers a cost-effective solution that promotes consistency in training quality, fosters empowerment and professional growth, enhances engagement and learning retention, supports a sustainable workforce, and increases the capacity for mentorship and guidance.
Notes
References:
Bodine, J. (2023). The Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity: Implications for Preceptor Development. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 39 (2), 115-116. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000975.
Poitras, M.-E., Couturier, Y., Doucet, E., T. Vaillancourt, V., Gauthier, G., Poirier, M.-D., Massé, S., Hudon, C., Delli-Colli, N., Gagnon, D., Careau, E., Duhoux, A., Gaboury, I., Berbiche, D., Ben Charif, A., Ashcroft, R., Lukewich, J., Ramond-Roquin, A., Beaupré, P., & Morin, A. (2024). Enhanced train-the-trainer program for registered nurses and social workers to apply the founding principles of primary care in their practice: a pre-post study. BMC Primary Care, 25(1), 1–12. https://doi-org.proxy.library.emory.edu/10.1186/s12875-024-02574-3
Schweitzer, K. & Graebe, J. (2023). Preceptor Development: Incorporating the Future of Nursing Recommendations and the American Nurses Credentialing Center Outcome-Based Continuing Education Model. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 39 (3), 176-179. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000990.
Videtich, K. , Moran, K. , Zajac, L. & Myers, R. (2022). Changing the trajectory of clinical precepting for nurse practitioner students with the development of a preceptor resource network. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 34 (7), 909-917. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000732.
Sigma Membership
Alpha Epsilon
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Faculty development, Sustainable Development Goals, Continuing Education, Train the Trainer, Clinical Instructors, Preceptors
Recommended Citation
Woods, Elizabeth L.; Clement, Desiree Mullis; Weston, Jeannie; and Phan, Quyen, "Creating Impact Through Training: A Train-the-Trainer Model for Nurse Preceptor Education" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 143.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/143
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
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.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Creating Impact Through Training: A Train-the-Trainer Model for Nurse Preceptor Education
Seattle, Washington, USA
The Academy for Clinical Instructor and Preceptor Excellence in the Southeast (CAPES), funded by a $3.9 million HRSA grant, addresses critical gaps in nursing education by training clinical nursing faculty and preceptors to support nurse education among nurses in underserved areas. CAPES is an innovative approach to workforce development, targeting health professional shortage areas in HHS Region IV. This presentation will showcase the creation of a train-the-trainer (TTT) program designed to offer an evidence-based curriculum that trained nurse preceptors can use to educate others within their organizations.
A Train the Trainer (TTT) program is an educational approach where experienced instructors train individuals to become trainers at their respective institutions or organizations. TTT programs enable organizations to scale training efforts by creating a multiplier effect. A small group of master trainers can educate many future trainers, reaching even more learners. Training local nurse trainers can deliver educational programs in multiple locations simultaneously, even in resource-limited or remote areas. This cost-effective model enhances training quality, fosters professional growth, and supports a sustainable nursing workforce.
During the development of a preceptor training program, qualitative feedback offered insight into the needs of the nursing workforce. It revealed that trained preceptors needed access to a program that would enable them to return to their organizations and train others, a TTT program. This program, grounded in evidence-based research, focuses on sharing the principles and best practices of nurse preceptor training. The curriculum design began after defining objectives that aligned with the competencies required for effective preceptorship. Curriculum design focused on essential topics such as:
- Teaching Techniques
- Interactive Training Methods
- Clinical Competency Development
- Communication Skills
- Technology Integration
- Well-being
- Inclusive Teaching Excellence
The CAPES Academy is dedicated to creating valuable resources and ensuring their distribution to nurses who need training materials for nurse preceptors. The development of the TTT program offers a cost-effective solution that promotes consistency in training quality, fosters empowerment and professional growth, enhances engagement and learning retention, supports a sustainable workforce, and increases the capacity for mentorship and guidance.
Description
The Academy for Clinical Instructor and Preceptor Excellence in the Southeast (CAPES), funded by a $3.9 million HRSA grant, addresses nursing education gaps by training clinical nursing faculty and preceptors in underserved areas of the Southeast. CAPES developed a Train-the-Trainer program to provide an evidence-based curriculum for preceptors to train others within their organizations. The program emphasizes teaching techniques, communication, clinical competency, and technology integration.