Therefore, the informal preceptor role can not be underestimated as more new nurses and nursing students observe other seasoned registered nurses for professional ques on behavioral expectations. Treatment of others in the clinical setting and style of communication and decision making under pressure are observed overtly and covertly by others. 

Implications for Practice 

New nurses and students must take on the responsibility of preparedness for entering the clinical setting.  New nurses and students need to understand the mission of the institution, the general climate for delivering patient care, organizational structure, understand client based, organizational climate and formal or informal lines of communication which may require a willingness to spend time outside the work setting to understand.  Development and evaluation of clinical objectives or goals shared with preceptors assists everyone in understanding current knowledge and skill levels as well as areas of needed improvement or reinforcement.  Communication is key between the preceptor and the new nurse or nursing student. Increased communication is imperative when problems or concerns are identified for early resolution. 

Preceptors benefit from the additional assistance in providing patient care. New nurses and nursing students bring fresh perspective to patient care situations including new knowledge or skills that can be extremely advantageous. The patient care setting can become newly infused with enthusiasm that can spread and expand among current staff.  The new energy created when respectful collaboration occurs between preceptor and new nurse or student help to provide optimism and positive feelings that are welcomed by any manager.

Staff benefit from others modeling collegiality and exemplar behavior that create an environment of acceptance and support for all members of the health care team.

Time considerations are both stretched and conserved when preceptors are paired up with new nurses and/or students.  Teaching, reviewing, guiding, directing, and supporting another individual takes time.  Conversely the addition of another individual to share the work load saves time if they are well prepared to accept responsibility for learning. 
 
Conclusion 

The relationship between preceptors and new nurses and/or nursing students can not be underestimated.  Those that accept the responsibility of preceptorship should be rewarded for their willingness to devote time, share knowledge and skills as well as professional anecdotal insight with a new or future colleague.  It is our professional responsibility as licensed professional healthcare team members to help others to rise up to meet their potential.  The old “eat their young” attitude cannot be tolerated.  Reciprocal respect and support must be embedded in the nursing profession for those learning or new to the professional role. 

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