A preceptor is ideally a well seasoned veteran nurse who is capable of supporting, teaching, coaching and evaluating new hires regardless if they are graduate nurses or experienced nurses transitioning into a new role. The preceptor is in a position to guide their orientee into the real world.
The concept of having a preceptor to guide a new nurse came about after I was already a nurse. I would have appreciated having a mentor that I could have counted on as I acclimated to becoming a nurse. I have seen firsthand the remarkable benefits achieved by having