A case study of a preceptorship programme in an acute NHS Trust--using the European Foundation for Quality Management tool to support clinical practice development.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the results of the evaluation, assessment and effectiveness of the trust-wide clinical practice development of a preceptorship programme for newly qualified nurses at Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust. To apply the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model as a tool for monitoring and assessing the performance of the programme.


BACKGROUND
Newly qualified nurses need support and preparation for their working role in their first recruitment. A preceptorship programme, developed around a quality-monitoring framework, was introduced to address this need at Salford Royal, an acute NHS Trust.


METHODS
The generic EFQM model was adapted to the specific case of the preceptorship programme. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to obtain evidence to assess how the EFQM tool was applied in the context of the preceptorship programme. Pre- and post-programme questionnaires were sent to preceptees and post-programme questionnaires to respective ward managers.


RESULTS
Following introduction of the preceptorship programme, recruitment and retention of newly qualified nurses have increased, with preceptees self-reporting increased levels of confidence. Use of the EFQM tool has provided the information that managers and departments require. Anecdotal evidence to date suggests that barriers are being broken down. Utilization of the framework has also identified areas of practice that need to change.


CONCLUSIONS
This paper demonstrates how use of a generic tool such as EFQM can provide systematic and evaluative information for nursing.
Leigh
Jacqueline A
JA
School of Nursing, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
Douglas
Calbert H
CH
Lee
Kath
K
Douglas
Mary R
MR
D002983:Clinical Competence; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010559:Personnel Management; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013192:Staff Development; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom