title: The impact of Web-delivered education on preceptor role self-efficacy and knowledge in public health nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preceptors are an essential component in preparing student nurses to become practicing public health nurses. Preparation for the preceptor role is important for achieving a quality learning experience for students. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between completion of a Web-delivered preceptor education program and both knowledge of the preceptor role and self-efficacy to perform in the preceptor role.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental design. The participants were experienced public health nurses (n=31) working in one state in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pretest and posttest Web-delivered survey using the preceptor self-efficacy questionnaire and an instrument assessing knowledge gain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Web-delivered preceptor education program tailored for public health nurses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The program was associated with improved self-efficacy scores at both the immediate and the 3-month posttest, and with increased knowledge of the preceptor role evident at the immediate posttest only. Self-efficacy scores were independent of knowledge scores. Preceptor age was not correlated with self-efficacy or knowledge scores. Nurses with higher levels of education demonstrated higher self-efficacy scores in all 3 measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Web-delivered continuing education targeted to public health nurse preceptors is an effective method to increase confidence and knowledge for the preceptor role.
authors: College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, St. Joseph, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Rachelle
authors: R
authors: Larsen
authors: Susan J
authors: SJ
authors: Zahner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011231:Preceptorship; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000193:education*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States; D014922:Wisconsin; D055815:Young Adult