A phenomenological perspective on preceptorship in the intergenerational context

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Yonge, O.
  • Foley, V.
  • Myrick, F.

• Pairing a student with an experienced nurse through preceptorship is an approach to teaching/learning that promotes critical thinking, cultivates practical wisdom, and facilitates competence. Frequently, nursing students are of a different generation than their assigned preceptors and differences in worldviews and expectations can impact upon the success of preceptorship. A phenomenological study, guided by van Manen’s approach to human science research, was conducted to explore preceptorship within this intergenerational context. Data were generated using unstructured interviews with a purposive sample of seven preceptors and seven students recruited from an undergraduate nursing program. The findings reveal three main themes: being affirmed, being challenged, and being on a pedagogical journey. The findings of this study have the potential to enhance generational understanding in the pedagogical context and foster a teaching/learning culture in the clinical practice setting inclusive of divergent generational expectations.

• Date created

  2012

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Generations
  • Preceptorship
  • Qualitative research
  • Phenomenology

• Type of Item

  Article (Published)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R36Q1SK5W

• License

  © 2012 Water de Gruyter. This version of this article is open access and can be downloaded and shared. The original author(s) and source must be cited. The final publication is available at www.degruyter.com.