Competence and innovation in preceptor development: updating our programs.

To meet the challenges inherent to the 21st century healthcare environment, preceptors require specific preparation for their teaching/mentoring role, as well as resource materials and policies that support this instructional work. One of the challenges facing the Vermont nurse leaders was teaching direct care providers how to develop critical thinking skills in novice staff members. The Vermont Nurse Internship Project approached this challenge in a collaborative manner and has "raised the bar" for preceptor development with statewide, standardized, research- and theory-based preceptor instruction and support. Based on 7 years of intensive work with preceptor development, the nurse leaders have added to the role and responsibilities of the preceptor by delineating the Protector and Evaluator components of the role and specifying critical thinking development, documentation of evidence, and team leading responsibilities.