Lived experiences of clinical preceptors: a phenomenological study.

The aim of this study is to explore the clinical preceptors' experiences and the meanings of their lives in clinical teaching. A phenomenological approach was adopted, and a 'snowballing' sampling method was used to recruit 20 clinical preceptors. Data were collected using audio-taped individual interviews. A content analysis was conducted and the results were clustered into four themes, which are (a) 'teaching is learning', (b) 'being unable to do what one would like to do', (c) 'experiencing bittersweet moments', and (d) 'being a role model and acting as a mother'. These findings demonstrate that the clinical preceptors are experiencing diverse feelings, both positive and negative. Strategies that address the needs of clinical preceptors must be developed in order to foster the positive experiences, and to retain experienced clinical preceptors.