Relationship between a preceptorship experience and role socialization of graduate nurses.

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effect of preceptorship on the socialization of the baccalaureate graduate nurse into roles of professional nurses. Two groups, one having a preceptorship experience in the final quarter of their baccalaureate program (n = 33) and one having the traditional course (n = 33), participated in the study. Both groups completed Schwerian's Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance on three testing occasions: prior to the course, immediately following the course, and the six months after graduation. There was a significant interaction effect between group and time. The preceptor group at the 6-month follow-up scored significantly higher on four of the six subscales as well as on the overall socialization instrument.