The development of a public health nurses precepting experiential learning scale.

Objectives　The Japanese government has supported public health nurses' systematic career development and preceptors' learning. Previous studies on precepting public health nurses indicated the value of precepting for career development. However, assessment scales for preceptor learning were not found. The purpose of this study was to develop the "PHN Precepting Experiential Learning Scale" (PHN-PELS) based on Kolb's experiential learning theory.Methods　This study included three phases of questionnaire development. First, the preliminary qualitative pilot study resulted in the PHN-PELS. The second pilot study was a questionnaire survey, returned by 52 (54.2%) public health nurses (PHNs) who had examined the validity and modified the items. Finally, a nation-wide questionnaire survey was conducted for PHNs who precepted novice PHNs in public health units from 2012 to 2016.Results　Of the 868 questionnaires mailed to 86 public health units, 438 (59.4%) were returned with 378 (43.5%) valid responses. PHN-PELS has 20 items forming four sub-scales, with confirmed content validity, construct validity, and reliability (α>.7). Sub-scales were: "Role Performance of Fostering Novice PHN," "Self-development as a PHN," "Sharing to Foster Novice PHN," and "Improving Career Development Environment."Conclusion　Scale development of the PHN-PELS resulted in four sub-scales with 20 items; its validity and reliability were supported. The PHN-PELS measures experiential learning in precepting novice PHNs, therefore, its usability is recommended for preceptors to evaluate their experiential learning and for preceptor training program in selecting sub-scales as appropriate.