Preceptorship and skill validation programs.

Nursing in the PACU is an art as well as a science. Development of competent nurses requires a systematic yet creative process. Competency is a measure of professionalism and a guarantee to customers. Ensuring competence requires administratively supported and well-organized mechanisms: preceptorship and skill validation. The preceptor program must be able to teach role delineation, socialization, clinical skills, and policy and procedure to orientees while supporting preceptors and providing feedback. Good preceptors are a valuable resource and deserve renumeration. Ongoing evaluation of the preceptor program monitors cost-effectiveness and expected outcomes. The PACU environment includes patients with a wide spectrum of ages and diagnoses. Application of new and changing technology makes skill validation imperative. An appropriate skill validation plan assesses nurses' performance and targets procedures that are high technology, high risk, or infrequently performed. Quality patient care and nurse retention are two potential outcomes dependent on good preceptor programs and skill validation.