Preceptors' needs for faculty support.

When practicing nurses accept responsibility for preceptoring nursing students, they use and develop the teaching skills that are part of their professional practice. However, they need both support in the role and mentoring to develop their skills. Inservice educators and experienced preceptors often provide that support and education. Based on a qualitative study of preceptoring nurses, the author explores preceptor needs for support, the type of support required, and faculty roles in the provision of this support.