Professional development through preceptorship.

Preceptor programs provide new staff with planned, individualized orientation while easing the transition into a new work environment. In this article, the evolution and evaluation of preceptorships at a large academic medical center are described. The development of a conceptual framework and the orientation process model provided a means to organize the various components of orientation and to design individualized developmental plans for new employees. Based on data collected from preceptors, unit staff members, and new nurses, the impact of preceptor programs on staff satisfaction and the professional development of nurses is examined.