Self-efficacy of preceptors in the community: a partnership between service and education

Developing partnerships between service and education is one strategy to en hance student learning. A pre-test-post-test design was used to compare cha nges in perceptions of self-efficacy expectations in the supervision of a t eam of four senior nursing students. A convenience sample of eight communit y practitioners completed the Community Advisor Self-Efficacy (CASE) questi onnaire prior to and following a 13 week community health practicum. Follow ing the community practicum, the preceptors were also invited to attend a f ocus group to discuss their experience. No significant differences were found between the pre- and post-self-effica cy scores. Community practitioners felt reasonably confident in assuming th e preceptor role. They felt most efficacious in encouraging students to use agency personnel and in providing student feedback, but somewhat less conf ident in areas such as selecting learning experiences congruent with course objectives, and trusting the students' readiness to work with communities. All strategies to assist the preceptors in assuming their role were consid ered helpful. Evidence of the preceptors and faculty advisors working in pa rtnerships with the students was not clearly evident. Findings are being us ed to refine strategies for preparing and supporting agency personnel for t heir role in working with students.