Guiding the Way: 5 Evidence-Based Strategies Every Nurse Preceptor Should Know

Being a preceptor is one of the most impactful and rewarding roles a nurse can take on. As a trusted guide, you help bridge the gap between classroom theory and the realities of clinical practice. But it’s also one of the most complex roles: balancing patient safety, teaching, coaching, and providing emotional support. Here’s how to excel using evidence-based strategies.

1. Recognize the Preceptor’s Role & Its Impact

Preceptors are far more than clinical instructors—they are ambassadors of nursing culture, shaping the professional identity, confidence, and clinical competence of new nurses. A strong preceptor–preceptee relationship is one of the most influential factors in improving new-graduate retention and reducing early-career turnover (L’Ecuyer, 2025).

Unfortunately, nursing has long battled the damaging stereotype of “nurses eating their young”—a form of horizontal violence that undermines growth and morale. As a preceptor, you carry the responsibility to foster a supportive, respectful environment where your preceptee feels safe to learn, ask questions, and grow.

It helps to recall your early days in nursing: What stood out to you? Who made you feel seen and supported? Strive to emulate those positive traits. High expectations are natural, but pairing them with patience, professionalism, and kindness builds trust and models the behaviors we want to sustain in nursing. As a leader and mentor, your guidance can lay the foundation for a nurse’s entire career.

2. Apply Evidence-Based Teaching Techniques

As the preceptor, there will be multiple opportunities throughout the shift to create teachable moments. Although new graduates may have a solid theoretical background in nursing, applying their knowledge to real-life patients is not yet fully developed. Developing clinical judgment requires experience and can be enhanced through proper teaching modalities. Drawing from American Nurse Journal’s guide, a mix of modeling, questioning, concept-focused teaching, reflection, and feedback supports clinical judgment in new nurses (Grube, 2023).

Modeling

• Modeling encompasses a range of strategies to guide new nurses in becoming experienced ones. As the preceptor, everything you do is done under the careful watch of the preceptee. Your words, actions, and decisions will most likely be emulated by those you train, so it is your obligation to ensure you represent yourself, your unit, and organization in a manner that is professional and elevates the status of nursing.  

• Nurses use all of their senses when assessing a patient. As you enter the patient room, your senses—eyes, ears, nose, and so on—focus on the patient and situation, and you automatically begin to determine what requires your utmost attention. With the preceptee by your side, they cannot hear your thoughts. Therefore, use "think-aloud" strategies to make your decision-making visible (“I see her breathing is shallow; let’s check her saturation.”)

Questioning – The Five-Minute Preceptor (5MP)

• Use the 5MP method, initially developed for medical students, which offers a structured approach to questioning. 

  • 1. Take a stand → ascertain the new grads understanding of the situation

  • 2. Probe evidence → identify any gaps in knowledge

  • 3. Teach general rules → address misunderstandings, review pertinent policies, procedures, and or guidelines

  • 4. Reinforce positives → praise for what was done right

  • 5. Correct gently → using constructive feedback provides guidance on any errors

• Example: “Why do you think this patient needs a unit of blood?” Then ask what labs or symptoms support that decision.

Concept-Based Teaching

• Concept-based learning focuses on understanding core concepts rather than memorizing facts, promoting a more profound understanding that can be applied across various contexts and subjects.  

• Utilizing concept-based teaching the preceptor can focus on concepts that relate to the patient diagnosis but also relate it to other experiences the preceptee may have while working on the unit. This builds a deeper understanding of the concept and applies the preceptors knowledge more effectively. 

• Some new graduates may be accustomed to this approach to learning, as their nursing curriculum may have been built on this foundation. 

• Think of it as encouraging deep learning through "bite-sized" concepts on unfamiliar diagnoses.

• Example: Ask them to teach you one key concept about a condition, such as DKA, before a quick huddle.

Reflection & Debrief

• Reflection can occur before, during, or after a situation with emphasis on self-questioning and feedback from others. 

• Debriefing occurs after an event or simulation with the sole intent to review what happened and what can be learned from the experience.

• Use end-of-shift debriefing to prompt reflection on what went well, with questions like: “What did you learn? What might you do differently next time?”

Feedback – The WRAP Framework 

• WRAP is a framework that enables the preceptor to provide constructive feedback to the preceptee, fostering an insightful review and shared improvement strategies (Besse & Vogelsang, 2018). 

  • Wonder: Ask the preceptee to self-assess (“What part do you feel proudest about?”)

  • Reinforce: Highlight strengths

  • Adjust: Identify one area for growth

  • Plan: Set concrete goals for next time

(Grube, 2023)

3. Build Competence & Confidence

Preceptors thrive with preparation. American Nurse Journal highlights the value of preceptor self-assessment tools like PSAT-40 and ongoing education in adult learning, communication, feedback, and conflict resolution—beyond an initial one-time session (L’Ecuyer et al., 2025).

Organizations should:

• Offer structured training

• Perform regular needs assessments

• Provide incentives and recognition to sustain preceptor engagement.

4. Advocate for System-Level Support

Even the best preceptor needs backing from leadership. That means:

• Protected time and lighter assignments

• Low preceptor–preceptee ratios

• Shared shifts to foster consistent mentorship

• Visible recognition of the preceptor’s role (L’Ecuyer, 2025)

This support alleviates stress for both parties and facilitates a smooth transition for new nurses.

5. Remember: You’re Shaping the Future of Nursing

By combining clinical expertise with evidence-based teaching, active reflection, and structured support, preceptors become powerful influencers in new nurse retention, satisfaction, and safe patient care. By accepting the role of preceptor, your dedication to the future of nursing is applauded and appreciated.

Final Takeaway for Preceptors:

You’re not just teaching tasks - you’re nurturing professional identity, clinical reasoning, and resilience in tomorrow’s nurses. Use these research-backed strategies to build competence, confidence, and caring for both your preceptee and yourself.

Your Turn:

What evidence-based techniques have you found most effective as a preceptor? How do you balance teaching and patient safety? Share your insights below!

References

Besse C. & Vogelsang L. (2018). The WRAP: An alternative to sandwich feedback in clinical nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(9), 570. doi:10.3928/01484834-20180815-12

Grube, T. (2023). New nurses and clinical judgement: Evidence-based strategies for nurse preceptors. American Nurse Journal, 18(6). doi: 10.51256/ANJ0623115

L’Ecuyer, K., Von Der Lancken, S., & Keeler, H. (2025). A culture of support enhances success. American Nurse Journal, 20(7). doi: 10.51256/ANJ0725130