The Australian Mentor Centre has signficant expertise in the area of supporting nurses through their mentoring activities.  In 2008, we have extended this support to senior nursing leaders and nursing preceptors through our nursing leadership programs.

One of our new programs in 2009 is the Preceptor Leadership Program or PLP for short.  So - what is PLP?

All nurses have a professional responsibility to foster the next nursing workforce - indeed this is part of the overall nursing competencies.  Nursing preceptors who engage with student nurses, graduate nurses, and re-entry nurses play an important role in fostering how the future nursing workforce experiences nursing and are key in how new nurses gain their nursing competencies.  Nursing leadership programs are often focussed on nurses who hold 'titled' leadership positions; however, nursing preceptors are also nursing leaders and the Preceptor Leadership Program acknowledges this important developmental activity.

The Preceptor Leadership Program is designed to enhance the leadership skills of nursing preceptors and foster ongoing professional development in this important role.  The Program is designed around two core development functions including:

• The Exemplary Leadership Model by Kouzes and Posner.
• A Mentoring Group or Mentoring Circle approach to strengthen peer-to-peer support and encourage reflection, discussion, cross-function development and ongoing learning.

Additionally, nursing preceptors are also exposed to contemporary Australian research in nursing competency models, including the Ascent to Competence Model by Dr Tracy Levett-Jones of the University of Newcastle.

Of note - the Preceptor Leadership Program is not a clinical program.  It is designed to compliment formal preceptor training which focuses on clinical skills, teaching skills and adult learning skills.

We now invite nursing organisations to find out more about how the Preceptor Leadership Program can be implemented in 2009 to provide this unique developmental opportunity to their nursing preceptors.  Click here to download a flyer. 

Contact the Australian Mentor Centre on info@australianmentorcentre.com.au or call 1800 100 848 to request further information.