Essential Competencies of Preceptors: A Focus on Working with APRN Students

Module 6: Communication and Conflict Resolution

Summary

Nurses' are familiar with therapeutic communication and are taught the components of communication early in their educational experience. Communication skills are a component of patient and staff satisfaction, patient safety and team effectiveness and a skill that always can be improved. Communication is also critical to a successful preceptor/student learning experience from the first meeting where the goals of the experience are developed to the final evaluation of student performance. Effective communication in a preceptor/student experience is based on the skills of intent, listening, advocacy, inquiry and silence. Using these skills allows the preceptor/student relationship to develop and learning to occur. Using these communication skills well increases the positive use of feedback to the student so learning can occur. The ability to influence student behavior through feedback is one of the most powerful tools a preceptor can master. Besides improving performance, feedback can prevent the conflicts that can occur in the relationship or resolve the conflicts if they develop. By honing communication skills to deliver effective feedback, the preceptor can create a transparent experience which can assist the student in developing skill.

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