Developing a preceptor program: what are the ingredients?

Facilitating the orientation process has historically been the responsibility of staff development personnel. In recent years, hospitals have experienced the need to enhance the clinical orientation of new nurses; thus, the preceptor has emerged as a viable means of orienting nurses to the clinical setting and in socializing the graduate nurse to the role of a professional nurse. This article discusses the preceptor program for nurse orientation at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.