Preceptorship

Preceptorship is a period, usually the first months of a new registrant's first UK post, during which they are supported by a named preceptor: an experienced registered colleague in the same profession. The person being supported is the preceptee. NHS England's national framework describes the purpose as supporting newly registered practitioners to build confidence and competence as they move from student to autonomous professional.

Preceptorship is set by employers, guided by the regulators:

• The NMC published its Principles for preceptorship in 2020. The NMC says preceptorship is voluntary, but recommends it for newly registered professionals, people joining a new part of the register, returners and professionals coming to work in the UK from within or outside the EU and EEA.
• The HCPC published its own principles on 30 November 2023, with a section on preceptorship for registrants who join through its international route.

NHS England's National preceptorship framework for nursing (October 2022) sets core and gold standards for employers in England:

• Length: a minimum of 6 months as the core standard, and a minimum of 12 months as the gold standard.
• Supernumerary time: at least two weeks, equal to 75 hours, in addition to induction.
• Meetings: a first meeting with the preceptor within two weeks of starting, then at least an interim and a final sign-off meeting, each about an hour with protected time.
• Preceptors: at least 12 months' experience after registration, and at gold standard no more than two preceptees each.
• Preceptor time: eight hours' protected time a year at core standard and 12 hours at gold standard.

The framework covers all newly registered practitioners and recognises that international registrants and returners also benefit.

Internationally educated nurses usually start preceptorship once they have passed the OSCE and received their NMC PIN, typically in a Band 5 post. The HCPC notes that for international registrants, preceptorship can also support acculturation to a new working environment and to living in the UK. Ask your employer for its preceptorship policy before you start, so you know how long the programme lasts and what protected time you will get.

See our NMC OSCE guide and nurses in the UK guide for the steps before your first post.

• Confusing preceptorship with probation. Probation is an employment term; preceptorship is support and development.
• No protected time in practice because of staffing. The framework recommends that each organisation has a nominated preceptorship lead, so raise it with them.
• Assuming it affects your registration. The NMC describes preceptorship as voluntary, so completing it is not a condition of staying on the register.
• Standards differ by nation. The NHS England framework applies in England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, which the HCPC summarises by UK nation.