Preceptor Characteristics and Career Support Systems of Public Health Nurses from Local Governments with Public Health Centers: A Nationwide Survey

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of public health nurse (PHN) preceptors and the career development support systems in the nationwide local governments in which the public health centers were located.

Methods: A nationwide anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted from 2012 to 2015 for PHNs who precepted novice PHNs and were employed by local governments in which the public health centers were located.

Results: Returned were 335 (42.5%) usable responses. PHNs who had experiences fostered by preceptors were 34.9%. Many (45.7%) of the PHN preceptors were educated in technical nursing schools. The majority (88.1%) of novice PHNs being fostered was educated in universities. Preceptors’ career stages were mainly managerial in the prefectures and later-middle in others. Preceptors were asked if they could attend training and 76.1% responded that they could; however actual attendance was 67.2%. The meetings to discuss PHN career development held more than once a month were 33.0%. The frequency of case conferences had significant differences according to the type of municipality.

Discussion: Preceptor trainings, PHN career development meetings, and case conferences need to be more highly developed. The system should gradually provide more support for PHN preceptors in their early-middle career by PHNs in their later-middle or managerial positions.