Health-care students and professionals grow together at IH

Preceptorship is a formal relationship over a pre-determined length of time. The preceptor guides the preceptee in professional development and achieving pre-defined education goals.

"Our vision for all staff is to embody a reciprocal role throughout their health-care careers – that of a lifelong student as well as a mentor for others," says Aneta D'Angelo, Director, Clinical Education. "A positive learning environment enables us to integrate our future colleagues within the fabric of our work and sets our students up for early success as they transition from being a student to a health-care provider, which is a transformation within itself.”

Recognizing the importance of preceptorship, and IH's commitment to promoting supportive learning environments and continual learning, the IH Professional Practice Office created tools that allow staff to ask questions or receive guidance, as well as a Preceptor Community of Practice. Within this community, all staff can collaborate and access preceptor resources.

"Preceptorship not only provides an opportunity for students to consolidate their knowledge within their clinical practice, it is a critical recruitment opportunity for everyone in our organization. As soon as students walk through our doors, their decision-making to work with us begins," says Cheryl Whittleton, Chief Nursing Officer & Professional Practice Lead. "It is our challenge and opportunity to show our students they have made the right decision with Interior Health.”

Jennifer Thur, an Obstetrics Registered Nurse at Royal Inland Hospital, and Jessica Rathgeber, Obstetrics Nursing Student, went through the preceptorship process. 

Jennifer learned about herself as a perinatal nurse, including her strengths and where she needs to improve.

“I find that facilitating Jessica’s learning allowed me to see where I shine. It also helped me solidify my knowledge (see one, do one, teach one!),” she says.

Jennifer describes how, when you’re entrenched in the culture of a unit, you cannot always see it for what it is.

“When you move out of your normal role with the extra responsibility of ensuring your student or new staff member has a positive experience, one starts to notice norms that are likely not conducive to a supportive and safe culture. I definitely made some changes to my part in the team dynamics.”

Jessica previously worked on a medical floor, and was able to transfer her time management and prioritization skills into the perinatal setting. 

“I was nervous about being in the student/learner role again but Jenn and the other nurses created a safe, supportive environment for learning,” she says.

Both Jennifer and Jessica acknowledge when they chose nursing, they knew that lifelong learning would be a big part of their careers.

“As nurses, we need to be up-to-date and current on best evidence-based practice," Jessica says. "We are not always aware what is going to come through our doors, so we have to be on our toes and ready for anything.

“Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career. I can guarantee you that no two work days are going to be the exact same. There are so many different areas of nursing to explore and most health authorities offer funding and incentives for specialty-care areas.”

Check out the many career opportunities at Interior Health for current students and recent graduates.

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