Preceptor Information

In this section of the School of Nursing and Midwifery website, preceptors can access a wide variety of information relating to the role of preceptor to student nurses while on clinical placement. If you have any further questions in relation to preceptorship, please contact the CPC or the Link Lecturer in your ward/unit /area.

UCC Preceptorship Coordinator is Caroline O'Connor (email: C.OConnor@ucc.ie)

ONLINE PRECEPTORSHIP

Online preceptorship programme

HSELand have launched a National Online Preceptorship programme -"Preceptorship in Practice" for all registered nurses and midwives to undertake prior to undertaking the role of preceptor for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students. This programme is also for preceptors who require to refresh their knowledge and skills of their preceptorship role.

The programme has been awarded Category 1 approval (CEU 1 point) by NMBI until Jan 2024. Once you have taken this programme, please attend one of the workshops in the Centers of Nurse Education(CNE’s) to meet and engage with other preceptors and discuss experiences of being a preceptor as well as trouble shoot some common issues that arise from time to time.

Please ensure that you when you register for workshops in the CNE that you forward your HSELand certificate as evidence you have completed the theory programme.

Line manager discretion will apply when putting forward participants for the workshop.

The following are criteria to undertake the preceptorship programme:

A nurse/midwife :

must be registered 6 months with NMBI

if it has been 3 years since they have completed a Nursing Degree or an equivalent programme that includes a module/unit of teaching, learning and assessment

Or

if they have been a preceptor and require to refresh their knowledge and skills of preceptorship

Or

if they are new to the preceptor role

Or

self-assesses the need to take the programme.

A recommendation from NMBI is to undertake regular updates (refresher of online programme / workshops) every 2 -3 years.

Newsletter

Preceptorship Newsletter Sept2023

Disability Support Services UCC - information

Nursing and Midwifery programmes are identified under the UCC Department of Academic Affairs and Governance as subject to Fitness and Practice.

Each year of the programme students will be asked to make a declaration (self-disclosure form) as to any concerns you may have as to you own Fitness to Practise that arises from a health and/or a criminal matter. FTP criminal matters are addressed through student Garda Vetting.

If you have indicated a health concern, your self-declaration at registration will trigger an email which will take you though the next step and you will be asked to complete an online self-disclosure form. This email will be a system generated email from ITS.iEnabler.System@mail3.ucc.ie (a no reply address). If you have made a self-declaration at registration and have not received the email or wish to make a declaration at any time during your studies, please contact your UCC School who will be able to assist you with your query.

Many people with health conditions or disabilities or specific learning difficulties are able to practise with or without adjustments to support their practise and are legally supported in this by the Equal Status Act 2000 – 2015. By declaring a Fitness to Practise health concern, we can ensure that, where possible, the University will make reasonable accommodation to support you during your studies.

The Disability Support Service can also advise on what reasonable accommodations may be provided when a student begins a programme subject to UCC’s Fitness to Practice policy.

You may also wish to check out the UCC Student Supports Available.

Neurodivergence in the Clinical Placement setting

According to Cosshall (2020,p30) “every organisation will already include a probably large but hidden neurodiverse population”.

RCN (2014) claim Neurodiversity' is a phrase first introduced in the 1980’s by Judy Singer.

Neurodiversity is a term used to describe a range of neurological differences including:

Dyslexia
Dyspraxia (also called Developmental Coordination Disorder, or DCD)
Dyscalculia
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

These conditions very often co-occur and many symptoms overlap.

Neurodiversity refers to a variations in the way the brain functions; it can manifest in mood, behaviour and other cognitive functions.

Neurodiverse groups may be more highly represented in Health and Social care Professions than the general population.

There are many strengths in neurodiversity, such as problem solving skills, difference ways of thinking, empathy, creativity and are very often practically strong.

At the heart of neurodiversity is the idea that individual differences are not weaknesses, but that society imposes expectations based on a majority neurotypical population. When not met, this can lead to challenges.

Workplaces are mainly designed to suit the 90% of the population who are neurotypical. Rather than attempting to change neurodivergent individuals to fit with the workplace, we need to be supporting them to be the best health care professionals they can be.

There are many reasons that inclusive and diverse workforces are something to strive for. We all have different skills and experiences that can enrich workplaces. Good employment practices ensure we can access their talents.

Neurodivergent individuals are often attracted to nursing and other health care professions because of their inherent qualities, for example being good team workers, caring and compassionate, resilient, determined, creative and see different perspectives. Neurodiverse individuals often have strengths in problem solving, are empathetic and can view things differently. Identifying and developing all these strengths will bring benefits to workforce teams.

Some key points to remember:

What works will be different for each individual.

As many people have more than one neurodivergent condition, effects may overlap and therefore a variety of strategies and adjustments may be required.

Many of the divergent conditions are part of a spectrum and therefore people may not experience all of the difficulties or may do so at different levels and at different times.

In many cases the neuro divergent nurse is the best person to know what will work for them, along with accommodations from diagnostic reports.

Nurses still need to meet all the professional requirements to be safe and effective practitioners and meet standards of competency.

The following link to the RCN is the source of the above information, where you will find very helpful information in relation to reasonable accommodations that can be put into Clinical Practice for both staff and students

The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Student Disability Support Officer is Caroline Egan caroline.egan@ucc.ie who also links very closely with DSS and the Clinical Placements.