Abstract:
seventy-eight diploma nursing students participated
(from a class of 112 students) in completing the Coopersmith
Self-Esteem Inventory administered by mailed questionnaire
before and at the end of the preceptorship. Also a rating
form was completed by 70 preceptors to determine how the
observed level of self-confidence compared to self-reported
self-esteem at the end of the preceptorship program. As
well, four preceptors and five preceptees completed weekly
diaries and six preceptors and six preceptees participated
in weekly phone interviews with the investigator.
Overall, self-esteem went up after the preceptorship.
A comparison was made between the pretest and posttest using
the t-test (dependent paired samples). Significant
difference (p=.05) was demonstrated.
Self-confidence ratings by preceptors were inaccurate
as they had no relation to the self-reported self-esteem
level of students. The diaries and interviews of preceptors
and preceptees were a rich source of data as well.
