Linda Chapman describes how one trust developed a framework that provides flexible learning and structured support for novice registered practitioners, to better meet their needs in clinical practice

The need to support high numbers of new registrants simultaneously at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, led to the development of a preceptorship pathway. The ‘roll-on, roll-off’ structure allows newly registered nurses and allied health professionals to start preceptorship as soon as they take up their roles. Essential competencies are negotiated with managers and achieved through subject-focused teaching sessions, workplace preceptorship, reflection, peer support and the use of distance-learning materials that link to the NHS knowledge and skills framework and appraisal requirements. Evaluation suggests that the pathway provides a high standard of learning and support, but development will continue, particularly in relation to monitoring and recording new practitioners’ involvement in clinical incidents and their completion rates.