Welcome to the Preceptorship Case Study Library
The Preceptorship Case Study Library is a growing collection of case studies, exclusively available to our Academy Members and their wider workforce, that highlight how organisations are supporting early career nurses and midwives. Showcasing innovation, impact, and learning from across health and care, it offers a practical resource for our Members’ preceptorship leads, educators, and policymakers.
Building on the insights of our third national Preceptorship Pulse Check survey findings, the Case Study Library shares real-world examples of how different approaches are making a difference in practice.
Each case study has been generously submitted by individuals and organisations and is largely presented in their own words. While FNF applies only a light-touch review, the wording and content remain the responsibility of the contributors. Case studies are provided for information and inspiration only and have not been independently fact-checked or verified. If you would like to connect with any of the organisations featured, please contact us here – noting that only those who have given consent will be put in touch. if you would like to contribute your own experience please click here.
Mandatory Two Year Programme for Community and Prison Nurses
Oxleas
The Oxleas nursing preceptorship programme has gone through great change over the last two years, as we have moved from providing nursing care in London and Kent, to also providing healthcare in prisons in the south-west of England. We also started our second year ‘Beyond’ preceptorship programme, and moved our competency completion from a paper booklet to an online platform that is also used as a resource hub.
Using our BAFO framework (Building a Fairer Oxleas) and focusing on equity of provision has been a key focus whilst bringing our nursing preceptorship and Beyond programme to colleagues across the trust. For staff in London and Kent we host classroom sessions in a central venue. For staff in the South West of England we deliver the programme via Microsoft Teams. We have recently trialed classroom sessions in the South West, hosted by colleagues who are based there, but the delivery of Beyond remains on Teams.
Increasing Inclusivity of Preceptorship Offering
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust
Following on from being awarded the Interim Quality Mark for Nursing in 2023 and subsequent publications from HCPC and the National AHP Preceptorship framework, we wished to improve upon the current preceptorship offering to be more inclusive of diverse professional staff groups, as well as our retention of staff within their first 24 months. We engaged with stakeholders across various disciplines to co-produce the theoretical content and increased the current provision of 4 preceptorship study days to 5.
We encouraged preceptees to evaluate their experiences at the end of month 1, month 6 and month 12 (sign-off) to better understand the challenges they faced, as well as aspects that they enjoyed/benefited from. We also liaised with our Head of Workforce to produce regular data informing me of staff retention at 12 month and 24 months since preceptorship commencement.
Profession-wide Preceptorship and Beyond
Barts Health NHS Trust
The Barts Health NHS Trust Core Preceptorship Programme was relaunched in April 2024 as a multi-professional initiative designed to support all newly qualified practitioners, including nurses, midwives, nurse associates, allied health professionals, and healthcare scientists. The programme comprises nine study days delivered over a 12-month period and offers a blended learning experience that includes face-to-face workshops, workplace-based learning, pastoral support, and coaching from senior staff.
The programme aims to provide structured support that enables preceptees to apply their learning directly to clinical practice. It encourages individuals to identify their own professional development needs, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of reflection. Ultimately, the programme seeks to offer a positive and empowering experience that fosters confidence, a strong sense of belonging, and a deeper connection to the organisation.
Multi-professional Preceptorship in Primary Care
Primary Care Workforce Academy, Southeast London Workforce Development Hub
Building on our achievement of the Interim National Preceptorship Quality Mark for nursing, we are proud to be among the early implementers expanding preceptorship into a truly multi-professional model. As a result of this commitment, in July 2025 we became the first primary care organisation to be awarded the full National Preceptorship Quality Mark. Our vision is to create a fluid, inclusive, and inspiring experience for all new registered health care professionals who are new to entering primary care.
The key innovation in this programme is its ability to be wrapped around primary care services, recognising the unique system working and challenges that this field represents, alongside flexibility in the delivery, which is key to local support and sustainability. Recognising that each professional brings unique experiences and needs, we have designed the programme to ensure protected learning time is used in the most meaningful and impactful way, with minimal disruption to clinical demands of General Practices.
An Innovative, Inclusive Approach to Virtual Learning
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
At Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, preceptorship is a structured, mandatory programme supporting newly registered nurses through two tailored pathways: a 12-month standard route and a six-month accelerated option for internationally educated nurses. Delivered virtually across three hospitals and eight satellite units, the programme includes themed study days, face-to-face clinical skills training, and access to a digital learning platform.
What sets this model apart is its innovative, inclusive approach to virtual learning—using gamification, real-time engagement tools, and multidisciplinary teaching to create a dynamic experience. With built-in flexibility, PNA support, and a credited Level 6/7 module, the programme not only supports professional transition but actively invests in each nurse’s long-term development.
Preceptorship in Social Care
Exemplar Health Care
A lot of work has gone into the support of students within Social Care and the development of preceptorship at Exemplar Health Care. This has been to attract nurses into the sector, to support with the workforce and give them an understanding of what careers in Social Care entail, opportunities for progression and development and support available as a newly qualified, return to practice or internationally educated nurse.
A 6-week supernumerary period is given to work alongside the preceptor, to work through a structured programme to gain skills, knowledge and competencies relevant to that service. This ensures a supported transition into the role and an understanding of the responsibilities in complex care to be a safe, efficient and competent autonomous professional.
Designing a Flexible, Multi-site Preceptorship Programme
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has developed a flexible, multi-site Preceptorship Programme, recognised by the National Preceptorship Interim Quality Mark (NIQM). Delivered over 12 months, and designed with stakeholder feedback and strong leadership involvement, it supports a diverse cohort of preceptees—including internationally educated nurses—through a structured, locally accessible, and professionally enriching journey. A standout feature is the inclusion of interactive, high-impact sessions, such as a courtroom-style record keeping day, with content continuously improved based on participant insight.
Preceptors are supported through 12 hours of protected time annually and access to self-directed CPD via the Elevate platform—including an “Introduction to Coaching Skills” module—helping them grow in confidence and capability. The programme is strengthened by collaboration with Higher Education Institutions. Following our achievement of the NIQM, we also extended access to local hospices and CIC providers—and plan to do the same when we launch our multi-professional programme.
Aligning with national frameworks
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT)
As most, we recognised a key challenge: newly registered practitioners often felt unprepared and unsupported, especially during their transition into complex mental health environments. To address this, the nurse Education team restructured our preceptorship programme into a comprehensive journey that offers stability, growth, and inclusion. With executive backing, a multidisciplinary approach, and mandated attendance, the new model promotes confidence, professional development, and long-term retention.
This initiative is exceptional in that it fully aligns with the NHS England National Preceptorship Framework (2022) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Preceptorship Principles. It upholds all key quality domains, including organisational culture, preceptee empowerment, and preceptor preparation, demonstrating our commitment to a nationally recognised standard.
Disclaimer: The case studies are provided for information and inspiration only, and do not constitute professional, clinical, or legal advice. While FNF applies a light-touch review, it does not independently fact-check, verify, or endorse the content. Responsibility for accuracy rests solely with the contributor. FNF accepts no liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies, nor for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from reliance on the information provided. Readers should exercise their own judgement and seek appropriate professional guidance where necessary. FNF reserves the right to amend or remove case studies at its discretion.
