Abstract
Background: Professional grooming and professional development are important for growth not just positive image but also respect in the place of work. Objectives: The objective of the study was to check the influence of personal characteristics of preceptor on professional grooming of nursing students. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, qualitative, correlational study design was used to check the relationship between preceptor characteristics and professional grooming of nursing students. The study was carried out in 117 students of under graduation from LSN, the University of Lahore. Convenient sampling technique was used for data collection. Inventory of Learning Environment (CLEI=19), preceptorship relationship scale, self-esteem scale, assessment of clinical professional competence questionnaire and registered nurse 'readiness' for work questionnaire were used in this study after informed consent. Results: The results of the study was positive significant relationship was found between personal characteristics of preceptor and professional grooming of student nurses which was checked by Pearson correlational test on SPSS version 23. The responses of significant values of preceptor personal characteristics and professional grooming were 1 and 0.616 and significant values were p>0.000. Above values showed the positive significant relationship between variables. Conclusion: Preceptor knowledge based on theoretical and practical, and personal characteristics of the preceptor was proved important components in this study. Most of the students, who participated in this research, have perceived the positive significant relationship between preceptor characteristics and professional grooming which enhanced the self-esteem, nursing professional behavior/competence and readiness for work related to the clinical learning environment. Moreover, according to the results of the study, efforts should be involved by stakeholders to develop the relationship between preceptor and students for the production of competent nurses in the future.