I am sure you can all remember your first day of being a registered professional. Freshly ironed uniform, following the infection prevention and control uniform policy ‘to a T’, and arriving almost an hour early, just to make sure you weren’t late. We are a nurse, and all these years of studying, hard work, tears (lots and lots of tears) and determination have been worth it. Then suddenly you are hit with the reality of being a registered professional. A new workplace, accountability, sole responsibility, and sometimes solo working, and actually this fresh, shiny new nurse faces a whole new challenge which is the first year of registered practice.

Preceptorship has long been recognised as a vital bridge between qualification and confident, competent practice. Traditionally, when we talk about preceptorship, the conversation often centres on NHS trusts and hospital-based settings. Yet across health and social care, preceptorship has the power to make a world of difference.

Social care is evolving. We are seeing a rise in nursing apprentices, growing opportunities for senior care assistants to progress into registered roles, and an increasing number of internationally educated nurses who have moved to the UK and joined the NMC register. For all of these groups, the transition into professional practice can feel daunting. Preceptorship offers something invaluable: structured support, protected learning, and a sense of belonging during what can be one of the most challenging periods of a nurse’s career.

For nursing apprentices in social care, preceptorship helps bridge theory and practice in settings that are often less resourced than large acute hospitals. Apprentices may be learning while working in care homes, domiciliary care or community services, where they are expected to juggle complex needs, leadership responsibilities and autonomous decision-making early on. A strong preceptorship programme can help them grow into their role safely and confidently, reinforcing professional identity and standards while recognising the realities of social care practice.

Similarly, senior care assistants stepping into registered nursing roles bring a wealth of practical experience, but the shift in accountability and professional responsibility can be significant. Preceptorship acknowledges this transition, offering tailored support that builds on existing strengths while developing clinical judgment, leadership skills and confidence with NMC standards. Rather than assuming “they already know the setting”, preceptorship creates space for reflection, learning and professional growth.

Of course, preceptorship in health and social care is not without its challenges. Time pressures, staffing shortages and limited funding can make it difficult for providers to release preceptors or protect learning time. In some organisations, preceptorship may feel informal or inconsistent, relying heavily on goodwill rather than clear structure. There is also the risk that programmes designed with acute settings in mind are simply “lifted and shifted” into social care without recognising the unique context, pace and complexity of these environments.

Yet these challenges should not deter us. Instead, they highlight the need for preceptorship that is flexible, context-specific and genuinely embedded into organisational culture. When done well, the benefits are clear. Preceptorship supports safe practice, builds confidence, and helps nurses feel supported rather than overwhelmed. Crucially, it also improves retention. Nurses who feel invested in, listened to and developed are far more likely to stay, grow and become future leaders within their organisation.

For social care providers, preceptorship is not just a “nice to have” – it is a strategic opportunity. Providers can reduce turnover, strengthen teams and improve continuity of care for the people they support. Preceptorship can also help raise the profile of social care as a rewarding, professional and sustainable career choice.

As the nursing workforce continues to diversify and the boundaries between health and social care become increasingly interconnected, it is time to broaden our understanding. Preceptorship belongs wherever nurses practise – including care homes, community services and social care settings. 

Perhaps the question is no longer whether social care can offer preceptorship, but whether we can afford not to.