Colette Ferguson, Dorothy Whyte and Charles Anderson describe their preliminary findings from a qualitative research study which aimed to discover student nurse experiences of preceptorship during their community placement.

Colette Ferguson MSc, RGN, RMN, RCNT, RNT, at the time of writing was a Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Bell College, Hamilton, Scotland.
Dorothy Whyte BA, PhD, RGN, RSCN, HV, RNT is an Honorary Fellow, Dept. of Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh.
Charles Anderson MA, MEd, PhD is a Lecturer, Dept. of Higher & Further Education, University of Edinburgh.

Article accepted for publication October 1998.