Fostering a culture of learning — and teaching

“Learners tell us that they feel embedded in teams where they are not just welcomed, but valued,” says Kara Ronald, Vice President of Professional Practice. “They also feel encouraged to apply to join the Sinai Health team after they complete their education.”

As evidence of Sinai Health’s rich culture of education and learning, some of these learners have become preceptors themselves after making the transition to working at Sinai Health. 

A safe, yet challenging environment

Corey, now a Physiotherapist at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital says when he was a student, he found a “safe, yet challenging environment” during his placement at the hospital. “I learned all of the clinical and technical skills that allow me to provide evidence-informed care,” he says. “I also developed skills in areas of passion for me, including patient communication and advocacy, which continue to be important parts of my physiotherapy practice.”

Corey’s positive learning experience led him to apply for a role at Hennick Bridgepoint when he completed his training and motivated him to eventually become a preceptor as well. “I was inspired by my team in the Medical Rehabilitation program and the way they work together to support patients in achieving their goals,” he says. “I think this is the perfect environment for a student to learn how to be part of an interprofessional care team.”

This year, Corey was recognized with a Distinguished Educator Award at Sinai Health’s annual Excellence in Education Awards for going above and beyond to cultivate a rich learning environment.

Paying it forward

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Jessica, a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant, also completed a clinical placement at Hennick Bridgepoint. After she was hired, she says she wanted to provide students with the same learning opportunity that set her up for success. “As I started my career I felt comfortable working alongside a Recreation Therapist, providing one-on-one patient care as well as group programs,” she says. “I had a great experience with my preceptor and the Therapeutic Recreation team and I wanted to offer a student the same chance to gain experience in the real world.”

For Jessica, helping her first student, Stephanie, to learn and prepare to work independently as a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant has been a rewarding experience. “I would definitely be a preceptor again in the future,” she says.

Finding a new career path

Sharon Choo, a Registered Nurse (RN) at Mount Sinai Hospital, says her placement on the 14 South surgical unit at Mount Sinai allowed her to learn more than she had in any other placement. “A large contributor to that was the willingness of my preceptor and the other nurses to teach and support my skills development by offering opportunities to learn.”

After finishing her placement, she was hired on and became a preceptor herself. Her experiences as both a learner and educator eventually led her to focus her career on nursing education. “As a preceptor I aimed to continue to cultivate that learning environment that I experienced. And now I continue to do that in my current role as Manager of Nursing Education,” she says.
 

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Passing down a love of education

Sharon’s student Jessica, went on to join the team on 14 South and was inspired to become a preceptor. “I strongly believe that the future of nursing is dependent on the quality of education and support that we provide to students and new nurses,” she says. Jessica’s passion for education led her to make a career change to work in Nursing Education.

Before she moved to Nursing Education, Jessica trained Ahsher on 14 South. He soon joined that team and decided to be a preceptor, too. “I find fulfillment in supporting the growth of student learners,” he says. “I believe that a strong foundation in education not only shapes competent future nurses, but also strengthens the overall health-care team.” Ahsher has since taken on a role mentoring clinical externs. He says that being involved in education has enabled him to give back to the profession by creating a supportive learning environment, “just like my preceptor once did for me.”

Find out more about preceptor training at Sinai Health.