[DCCCRNn2005]

I need some advice. First off I may be way too sensitive about this, but as you gathered from the title I am having problems with my preceptor. I am a new grad (may, licensed in June) in July I started at this hospital, which has a special new grad program where for like 10weeks you work in different units, and have classes to refresh from school, P&P (you get it) Well two weeks ago i finally made it to my permanent unit (thank God). I love the unit and have a great time but the preceptor I was assigned is driving me bananas!!! It's like what ever I do she reminds me of every single stinking thing (like "you need to assess rm 673" or "make sure you don't flick the bubble out of the lovenox") and when I let her know that I have done it or am aware, it's like she gets this attitude as if I'm supposed to bow down and thank her for reminding me to do something thats been done. Since I've been on this unit i've built up to 3 pt's by myself (they are assigned to her but we decide which i should take and they are then basically "mine) I feel very comfortable with this. And it may be my pride talking, but if they are mine, and i am responsible then let me do everything. If I don't then how will i know how/if I can handle it. Don't pop in and give my meds while i'm in another room, they can wait 5 more minutes till i get there, right?
But the thing that kills me most, (and is another pride thing) is report. I think of report as telling the next shift what you have done, what's going on and what needs to be done. Well for the past week I have barely been able to get a word in edgewise. I did all the work and yet she is reporting like she's been devoted to only them all night. I want to say "shut up it's my work, my pt.s let me talk, you've told about the last 5 may I speak?" but i don't want to be rude to her. I can't talk to my educator till at least Monday and I'm not sure if I should just see about a new preceptor all together, I'm thinking this may not be a good fit. I need some advice from you all, what is the best course of action???

[RNRao]

Hello, my heart goes out to you because I too had a similar situation. I feel that you as the new nurse need to discuss you concern with you preceptor and go mfrom there. If she recieves you well she will back off if not then you go to your unit manager/educator and discuss the situation futher. This is your time and you need to be getting everything you can out of it because once your on your own thats it.....Good luck Alison......peace.

[SherBearRN]

Like the two of you, I have had problems, too. What I did is I asked my manager for a different preceptor. It helped! Preceptors should not be doing everything for you. They should stimulate your critical thinking ability by asking you questions rather than taking the attitude of, "here, I'll do it for you." Ask you manager if any preceptors on your floor do this. Explain you want to use your knowledge and skills from nursing school, but you want the critical thinking challenge that an experienced nurse/preceptor could offer. I wish I would have asked my manager earlier for this. Instead, I went through 5 different preceptors before I finally asked for one that I could be with for the remainder of my orientation that would challenge me. Don't wait like I did. If you feel like this preceptor is not right for you, then you could be missing some excellent opportunities from one who would meet your needs. Don't hesitate to discuss this with your manager.

[kellyo]

Perhaps before next report, you could to say, "I really have learned so much from the way you give report. I'd like to start giving my own report, so I can continue to build my confidence for when I'm on my own." This doesn't sound rude, plus it adds a bit of gratitute towards her without bowing down...

[Gail-Anne]

I'm with Kellyo... you'll still be working with this nurse later, as well, you don't want the other staff to think that you run to the boss with everything.Try to work it out yourself first, shows maturity and responsibility. The last person she/he oriented may have been a completely, unsafe dolt!
Try what Kellyo said and do similiar statements re: other care...." I think I've got a good grip on that now, thanks, how about I continue with my pts and we meet up late morning? That way I'll be on my own but still know I can call on you if I have anything I'm not sure of".
If you have to change perceptors, let her/him know that you've learned from them, however, your style may be more suited to someone else. Good luck.

[fergus51]

Originally Posted by kellyo

Perhaps before next report, you could to say, "I really have learned so much from the way you give report. I'd like to start giving my own report, so I can continue to build my confidence for when I'm on my own." This doesn't sound rude, plus it adds a bit of gratitute towards her without bowing down...

I think this is the best approach. The preceptor probably doesn't even know that you are having problems with her. Put yourself in her shoes for a second. It's a tough balance precepting someone. If you don't remind them of little things or help out by giving meds for them here or there, they can feel they are being thrown to the wolves alone. If you do help, you are being overbearing. This is a good practice for being a real nurse, you should learn to ask for what you need.

[jbeck817]

This is ridiculous because a)you are NOT a student anymore and b)you have your own damn license and not just anyone can acheive that.
When this happened to me, I talked to my preceptor. We tried it again but she finally understood that it was her not me, and we requested a different preceptor through the nurse educator. My new preceptor totally understood the concept of letting a new grad actually BE the nurse. She was an inspiration to me and the kind of preceptor that I want to be. She was in my corner from day one and I can't tell you what a relief that was.
It is difficult but try to hang. These are what will make you a good nurse and eventually a good preceptor.

[oldiebutgoodie]

I think these problems are just common among preceptors. Most of my preceptors have been micro-managers, also reminding me of stuff that I am very aware I have to do (or I have already done). The really good ones stay out of my face, and seem to know when to pitch in and when to let me figure it out. These tend to be the older nurses, for the most part. The younger nurses don't seem (on my unit, anyway) to know when to butt out.

I have heard some horror stories from other classmates of mine from nursing school. The common remark from preceptors seems to be, "What on earth do they teach you in nursing school?"

Oh, well. Hang in there.

Oldiebutgoodie

[christvs]

Wow, this totally reminded me of the preceptor I had today! I am at the very end of my 12 weeks of orientation on my med/surg unit (tomorrow is my last day!!!) & the preceptor I was with today (I've had several of them now) was helpful but she was annoying me because she would point out obvious things to me at times such as "You may want to call the doc on that" (I already did) or "As an RN you'll have to give report to the CNA" (I know that! How obvious! I've given report only about 50 gazillion times to them!) But I think she was saying every little thing to me today cuz I've only worked with her a few times, so she probably wasn't sure yet how much I knew. By the end of the night she told me a couple of times how well I was doing & that she thought I was ready to be on my own. So that was nice to hear. But honestly, I'm happy I'm done with orientation tomorrow. I know I will always have other nurses around me to ask questions when I need to, but now I am SO READY to just be on my own!!!
-Christine

[tmarie75]

I think part of the problem may be that your preceptor isn't sure what you did or didn't learn from nursing school and she is just trying to protect her own license in the process. I'm sure your situation is frustrating, but it could be a lot worse (you could have a preceptor that doesn't try to help at all). Before discussing things with your nurse manager and/or educator, it is only fair that you go to your preceptor first, talk to her, and try to handle the situation between the two of you before you go to anyone else. If you can't settle things between yourselves, then get your manager and/or educator involved. Good luck to ya!!