[cjblu]

Hi all. I am so happy I found this website. I have been in orientation for 2 weeks, and I am not having a good experience. Part of it is me, I am nervous most of the time, and seriously lacking self confidence on the job. My preceptor and I have been organizing our shift by me taking 2 patients, and her usually taking 1 or 2, and she tells me I can ask questions if needed, and we basically separate from there. She seems annoyed everytime I ask her something; about pt care or charting or whatever. Yesterday I asked if she could help me insert a foley (female patient), and she said, "Can you find someone else to help you, I have to get this admit done". Then she marches around showing me things, she never smiles or makes eye contact, and she seems to just be ****** that she has to precept me. I was wondering if I should talk to my nurse manager and ask for someone new, or just suck it up and deal with it. Should I confront her directly about it? (I am scheduled to be with her for the next 3 weeks)

[KatieBell]

I might request a new preceptor. Some people really hate to precept. Sometimes it helps to "break the ice" by saying, "I know that its a lot of extra work for you, and I don't know how you drew the short straw to precept me, but I really appreciate you showing me the ropes" Other times that can't help. Unfortunately you don't know whats going on in the preceptors life. She may normally enjoy precepting, but now her Mother is sick in LTC or something that she isn't talking about, totally unrelated to you.
Your orientation, however, is your time to get lots of help, and get comfortable. Seems she is unable for whatever reason to actually provide much support- so maybe a switch would be in order. I'm always enrvous to ask for a switch, as the preceptor was chosen for a reason...but if she isn't meeting your needs, try to get a switch...
Good Luck!

[Jennerizer]

I would ask for a different preceptor. It doesn't sound like she is giving you the time of day & what are you going to learn from that? I don't know why some nurses are so aggravated when they have to precept. I look forward to the day that I have a student or new nurse to help learn things. Good luck to you.

Jen

[sclig2001]

Hi cjblu-I like the lines of being upfront and honest but still using that method that katiebell suggested of using "nice" to get your point across. The one thing that is hard is to be assertive, especially when we are new. You also don't want the rep of being one who goes "behind people's backs". So, I'd sit down with her-place the cards on the table in a way that lets her know you recognize the burden it has created for ehr, and you wouldn't be so sure you'd welcome that "burden" if in her position-so you've been thinking of sharing that concern with your nurse manager to see if there is soomeone else so you could give her a break. A couple things will occur-she'll get the message and totally shape up her attitude or else if she should have serious things going on in her life and she can't manage-she'll agree with the plan to try someone new. In either case, she'll gain a new respect for you-whether she continues to work with you or not. You need to look for your educational needs first and ensure they are being met. I wish you luck! Sometimes people who act this way also just need a little recognition and an extra thank you-that may be because she isn't or hasn't been feeling recognized. Best of luck-you'll be fine!
Sclig2001

Originally Posted by cjblu

Hi all. I am so happy I found this website. I have been in orientation for 2 weeks, and I am not having a good experience. Part of it is me, I am nervous most of the time, and seriously lacking self confidence on the job. My preceptor and I have been organizing our shift by me taking 2 patients, and her usually taking 1 or 2, and she tells me I can ask questions if needed, and we basically separate from there. She seems annoyed everytime I ask her something; about pt care or charting or whatever. Yesterday I asked if she could help me insert a foley (female patient), and she said, "Can you find someone else to help you, I have to get this admit done". Then she marches around showing me things, she never smiles or makes eye contact, and she seems to just be ****** that she has to precept me. I was wondering if I should talk to my nurse manager and ask for someone new, or just suck it up and deal with it. Should I confront her directly about it? (I am scheduled to be with her for the next 3 weeks)

[Town & Country]

Tell your Nurse Manager that it's not a good fit and request a different preceptor.
Happens all the time. Nothing unusual about that.

[Jessy_RN]

I agree with asking for a new preceptor.

Good luck.

[neonatalRN]

I would definitely ask for a new preceptor.

Hey, I am in Minneapolis, too!

Heidi

[nursing 101]

I didn't even start orientation yet at the hospital I'm employed. HR and the nurse manager on the first interview have insisted on letting them know if I have any problems with the precep. I have friends that work at the hospital and they have told me that they don't play about their new grads being precepted in the wrong atmosphere.
I would ask for another preceptor but let your current one know of your decision (in a nice way). I do believe in being upfront with people because they know down the line that you are not a back stabber, that you mean business and have the guts to stand up for yourself as well.

[Anagray]

Hi!
Sorry things aren't going so well.
I would actually tell her exactly how you feel. Use appropriate language and start with smoething like " I feel l you are upset with me, is there something..."
I had a preceptor that made me feel so anxious, unsure and even angry at times. It drove me nuts. Finally I broke down and told her how I felt. Strangely, my preceptor had NO CLUE she was making me feel like that and in turn she was actually very hurt that my preceptorship went almost all the way with such a heavy rock on my back. It was too late to switch a preceptor at this point - I only had 2 days left.
The bottome line is - you need to get as much out of this experience as you can - I didn't and I ended up having quite a few problems after I was on my own. Do whatever it takes to make this experience right - you probably will not have another chance. If your preceptor does not find a common ground with you, go to the coordinator.

Good luck.

[Bambury]

My advice is that you be respectful, but honest. Point out what you noticed, and how it's made you feel. Regardless of how she treats you afterwards, she will most likely have a new found respect for you. When I was doing my preceptorship, my RN was a bully. At times, I had to be the "mentor" to her, and calm her down, present her things from the correct perspective, etc. I also reported her behavior to my clinical professor, as well as the nurse manager. The preceptor was more careful, and aware afterwards. At the end of the season, she awarded me the highest marks, and also came up to apologize for her behavior.

I hope it'll go well with you too. It takes bravery to be respectfully honest. I hope you'll be brave!