Advice for a new preceptor

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

I've been a nurse for a little over a year, but I have 10 years experience in health care, including being a CNA in LTC and a tech in the ICU and ER. I'm now an RN in a CVICU. I found out last week that they gave me a student nurse. They left me a phone message and told me her first shift with me would be last Sunday. She's also a tech in our neuro ICU, so she's familiar with a lot of things. At first I was a little nervous, but working with her has actually kept me on my toes and made me realize I know more than I think I do... heh.

Since they gave me such little notice, I haven't had time to take a preceptor class, and I want to provide her with the best preceptorship possible. Do any of your experienced preceptors have any ideas that I can use to help teach my student? Your advice is greatly appreciated.

[SoundofMusic]

I always try to ask them what their goals are for the day, and try to keep it centered on that. I ask them what skills they need to work on, etc. I allow them as much time alone as possible to figure things out, but am always in the shadows, knowing what is going on, so I can step in when they need me and don't feel abandoned. I let them know to call me with EVERYTHING if they want to -- so they feel they can approach me. Our hospital put us through a preceptor course. One of the best things I remember is that you sit down "together" to work out problems vs. you standing OVER them, criticizing, or whatever.

I try to remember these folks will be my co-workers in a few short months. I can either alienate them, or make them my cooperative co-worker with whom I have a friendly relationship.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

When we have some down time, I like to take the student to the central monitors and let them check out the rhythms. It's very different seeing an arrhythmia in a textbook vs real life on a continuous monitor. I usually print out strips for them to measure out and identify. Students have told me this is a big help.