Hello to all, I recently graduated from nursing school, passed my boards, and was offered a job in the ER at my local hospital, where I did my preceptorship. Sounds like a fairy tale right?? WRONG. Here is my dilemma, since I am a "New grad," going into emergency care, there is a 6 month probationary period during which two days of our shift are spent on the floor with our chosen preceptor, and one day a week is spent in the classroom, where we cover basic emergency scenarios and practice how we would react, etc. This is all seemed great at first with wonderful support from the educators running this "new grad orientation to ER," program, until I met with my preceptor. She does not offer any guidance, or support what so ever! I feel like I'm "shadowing" her more than anything, and when I ask her to allow me to participate in providing patient care, she basically IGNORES me. I'm not lying. I ask her questions regarding the patient's we get and why she does the interventions she does, how this affects the patient physiologically, etc., and she answers me with "you should know that." Don't get me wrong, I know that I should research and continue studying to be more prepared, however, isn't a Preceptor's "job," to offer guidance and education, especially if one is actively involved?? I really thought that this is what a preceptor was! PLUS, during our classroom day, we are told that if we aren't asking our preceptor questions, then we aren't doing our job. So in a nut shell, I have gotten to a point where I feel so uncomfortable asking her any questions at all, for fear of a mean reply or even just being ignored by her, that I have considered quitting my job... I feel so stressed everytime I have to go to work, not only because I AM AFRAID I will NOT make it through the six months of the probationary period, but because she is really mean and unwelcoming. I have thought of speaking with my educators regarding this ( they are responsible for us new grads during this probationary period) but I don't want to sound like a tattle tale or an immature person, especially because my preceptor is supposed to be a "REALLY GOOD," experienced nurse. I honestly don't feel like I'm benefiting from the preceptorship experience, especially because I hear the rest of my colleagues speak so wonderfully of their preceptors and how much they learn from them. I'm totally missing out PLEASE ADVISE! God Bless.
