How can I be a good preceptor??

[allele]

Hi everyone! I've been an RN for a bit over 5 years now, and I'm about to take on a role I'm VERY excited about!! I'm going to be precepting a student. She'll be with me for the semester, and the goal is to have her working independently by the end of the semester. I was wondering if any of the more seasoned nurses have any advice for me? Or if any new grads/recent hires with preceptors can tell me what you really appreciated from your preceptor? I just want to make this a great experience for this student. She has already told me she's nervous about the experience (I work on an acute unit), which I understand of course, but any suggestions on how to make her comfortable? I figure the first day she'll just follow me around mostly, get acquainted with the patient population and with the paperwork. Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance, I'd really appreciate it!! :)

[actioncat]

Hi Allele,

I'm sure you'll do great. The fact that you are so concerned about making this a good experience for your preceptee says a lot.

I would approach it as you would appoach teaching patients, that is, assess what they know and go from there.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I think it is important to look at being a teacher per say. Remember your preceptor is a novice, that means they will tend to focus on rules, books, techical ability and a lot of 'what are the rules..I must never waiver from the rules I know!!!!". This is normal and a part we have all gone through! It is the ABC's that we nurses build from..it is our foundation and you will be piviotal in that foundation!!!!!!!!

My best preceptors realized this and not only strengthened that power and knowledge, but also took the time to show me that Nursing is far from black and white book smarts and rules! My best preceptor taught me that the picture in nursing is multicolored, and that focusing on one color or even two colors is good, but you aren't as good as you think till you can notice the accents, how they blend, and then appreciate the ENTIRE picture. Nursing is an art, takes time, skill, know how, education, dedication, respect, professionalism, and many bumps along the way!!!!

Also encouraging self respect is important, especially in teaching responsiblity for yourself and your actions whether good, bad or indifferent. To see yourself as a professional, and that you truly are trusted with your patients life...yes the legal stuff gets most people scared to death (especially newer nurses or students who are in constant fear of loosing their licenses, like an evil shadow over everything!), but when it comes down to it..my preceptors reminded me more of the 'trust' you are gifted with to care for that person..and a gift to not take lightly! Somedays it doesn't feel like its a gift..LOL..but it really is, and believe it or not...if you look...there are s/sx of that even in your most 'challenging' patients! I feel that too is a very important thing to remind and encourage :)

Good luck to you..I so wish I could preceptor!!!! But alas..not much of that in assisted living..LOL! (LTC sure..but not assisted living...but I don't know..those two are becoming so close now..that maybe I will get the chance!).