Preceptorship

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I need to choose an area/department for my preceptorship but I am not sure how to go about picking my area. I know that I am weak with "recalling on the spot" medications and what they are used for but I can figure it out eventually. I do like the mental health aspect of nursing but they are not offering that as a rotation. The difficulty is that I want to pick a department where I feel I will be able to continue to have that atmosphere of being able to learn and grow because I do not feel like I am prepared to be "alone". What department does anyone feel that would be the best place for me to continue learning. My biggest fear is being placed in a department where they feel I am not "strong" enough to be in this profession and they fail me during preceptorship. Any advice on which departments you can suggest that will be best suited for me?

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, Neuro/Trauma, Dialysis.

I would pick a department that you think you may want to do some day. Don't let fear get in the way of your decision. Your preceptorship is what you make of it. Sometimes in life we have to jump in with both feet and give it our all. The biggest challenges in life can be the best and most rewarding experiences. I am currently finishing up my preceptorship in CCU (critical care unit) and though I will acknowledge there have been several times that make me feel as though I am in over my head I could not happier in my decision. I have seen and done so many things that I would not have other wise been able to do. It has shown me my passion for Critical Care and given me something to want to work towards.

Good luck to you!

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

If you still need to work on your confidence and getting your meds down, consider a med/surg unit, where you'll get good variety and a fast pace.

I'm precepting in mother/baby right now, and I love it! I was already caring for 4 med/surg patients before my preceptorship. I have known for 10 years that I want to be a midwife, and I am continuing along that path. L&D doesn't hire new grads, but the new mother/baby manager was the manager on med/surg when I was there and lined up this preceptorship for me.

Do you have any connections anywhere, or any idea where you want to work? I would go for a mix of where you want to work and where you can work on those basic skills to really fine tune them.

Thanks for the tips and advice sparrow91

If you still need to work on your confidence and getting your meds down, consider a med/surg unit, where you'll get good variety and a fast pace.

I'm precepting in mother/baby right now, and I love it! I was already caring for 4 med/surg patients before my preceptorship. I have known for 10 years that I want to be a midwife, and I am continuing along that path. L&D doesn't hire new grads, but the new mother/baby manager was the manager on med/surg when I was there and lined up this preceptorship for me.

Do you have any connections anywhere, or any idea where you want to work? I would go for a mix of where you want to work and where you can work on those basic skills to really fine tune them.

I think that I would want to go to the med-surg unit in order to get a better foundation with my meds but my biggest fear is that my preceptor will confuse my willingness to try and strengthen my weakness as just plain "stupidity" and not being able to handle being on a med-surg unit which would obviously hurt my chances of being hired anywhere within other departments higher up

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I think that I would want to go to the med-surg unit in order to get a better foundation with my meds but my biggest fear is that my preceptor will confuse my willingness to try and strengthen my weakness as just plain "stupidity" and not being able to handle being on a med-surg unit which would obviously hurt my chances of being hired anywhere within other departments higher up

I would think that a good preceptor would see that admitting what you don't know and working to strengthen your weaknesses would make you a BETTER and SAFER nurse than someone who is just faking it 'til they make it. Gather your resources, study up ahead of time (and continue to do so while precepting), and ask questions along the way. Never ask what you can research, unless your research has come up dry. Your preceptor expects you to be slow and to not know everything. Showing that you have the humility to recognize that is important.

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