Seeking advice for doing my preceptorship

[ANEWBYRN]

I have one more semester of ADN program to go. I start doing my preceptor work in a few days. I've been assigned to a very nice, intelligent RN who works on a cardiovascular step-down unit. All students are required to come up with their own personal objectives for their preceptorship. I turned mine in, but my instructor said that they were too broad. Here's where the problem comes in--how do I develop specific objectives for this unit, when I'm not exactly sure what actually goes on there? I am notorious for making things too difficult. I could really use some suggestions.

[fergus51]

Maybe focus on small specific things, like what psychomotor skills you want to develop (IVs, whatever) and what assessment data you want to improve on (monitors, etc). I really have no idea having never worked a cardiac step down floor.

[BMS4]

I sat down with my RN preceptor and we discussed the unit and the most suitable or workable objectives for that unit. We also discussed the amount of time that I would have to accomplish these objectives. I then wrote up what I thought I could accomplish during preceptorship. It worked out really well. I had my RN check them before I handed them and my instructor was happy with them. Good luck and enjoy your preceptor time. :)

I wanted to add that this was suggested to our entire class. Our instructors encouraged us to work out our objectives with our RN preceptors. They stated it would help build a good working relationship and also help teach us more about working as part of a healthcare team.

[Glad2behere]

It's easier to work within one group of patients. A step down unit only means the acuity is supposed to be lower, but it really depends on how the census is in the ICU. I suggest getting to know clinical pathways for a specific group of patients as an example post MI, which patients are at greatest risk for another MI, for CHF, anticoagulant therapy, and if you have pulmonary catheters there, learning how to effectively read PA pressures.

Don't try to handle everybody, focus on one group, and the RN you are preceptoring with will know. Learn their most often prescribed diets and why, when they can ambulate, what meds are used, and a really good one would be to study every drug on the crash cart. See if you can group these patients for risk of future complications. When you're done, you will have automatically have learned many nursing skills and be very familar with this group of patients, and you're comfort zone will start to emerge.

[NurseWeasel]

"My RN"... I love that phrase. Someday *I* want to be someone's RN, guiding and mentoring them along their way to full-fledged nursing.

Just wanted to comment that you warmed my widdle heart this morning. =)

[ANEWBYRN]

Thanks for all the tips and advice! I will keep it in mind! I start precepting Friday morning, so wish me luck!!

[RNIAM, BSN, RN]

I will wish you good luck. i hope you will post again and let us know how it went!

[TessRN2B, BSN, RN]

Please do let us know how your precepting goes. my university is utilizing preceptership for the first time this semester (my 4th of 4 semesters) and i'm totally clueless and nervous about it. i really don't know what to expect. maybe your posts will spread a little light on the subject for me. thanks and good luck!!!