Please help! Need tips for student nursing preceptorship

Nursing Students Student Assist

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During our lunch hour at clinicals this quarter we are each assigned a week to lead discussion during our lunch break -- mine is next week. Since we will be doing our nursing preceptorship next quarter (our final quarter) I thought it would be a good topic for discussion. I'm looking for any tips from experienced nurses, new nurses, and especially from nurses who precept and student nurses currently in their preceptor program (or just completed).

Thank you!

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Wow, I'm glad we don't have assignments to do over our lunch break! Well, sometimes we don't necessarily get one, but I wouldn't want to do an assignment during it anyway. I'm not even sure what a preceptor program is while in school. Maybe we call it something different??

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I guess I just assumed everyone called it a preceptorship -- never assume! During our final quarter we are assigned to work with one nurse and work her schedule so it's basically like working as an RN, but we are with the RN at all times. Any tips for success?

P.S. I am leading the discussion tomorrow...:uhoh21:

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Specializes in LTAC.

We did a preceptorship our final semester of nursing school, and I loved it. How about time management or teamwork? Or, if there is something you've become proficient at this semester you could share your knowledge.

I'm glad we didn't have assignments like that. I'm not much of a discussion starter.

Good luck!

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I guess I just assumed everyone called it a preceptorship -- never assume! During our final quarter we are assigned to work with one nurse and work her schedule so it's basically like working as an RN, but we are with the RN at all times. Any tips for success?

P.S. I am leading the discussion tomorrow...:uhoh21:

We don't do anything like that in school. Do you do it full-time then? Do you get to choose the unit you do it on? That sounds like a great opportunity!!

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It is a wonderful opportunity and I'm looking forward to it. I thought all schools provided nursing students with a preceptorship prior to graduating. We can let the powers that be know what unit we would like to work on, but the reality is they choose for us. We can, however, request what shift and facility we would like to work at and that request is for the most part granted. We will work whatever hours our preceptor works (an RN from the facility), e.g. if she works 12 hour shifts we will do the same. We have to ge a total of I believe 120 hours so if we reach that before the end of the quarter we are done!

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we did a preceptorship our final semester of nursing school, and i loved it. how about time management or teamwork? or, if there is something you've become proficient at this semester you could share your knowledge.

good ideas. i found some tips online. i thought after i share this i'd open it up for discussion, e.g., what are people's goals for preceptorship and maybe what are their fears(?). what do you think of the following:

attitude is everything

being open-minded is a great way to learn new things. for example, be willing to work some night shifts and weekends in your clinical experience. often, facilities have many students on day shifts and their preceptors are occupied with new employees of the facility, which may limit opportunities. working nights and weekends helps the facility and conveys an attitude of willingness that may help you with future employment opportunities.

an added benefit is observing how the shifts integrate. for example, it is common practice for the daily medication administration record to be printed on the night shift and validated by the night shift nurses. you may not learn this if you only experience the day shift.

other attitude adjustments you should make are-

  • practice humility. don't feel compelled to talk about your past experience; focus on learning about today. avoid asking preceptors "why" they do certain things. these kinds of questions can make people defensive. instead, ask "is there anything else i should learn about this?" or, "tell me more about how to address this."
  • learn on breaks. when you're in your clinical with a preceptor, join other team members from the unit for meals. you can learn much from the unit secretary, nursing assistants, and therapists.

work with your preceptor

  • use a checklist of the key skills you want to accomplish with your preceptor. be sure to review the facility's policies and procedures before performing skills. many times you can print these from the facility's computer.
  • ask for a packet of the most common charting forms so you can review them in advance. these often are already assembled in a new patient admission packet.
  • understand that your preceptor may teach you practices that are different from what your instructor teaches you. make sure to focus on the principles, not just the task.
  • remember the saying that leads to mastery of skills: "watch one. do one. teach one."
  • read the facility's communication bulletin boards. you will likely gain up-to-date clinical information and may even find a job posting you are interested in.
  • don't accept a patient assignment. you need to be assigned to the preceptor and her or his patients.

keep a journal

  • keep track of things about which you want to get more information. write down some of your experiences and the key points learned.

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Specializes in LTAC.

great job.....good luck!

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