A little nervous!

MisterSimba, BSN · Aug 14, 2008

I don't think you'd be rude at all to say no! It's all in how you word it, maybe something along the lines of, "I only have X months of experience and I feel uncomfortable being a preceptor right now, but I'd be honored to do it in a couple of years." Something like that....

If I was in your situation, I would be freaked out by having to precept new students so soon! I'd be overwhelmed by being responsible for teaching others so soon in my career!

Hands and Heart · Aug 14, 2008

As a new nurse, you are a prime candidate for teaching a student. Your knowledge is fresh and you are not set in your ways, making you more flexible. As a student myself, it can sometimes be easier to learn from a nurse who was recently in my shoes. You know what types of experiences you were denied during your clinicals and can make sure a student has those opportunities available. Also, with your desire to go into teaching, the sooner you get started doing it, the more experience you will have and the better teacher you will be. I was recently precepted by a nurse who had only been on the floor for 11 months and she was phenomenal. By having new nurses precept, it gives students the ability to see themselves being competent nurses in a reasonable amount of time. Additionally, by taking the time to show and explain things to a student, your rationales for doing things the way you do will make more sense to you and not become "just a task that needs to be completed." Good luck. The nursing community needs more teachers, sooner, rather than later.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Aug 14, 2008

I completely understand your trepidation, cherokee. I've been at mother/baby nursing 3 years now, and still feel like I want some more experience before precepting someone else. If you feel like you're not ready yet, I think Simba's response is a perfectly valid one. It is hard to teach when you are still learning yourself.

mpccrn, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2008

when i have students with me in the ICU, i just go about my day like they aren't there BUT i continually talk, explaining what i'm doing, why, the significance with a few test questions along the way.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 15, 2008

I know you are nervous but some of the best RN's I got assigned to in NS were newer nurses. I connected so much better with them, they were far more patient with my endless questions and they normally didn't mind having a follower for the day. They also could scale down a procedure and put it in simple terms for me.

One of my best preceptors in OB has only been an RN a year (she did my postpartum and a portion of my nursery orientation). She is patient, kind and can really explain things to me on a very basic level and never gets frustrated if I do something incorrect or not fast enough.

couchdogs · Aug 15, 2008

Just curious, where are you taking classes. I have a BS (not in nursing) and also want to get my masters in education. Have you worked anywhere else beside OB/nursery? How long have you been a nurse? Where and what exactly do you want to teach? I have worked psych, OB, nursery, some skilled and longterm care. I feel that it would be a disadvantage that I do not have med-surg experience. Do you agree?

As far as your students go now, just be honest with them if you do not know something. They will relate to you more that you are still fairly new. Just teach them what you know and be grateful for the teaching opportunity.

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2008

In teaching hospitals, the axiom for interns seems to be, "See one, do one, teach one." Teaching someone to do something is a good way to learn it better yourself. The questions they ask you are often ones you yourself hadn't thought about and now you have to think about. Sometimes you have to look something up, or go to a more experienced nurse. It's good for students to see that they don't have to have all the answers in order to do a good job. Seeing a respected preceptor consulting with another nurse or hitting the books sets a good example for their future practice.

Precepting a student isn't as involved as precepting a new nurse. The student has an instructor who has the final responsibility to see that she gets the information she needs. Precepting a new nurse is more involved and the responsibility rests with you. You are also the one evaluating--passing or failing the new nurse. Take another year or so before precepting a new nurse. But you sound perfect for students. The fact that you are so concerned about doing a good job is one point in your favor.

AS for giving them a good experience, ask what their goals are and try to give them opportunities to do goal related activities. Ask them questions. If you're giving a medication, ask them what they know about that med and fill them in if they don't know much. I like to have them do calculations on Pitocin and MgSO4. It's really difficult for some of them, so I make sure I tell them they are difficult calculations and I'm not grading them or reporting to their instructor. I usually tell them how it took a really long time for me to figure out where the 6 came from when you figure the dose of Pit with 10 Units/1000ml fluid. It's also a little brain straining to translate in mU/min for the dose to ml/hr in the pump setting (unless you're using a smart pump and don't have to consider that). OK, I just checked and you work mother/baby so you probably aren't titrating Pit or MgSO4, but you get the idea.

Good luck with school. I've known lots of other nurses who managed to do what you're planning on doing. It's not easy. Be patient with yourself and take the time you need.

cherokeesummer · Aug 16, 2008

Just curious, where are you taking classes. I have a BS (not in nursing) and also want to get my masters in education. Have you worked anywhere else beside OB/nursery? How long have you been a nurse? Where and what exactly do you want to teach? I have worked psych, OB, nursery, some skilled and longterm care. I feel that it would be a disadvantage that I do not have med-surg experience. Do you agree?
As far as your students go now, just be honest with them if you do not know something. They will relate to you more that you are still fairly new. Just teach them what you know and be grateful for the teaching opportunity.

I'm using walden university, I did my psych graduate work there and enjoyed it. I've only worked NICU and Mother/Baby. I've been a nurse for 11 months and worked NICU for 2 months and Mother/baby for 9 so far. I would like to be a nursing instructor, not sure what specialty but probably mother/baby since thats what I do now. I don't have med-surg experience and though it wouldn't hurt to have some med surg experience, it was just not something that I wanted.

couchdogs · Aug 16, 2008

So Walden has a BS (or BA) to MSN program? How long does that take or how many credits? How expensive? Sorry if this is off the maian topic.

cherokeesummer · Aug 17, 2008

So Walden has a BS (or BA) to MSN program? How long does that take or how many credits? How expensive? Sorry if this is off the maian topic.

To be honest with you I have no clue LOL, I attended there before so it was already pretty smooth for me so I don't recall off hand the costs but you can email an advisor and they can give you some good information.