Aggravated at Phlebotomy Preceptor

[TCASII, ADN]

I decided to take the local PCT program, since it was cheap and I'm still waiting to get into the nursing program. I'm done with class and now at the phlebotomy clinicals. I've only been last week - Wed, Thurs, Fri., and now today. Well, when I went in Thursday, I was feeling kinda yucky for some reason and was shaky. I told the preceptor and she just asked if I was diabetic or something. I thought our rapport was fine. I was busy sticking people within 5 minutes or my arrival, as I'm always early. The place is dreadfully slow, and I need 100 venipunctures! I have about 45.

So today my instructor shows up. I figured it was just a random check. She ends up taking me outside and telling me the preceptor said I was slow to get started and I'm tired. WTH?? I gave her the "WTH" look and said "I have no idea what she's talking about." "I'm here early everytime, and she wasn't even the person here last Wednedsday." I told the instructor about feeling yucky Thursday morning, but it wasn't an issue. The instructor says "Why didn't you feel good?" I wanted to say "I was up all night drinking and partying!" However, I told her "Well...I work nights, so I get maybe 4 hours of sleep before coming here." She then just says my skills are fine and everything is going good, so I'm wondering what this girl's (preceptor) issue is?

Now, before I left I had a few misses and the preceptor was condescending in telling me not to stick if I feel uncomfortable, yet last week she said "If you don't stick when you're uncomfortable, then you'll never learn if you don't try." So which is it? This girl's attitude is fairly abrasive, so she irritates me to know end, but I'm wondering if I should mention (on the post clinical eval.) the fact she talks to people (e.g., friends, coworkers) on the phone using the every cuss word under the sun, despite the patients sitting right outside the open door. She's got nerve I'll tell you that.

[mstigerlily]

Can you switch preceptors or ask that you not be with her anymore? I just started my first job as a new grad and I had plenty of problems with my first preceptor. She wouldn't sign off my competencies, wouldn't give me any autonomy at all. After four weeks together she was giving me like ONE patient and standing behind me while I did everything! Also criticizing the way I did things. I was still in "student" mode so didn't speak up right away then after I thought about it I realized I am licensed just like she is and I spoke up and got switched and everything has been great since.

Melissa

I decided to take the local PCT program, since it was cheap and I'm still waiting to get into the nursing program. I'm done with class and now at the phlebotomy clinicals. I've only been last week - Wed, Thurs, Fri., and now today. Well, when I went in Thursday, I was feeling kinda yucky for some reason and was shaky. I told the preceptor and she just asked if I was diabetic or something. I thought our rapport was fine. I was busy sticking people within 5 minutes or my arrival, as I'm always early. The place is dreadfully slow, and I need 100 venipunctures! I have about 45.

So today my instructor shows up. I figured it was just a random check. She ends up taking me outside and telling me the preceptor said I was slow to get started and I'm tired. WTH?? I gave her the "WTH" look and said "I have no idea what she's talking about." "I'm here early everytime, and she wasn't even the person here last Wednedsday." I told the instructor about feeling yucky Thursday morning, but it wasn't an issue. The instructor says "Why didn't you feel good?" I wanted to say "I was up all night drinking and partying!" However, I told her "Well...I work nights, so I get maybe 4 hours of sleep before coming here." She then just says my skills are fine and everything is going good, so I'm wondering what this girl's (preceptor) issue is?

Now, before I left I had a few misses and the preceptor was condescending in telling me not to stick if I feel uncomfortable, yet last week she said "If you don't stick when you're uncomfortable, then you'll never learn if you don't try." So which is it? This girl's attitude is fairly abrasive, so she irritates me to know end, but I'm wondering if I should mention (on the post clinical eval.) the fact she talks to people (e.g., friends, coworkers) on the phone using the every cuss word under the sun, despite the patients sitting right outside the open door. She's got nerve I'll tell you that.