Am I required to take a nursing student?

[jm9621, RN]

Hey everyone! I am a relatively new nurse at an inpatient acute rehab. I’ve been working there for a little under a year now. For starters, the training I got here as a new grad was abysmal. I got 8 weeks as a brand new nurse and was left on my own for most of the training and every time I tried to ask a question my preceptor would get annoyed or not even answer.

I’ve had to rely on my coworkers to teach me the job and this has caused me to struggle for this whole first year. I checked my work email yesterday and had an email from a nursing student telling me I am their preceptor and they would like to know my schedule.

This is the first I had heard of being a preceptor and I was never asked or informed by my manager that I would be getting a student. Since my boss was not in the office I sent her an email expressing that I was not comfortable being a preceptor because I am still learning myself and I asked her if she could assign the student to one of the more experienced nurses. Her response was “That is exactly why you are the perfect candidate to be a preceptor for a student.” When I emailed back stating that I am really not comfortable and I basically declined she never responded and I am off today.

Advice please?! I feel very blind sided and taken advantage of.

[PollywogNP, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, NP]

Continue to politely decline. She is ignoring you and her response that “you’re perfect to precept” is a smoke screen. 

Be emphatic that you are still learning ( typically new nurses have about 2 year learning curve. ) Clearly state you decline. You don’t need to list a million reasons, keep it short & direct. 

Quote

Greetings,

 I am writing again to decline precepting a student nurse. As a relatively new nurse, I am still learning. I am focusing on time management, assessments, discharge planning etc etc. (I am not sure what acute rehab entails)

Thank you for the opportunity but at this time I am declining. In the future, please ask if I am interested in precepting or any other additional duties.

Respectfully, 

jm9621, RN

Call the education department and ask how preceptors are selected. Some facilities treating preceptors. Not everyone is meant to teach or precept.

Email to manager & to your personal email then print out copy of email and hand it to manager. Keep paper trail 

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

On 1/19/2022 at 10:33 AM, jm9621 said:

Hey everyone! I am a relatively new nurse at an inpatient acute rehab. I’ve been working there for a little under a year now. For starters, the training I got here as a new grad was abysmal. I got 8 weeks as a brand new nurse and was left on my own for most of the training and every time I tried to ask a question my preceptor would get annoyed or not even answer. I’ve had to rely on my coworkers to teach me the job and this has caused me to struggle for this whole first year. I  checked my work email yesterday and had an email from a nursing student telling me I am their preceptor and they would like to know my schedule. This is the first I had heard of being a preceptor and I was never asked or informed by my manager that I would be getting a student. Since my boss was not in the office I sent her an email expressing that I was not comfortable being a preceptor because I am still learning myself and I asked her if she could assign the student to one of the more experienced nurses. Her response was “That is exactly why you are the perfect candidate to be a preceptor for a student.” When I emailed back stating that I am really not comfortable and I basically declined she never responded and I am off today. Advice please?! I feel very blind sided and taken advantage of.

Your answer would be facility specific. Where I work all employees are required to precept and allow students to follow them as a condition of employment. Ask  if taking a student or preceptee is required of your position and ask to see the policy. Then decide how much you really want to work there. 

Hppy

[Jordan Nacalaban, BSN, RN]

I would review the hospital policy about precepting students with your manager. You can also talk to your Preceptor Program Director to clarify the responsibilities and qualifications of a preceptor. You are still considered new since you mentioned that you have been working there for under a year. I would continue to let them know that you are still learning the ropes. 

It's common for a unit to get several students and not enough nurses to follow around. So it's automatic that everyone gets them. 

Double-check if they insist. As of now, send an email detailing your concern and mention you are also in contact with the Educator/Preceptor Program Director.