Annoying preceptor advice wanted

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Okay, not trying to start a ***** fest, but I actually would like some constructive advice...

I am a >10 year ICU nurse that just started at a new unit. My orientation is going pretty fast, as to be expected, and the preceptor I've had for the last 3 weeks was amazing: made sure I good assignments, has a cheerful personality, and let me know if I missed anything that is customary practice for this unit.

Last week I got assigned a new preceptor for scheduling reasons. This new preceptor has a ton of experience, has an advanced degree, and overall is a nice person. Unfortunately, she is the type of person who does not tell you anything you've done right, but everything you've done wrong. Which, in my case (because of the experience factor and I'm kind of a perfection nut) is not a lot. But, for instance, last night after independently admitting two ICU patients and doing complete admissions for both (including a lot of communication with the MD team when their conditions changed), she made me stay 25 minutes late to write SEPARATE NOTES ON EVERY HEADING OF THE CARE PLAN, in ADDITION to the admission notes, change in status notes, and twice-a-shift unit standard notes I had written. That amounted to 12 extra, distinct notes that had absolutely nothing to do with the patient's overnight changes, and that we are not required to do nor would I ever do in my own practice!

I have her as a preceptor until the end of the month, and the thought that I will have to stay late working on ******** is really sticking in my craw.

Should I say something or should I grin and bear it until I can get off orientation, what do you think?

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Writing "SEPARATE NOTES ON EVERY HEADING OF THE CARE PLAN, in ADDITION to the admission notes"..is the preceptor's style.

You are an experienced nurse, but you ARE under the direction of your preceptor.

Let it go. This is not the time to complain about the little stuff.

Just ..get.. through..it.

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

Hmmmm. It's wise to think this through. You will be working with these people and don't want to rock the boat.

Have you asked the second preceptor her rationale for the extra charting? It seems strange that an ICU nurse would duplicate the already copious amount of documentation we have to do -- unless it was manadatory. But your saying it isn't. So what gives? I think it's a fair question. Maybe she'll have a really good reason.

I may be reading between the lines here-- but it sounds like you might suspect (just a little) that this person has a need to find something to "teach" you -- or point out an expectation you are not quite meeting?

It happens. I think of myself as pretty type A at work, but have had that challenged by someone who was (or at least appeared) more type A than me. This can especially happen when you're new-- because even though you're an experienced ICU nurse THIS unit IS new and there are absolutely learning curves associates with that. And so from your perspective -- you're doing great (and probably from their perspective as well) -- but there are some things you are missing. You are right to question the validity of this particular charting thing -- and perhaps her reasoning will become clear when you discuss it.

Come at it from a place of humility. Ask for her honest feedback regarding your practice. You do not want there to be surprises later.

If you sense, at all, that this is a personality thing or her being type A for the sake of being type A -- well I would probably suck it up and leave it be. Orientation is temporary. Not worth creating friction.

Hopefully she'll ask you for honest feedback on how she's meeting your needs as a preceptor. It can be hard to give feedback to someone who is evaluating you, but it's good practice for a preceptor to expect and encourage that feedback.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Well, documentation and regular updating of the care plan is a CMS and TJC requirement.

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I would grin and bear it. It's a temporary situation, after all.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You are the new person. It is her style and at the of the day, you are on orientation.

...don't rock the boat :no:

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Smile and nod ....

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Well, documentation and regular updating of the care plan is a CMS and TJC requirement.

Neither of those two require 12 narrative notes. Most EMRs have checkbox functions for this BS.

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Our hospital requires a note on each heading of the care plan each shift. If it's not required there, she might have come from a practice environment that did. Either way, I agree with the other posters it's not worth ruffling feathers over.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Grin and bear it and get off orientation. Take your time plotting fun ways to get revenge after you have settled on the unit.

I did this and it was very satisfying. (Not saying I'm proud of it.)

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Specializes in GENERAL.
Grin and bear it and get off orientation. Take your time plotting fun ways to get revenge after you have settled on the unit.

I did this and it was very satisfying. (Not saying I'm proud of it.)

Well I'm proud of you Art. I ask you is it better to be someone's passive-agressive punching bag or am I reading too much into this?

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