Any preceptors out there? Starting my preceptorship, nervous...

peds4now, RN · Apr 17, 2007

Bump, bump, bump

ME TOO! Part of it is I'm nervous about graduating, but I wonder if preceptorship is a fun learning time, or more of a do it perfect or I'll flunk you time like clinicals?

anne74 · Apr 17, 2007

Preceptors hate it when students act like they know it all. Ask questions, and be thankful for the advice and help they give you. Also, if you don't know how to do something, ask! No question is a stupid question. The only thing stupid is NOT asking, and trying to wing it. That will only get you into serious trouble! You will be working under the preceptor's license, so if you do something dangerous, you're putting them in jeopardy too.

And, your preceptor will probably not have high expectations of you. He/she knows you're a student and probably haven't done much yet.

Mainly, have a good attitude and a willingness to learn, and show your gratitude for the experience and knowledge they're giving you, and you'll be fine. As a student, your attitude is much more important than how much assistance you need in doing a skill.

Halinja, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2007

I'm two weeks into my practicum, where I'm working under a preceptor. (My 'capstone'. I don't know why, but that makes me giggle every time my professor mentions it. She mentions it a LOT) And I love it. My preceptor is excellent, lets me work independently where I feel competent, always available for information, support, advice. I've been honest with her, if I am shaky on something I tell her so. She has no problem with that.

I think its more...what do you expect from yourself. I really want to learn everything I can, because this is the area I want to be in when I graduate. (And I THINK I have the job already) So I ask questions, try and anticipate what will be needed next, ask if I can help other nurses if they're doing something I haven't seen yet. Its like a self directed clinical. Maybe that isn't how they all are, but that's how this unit is letting me be, and it is a LOT of fun.

S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN · Apr 17, 2007

I just finished my preceptorship in the ER and it was AWESOME! My preceptor was amazing, and the ER I did it in was SO good to students.

Firstly, I'd say if you're nervous about your skills brush up 'cause there ain't gonna be time to run back to the book and read up. Go to your school's skills lab and practice or just read up on them 'til you feel better about what to do. Foleys +++, and IM injections were huge, then blood draws, NG tubes, wound cleaning & dressings, and yup....you'll still end up doing bedbaths. Also, if you haven't learned how to do a 12-lead ECG, learn it now. Know how to prime IV lines, and do it. My preceptor was big about always having at least one IV primed at the head of most of the beds, and when something big was coming in to have a few ready to go. She always loved it when I would say, "don't worry, I already took care of it". That said pick up what your preceptor likes to be done, and do it before s/he has to ask. Save them some running around, and they'll go out of their way to get you in on something cool, or teach you something you didn't know.

Assessments: I was given patients to work up and assess starting my first week--nothing serious when on my own, but still. Know what questions to ask about for abd pain, chest pain, MVCs, injuries, vag bleed, headaches, pain in general. Get comfortable with the charting and forms in your ER. My first week almost all the staff were involved in two codes going on simultaneously and I was told to do the charting on one of them, since there were no more bodies.....

Basically, know what you want to learn and tell them. For me, cardiac was big, meds , and Learning to read ECGs & Xrays was also imporant. I told my preceptor this (along with my other 'learning goals') and she made sure I got involved in these things.

Good Luck to you, and HAVE FUN!!!

phiposurde · Apr 18, 2007

Hi!
I'm in the last quarter of nursing school, and got my preceptorship/clinical capstone in an ER, which I really wanted and am totally psyched about. But now I'm getting nervous; I don't know if I'll be able to do everything that is expected of me. Are any of you preceptors and have any advice? What will I be expected to do? What did you consider to be a "good student" vs. a bad one?
Thanks!

**First realize that you are a student. Alot of people get there and believe they should act just like nurse that have experience. Allow yourself to make mistake.You are missing some of the side of what I call the triangle of knowledge. To be a very good nurse you need 3 things( mostly) knowledge, experience and intuition. A very good nurse have the sides of that triangle all equal. That's your goal, to achieve it : ask as much question as you can, try to understand the why behind things, analyse in the department the one you can trust and learn from them and most important if unsure, doubt of the learning you get. Lichtenberg said it so well:"doubt everything at least once, even the proposition that twice two is four"

A good preceptor woudn't mind you doubting ( not all the time) what he/she stating. What i like to do in those time is to let the person find the answer. like the chinese proverb say:" if someone is hungry give him a fish but if you want him to never go hungry again teach him how to fish!" One thing I like to do when I don't know something is to copy the answer put it on cards and keep it in a little box. You can either file them by complaint( sob, cp_ or by system ( CNS, resp.).That way when you want to review, either a system or a complaint, you can read all the cards you put together. A good website is

www.mercksource.com

the skill the most important....assessment, assesment, assesment. Try to make sure you have master your base very well. Woudn't bad either to read on ACLS protocol. That site could help:

http://www.acls.net/

And last but not least, just be you. By trying to much you will not get anywhere . just learn, have fun, and enjoy a good dose of adrenaline!!!8)