Are most new grad RN preceptors like this on the first day?

[Smilie0809RN]

So I am in a new grad RN residency program at a hospital. I am trying to gather some input on whether it is common to get a preceptor like mine or not.

So yesterday was my first day and the first time that I met him and one of the first things he said to me was that if I am going to cry I shouldn't do it in front of him and I should go somewhere else and do it.

Nice first impression.

After getting to know him he did lighten up a bit, however I noticed he is the kind of person where if he shows you something once, he expects you to know it.

Now the charting system here is very complex and the IV pumps are unlike any that I've used before so it's not exactly easy. So we did morning rounds together, then in the afternoon he sent me on my own to do afternoon meds. And he said to me that he wanted me back in 15 minutes (5 patients, 1 on isolation, all meds were IV push/fluids and injections that had to be drawn up). And actually everything that he sent me to do on my own he gave me timelines and anytime I went over he let me know!

I just felt rushed and I don't like to feel rushed when giving meds (especially like heparin/insulin/mag) and especially when it's a new system/ MAR/iv pump that I have to get used to.

I don't want to make any mistakes. And apparently he is supposed to be really good at mentoring because he was mentor of the year for the hospital last year so I don't know.

Are most preceptors like this on first day?

[NanikRN]

Another strong strong caution----

Do. Not. Rush. Your. Medications. ---ever!

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

Preceptor of the year? More like d-bag of the year.

Sorry you had this experience. Maybe he likes to scare people the first day and then normalizes from there? I hope this is the case. Still doesn't make it okay. Try to ride it out for a bit.

[Fruit Sucker]

He sounds young. Nice how he assumed because you're female that you'd be crying about some trivial thing.

I had a preceptor like that- she would try to set me up to not get meds done as fast as she wanted so she could berate me (usually in front of the other staff at the nurses' station.) She also expected me to know something inside and out if she told me once, and would, again, berate me if I asked for help or asked her to "please briefly go over this again". She also enjoyed berating me in front of patients for being too slow or doing something a different way than she did it.

I ended up taking it up the chain and getting a different preceptor. There's only so much **** you can take.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

This is not normal behavior for a preceptor, new grad or otherwise. These nurse of the year awards are often just a popularity contest so take that with a grain of salt.

I suspect that this preceptor specializes in getting new grads off orientation before they are ready. Frankly it sounds like he is not invested in teaching at all.

He is being paid to supervise and teach you, particularly if he does not have a patient assignment of his own.

If he is not warm and fuzzy that's

fine. Keep it businesslike and maybe he will shape up.

There should be a skills checklist as well as weekly evaluations and

goals as a part

of this residency. Make copies of

everything for your records as people like this "lose" them. I knew one devious woman wrote all kinds of false and embellished comments and used that to have a person terminated. Do not let him take your paperwork home.

Document every policy that he

reviews and every new skill such

as IV starts etc and have him initial your form. Ask for direction and feedback. Simply say "what do I need to work on this week."

If you feel that you have been left to your own devices to the point the it is unsafe, ask the educator to reassign you to someone else.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

It is not uncommon for new grads to come on night shift and say "you taught me everything I know. My preceptor on dayshift didn't show me anything. She left me on my own and to went to meetings all day."

Nightshift always does a good job of teaching judgement and

technical skills to new nurses.

I hope you have success in

navigating the pitfalls of working with a less than conscientious preceptor and give nightshift a try.

[flyersfan88]

Five patients on your first day? Seriously?

[NurseIndependa]

I am in a new grad residency. Your preceptor sounds like one on our unit (luckily, not mine). During the first shift, while I shadowed my preceptor to understand the flow of the ER, the other preceptor had her new grad giving all the meds. When the new grad asked questions, the preceptor would say "If you want to keep your license, it's your responsibility. Look it up" and would leave her new grad behind in the med room to fend for herself. I found that incredibly harsh. This other new grad was too nervous to bring up the issues with the preceptor or our manager. 2 months later, they are still having problems and the new grad feels very discouraged.

Let him know you will not compromise safety to match his speed. You are new at this and need to take your time. If his attitude doesn't improve, take it to up the chain of command to your supervisor or manager. It might be an awkward situation, but if it will help you get a better orientation, it is so worth it.

[Cupcakes71]

That sounds dangerous. I'm orienting in an ED and on my first day my preceptor just had me shadow. She had me calculate dosages (I'm in a peds ED so everything is weight-based) and at the very end of the day she asked me if I felt comfortable taking vitals. On the second and third days she had me administer meds but only while she was in the room. I can't believe he would let you hang and administer meds using equipment you aren't familiar with ESPECIALLY on your first day. From what I've heard about any of my classmates' orientations, that is atypical for any facility.

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

This is not normal. I understand the "tough love" approach; my first day shift preceptor was the same way. She softened up considerably after I showed her I was paying attention, catching on, etc. However, this muscle-ing around, he-man, no sympathy approach isn't helpful or appropriate.

To be completely honest, I have found that a lot of male nurses (not all) have this tough guy approach. I don't know if it's because they are working in a overwhelmingly female-dominated field and want to assert their "manliness" to the world but I do know that a wet-behind-the-ears new grad is not the person to be showing off in front of. When I was a new grad, I was so impressed by all the experienced nurses, it wouldn't matter if they were male, female, robot or part squirrel: I was looking up to them with awe.

Speed is NOT your priority right now. Safety is. Time management comes with experience. That's the long and short of it. If he is expecting you to be whizzing through med passes at this stage in your orientation, then he is going to have to deal with it when you inevitably make a mistake. As far as coming to him for clarification, if he has a problem with that he shouldn't be orienting anybody. I always told my orientees "I would rather you ask me the same question over and over again rather than you do something incorrectly and potentially harm the patient." Of course, if it's week 8 and you are still asking me how to draw up heparin or don PPE, then we have a problem. But answering questions and clarifying new skills is part of the role of a preceptor and this guy needs to get a grip.

If he doesn't cool his jets within the next couple of weeks, then you need to do something about it. Sit down with him and ask if you think you are where you should be at this point in your orientation. If his expectations are still through the roof, then it's time to start talking to your manager or clinical educator. Lots of nurses like to act tough in the beginning to weed out any wimps. Hopefully it calms down. He must be doing something right if he won that award so we will see if he lives up to his reputation.

Congratulations on your new job. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn all you can. Good luck!

[MrAllenU]

Hello Smilie0809RN,

I work in a 320-bed hospital on a medical-surgical floor, and the hospital has recently reached level II trauma designation. I am a young nurse (2.5 years practice), but I have been honored with the opportunities to precept new graduate RNs twice this past year. I do not know what kind of program or resources you have available at your hospital for new graduates.

At our hospital we have a "new grad academy" that educates, trains, and prepares new grad RNs over the course of twelve weeks. There is a well-thought out and carefully researched plan of how quickly the new grads begin working with patients, how many and what types (admissions/discharges) they can take on, and so forth. A very important focus for everyone in the new grad program, including the preceptors (we're called "clinical coaches"), is that the relationship between new grad and preceptor is a collegial one.

There is no attitude among the preceptors that they are better and above the new graduate. Anyone found holding such an attitude is dealt with very quickly by leadership including charge nurses, fellow preceptors, and our nursing and educational directors.

A new graduate such as yourself should feel comfortable with your preceptor. It is nearly impossible to learn (much less learn correctly and efficiently) if you don't jive well with your preceptor. A preceptor should definitely challenge you, but they should not intimidate you or make you feel threatened. It seems like the fit between you and your current preceptor isn't a good one. I suggest you go to your program director (if you have one) or the person responsible for assigning you to discuss your current situation.

I have expectations that my new grads are on time, focused, present, respectful, ready to learn, and always asking questions. However, I also want the new grads to succeed and not drown. That is the purpose of our "new grad academy": to guide new grads into their new role as a registered nurse rather than just letting them sink or swim. Yes, you can be thrown into the water and make it out and still be a good nurse. However, that method is not for everyone, and it is not a surefire way to help develop a successful and happy RN.

Good luck to you! :)

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

A macho preceptor , just what you don't need.

You should be having weekly reviews where your progress is documented. Most facilities use these reviews to also evaluate the relationship with the preceptor. If not, document the relationship yourself.

You need to CY your A with this guy. Document this outrageous orientation.

[VANurse2010]

It is not uncommon for new grads to come on night shift and say "you taught me everything I know. My preceptor on dayshift didn't show me anything. She left me on my own and to went to meetings all day."

Nightshift always does a good job of teaching judgement and

technical skills to new nurses.

I hope you have success in

navigating the pitfalls of working with a less than conscientious preceptor and give nightshift a try.

I don't know. Sometimes night shift is the Mr. Hyde to dayshift's Dr. Jekyll