As A Preceptor.............

[hbncns35]

As a preceptor of a medsurg unit what particular treatments, tips, skills would you want to teach your student?

I am meeting with my precept. tommorow and the nurse manager said I should have a list of things I want to "work" on.

I can think of catheters, wound care, IV's, medcare, prioritizing, policy and procedures, post-ops, recognizing crit. care, when not to call dr.,use of medcart, precautions, responsibities, committeees,etc...

Can you think of anything else? I want to make the most of my 90 hours.

Heather

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Perhaps you may wish to work on nursing care plans.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Learning how to start to organize and prioritize.

[CrazyNurseIrene]

I have to say you have come up with a pretty good list and I agree with Meow however I remember not to long ago when I was a student, how I wish my preceptor had asked me what I wanted out of the rotation, make sure to get input and provide open and constructive critisisim if at all. You will do great. Its not as easy as you think but once you get together with them they will be so scared and excited you will spend most of the day providing guidance and answering alot of questions......

Take Care

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Did i misunderstand,, you are the student,, or are you acting as preceptor for a student?

[CrazyNurseIrene]

As the preceptor, I was just saying that you should really find out what the students want to learn out for their clinical. I was never asked. I was scared and unsure of the expectations. So as a preceptor just be clear in what you expect and make sure to provide feedback as well as accept it too. Thanks

[JustMe]

As an ADN adjunct faculty member I think it's important to show a student the critical thinking process we use--almost on an hourly basis. Critical thinking is one of the most difficult things for new grads to grasp. As students they want hard and fast answers, but that isn't so easy in the real world. They already know how to do the procedures. Trigger their thinking with questions about why they need to look at labs before giving that potassium supplement--and not just the K+ but also the Creat and urine output. When to call the doctor is good to teach them. The docs (especially in private practice) don't like being called at 2AM for a complaint of constipation so some advanced recon needs to happen.

Being a preceptor is so important for these new grads. Thanks for stepping up to the plate!:yelclap:

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Yep and along those lines....how to speak to docs to get what you need/ want. When to call the doc is a big one and having what you need ready when calling. Interpersonal skills. Is that it?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Skills checklist. What needs the student has...what he's weak or strong in.. By the time I graduated I'd given literally thousands of injections, but never inserted a foley or started an IV.

Time management...even to taking a pad and paper and literally following a grid/schedule for the first few days.

Who and when to call for what. You don't need to speak to a doc at 2 am for constipation, and you don't need to speak to a pharmacist to ask for the pyxis to be refilled.

Where supplies, papers, sheets, where to hang his coat and where the bathroom etc are located.

Introduce him to the secretary, the housekeepers and the bed control person....surprisingly some new people just assume these important people know who they are.

How and what to include in shift change report. Too much time is wasted when you don't know what is important and what is old news.