Being a preceptor as a new(ish) nurse?

[pinkdoves, BSN]

Hi allnurses community! I was brought a very interesting idea by my supervisor. Apparently, she thinks I am a great candidate to precept new grad nurses. I have been working for about 10 months as nurse...so I'm basically new myself. 

I don't mind the idea of precepting bc I like teaching people. I get nursing students all the time bc I work at a city teaching hospital. I was just wondering if this is a common thing? I almost feel bad for the new nurses bc I feel like I'm not competent myself yet to be teaching other people.

My hospital is a highly ranked children's hospital. I mention that because people often use this place for the name, and then leave after a year or two. So maybe this means bc I'm approaching my one year mark I'm now "experienced"? Have any of you been preceptor this early in your career?

[Sour Lemon]

I've precepted as a newer nurse and been precepted by newer nurses. I think it can actually be a great situation, provided both nurses know and use the resources available to them.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

New-ish nurses may be more in touch with what it was like to be new, and that can help you as a preceptor. As long as you don't have false pride and feel like you have to know the answer to everything. (In fact, modeling for a new nurse how and when to seek out help is a good part of an orientation.)

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Years ago in my new grad residency, we had three tiers of preceptors - the first we were with were nurses with about 1 year's experience, with the intention that they were still fresh enough to connect with a new grad and make them feel comfortable and share their recent experiences. The second tier was a preceptor with 5-10 years experience, and our final preceptor had 15+ years experience. It was a great transition.

[pinkdoves, BSN]

1 hour ago, JadedCPN said:

Years ago in my new grad residency, we had three tiers of preceptors - the first we were with were nurses with about 1 year's experience, with the intention that they were still fresh enough to connect with a new grad and make them feel comfortable and share their recent experiences. The second tier was a preceptor with 5-10 years experience, and our final preceptor had 15+ years experience. It was a great transition.

that's an amazing idea!! I wish that could be a thing today but I guess it would be hard to find someone with 15+ years of experience for every orientee.

it's crazy bc I feel like everyone who started with me 10 months ago is already planning their escape out of the bedside and is enrolled in master's programs...

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

As others have mentioned, you may be a great preceptor for new nurses because you remember being new and what you went through. I find that precepting can be great for the person doing the precepting too because you will come across things that you now have to teach, which is a whole new level of understanding. My only argument against it is that newer nurses are still developing their own practice, so adding the pressure of teaching someone else at the same time can be a challenge. Glad you're looking forward to it.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

There is no way I would take on the responsibility of teaching, with 10 months of experience. You cannot teach, what you do not know. 

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

48 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

There is no way I would take on the responsibility of teaching, with 10 months of experience. You cannot teach, what you do not know. 

There is a difference between precept and teach. Most hospitals have a new grad residency that builds on the knowledge presented in nursing school. A preceptor helps a new nurse learn policies and procedures, the EMR, and how to organize one's work. And if the unit has a specialty, then a preceptor can teach the usual plan of care for those patients. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

19 minutes ago, nursej22 said:

There is a difference between precept and teach. Most hospitals have a new grad residency that builds on the knowledge presented in nursing school. A preceptor helps a new nurse learn policies and procedures, the EMR, and how to organize one's work. And if the unit has a specialty, then a preceptor can teach the usual plan of care for those patients. 

No difference between teaching and precepting. I precepted everybody that walked in the door. Of course I taught them the basics. I also had to teach them critical thinking skills. That cannot be done.. until you have learned them yourself.

[Guest219794]

40 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

No difference between teaching and precepting. I precepted everybody that walked in the door. Of course I taught them the basics. I also had to teach them critical thinking skills. That cannot be done.. until you have learned them yourself.

All preceptors teach.
Some teachers precept.

Precepting is, for the most part, hands on, and requires excellent hands on skills to role model appropriately.  
Teaching is generally more theoretical.

 

[pinkdoves, BSN]

On 12/20/2020 at 5:52 PM, Been there,done that said:

There is no way I would take on the responsibility of teaching, with 10 months of experience. You cannot teach, what you do not know. 

I don't think it's fair to say I don't know anything after 10 months... I agree I might not be the best candidate to teach someone else but please do not insult the progress I've made. I'm proud I even made it this far 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

On 12/21/2020 at 10:32 PM, pinkdoves said:

I don't think it's fair to say I don't know anything after 10 months... I agree I might not be the best candidate to teach someone else but please do not insult the progress I've made. I'm proud I even made it this far 

"I almost feel bad for the new nurses bc I feel like I'm not competent myself yet to be teaching other people."

Where did I say you don't know anything? How could I possibly have insulted you?   Goodbye snowflake.