Being a preceptor.

Jwin10 · Dec 16, 2015

My personality is laid back and calm. I find that it helps with new RNs. They are scared, nervous, excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. Having an excitable preceptor does not lend itself well to the learning process.

I always tell them, "this is how I like to organize my day, when you are on your own you'll find what works for you so don't think what I do is gospel".

Never talk down to them or yell. If something needs to be rectified a private conversation is the way to go about it.

Keep lines of communication open. My orientees had my number and could call or text me whenever they needed to. Many of their questions came after shift was over or the next day. :-) even now, my most recent gn -----> RN is on her own, but she works my schedule as much as possible and has her assignment as close to mine as possible. We have a huge unit so we have that capability.

Good luck and have fun!

NICUNurseEliz · Dec 16, 2015

I love being a preceptor! Precepting is loads of work and can be frustrating at times but it's also rewarding.

On my first day with someone new, we'll do introductions and take report on our patients together. After that, I always tell my orientees that I am there just for him or her, that they can ask as many questions as they want, and that I want them to tell me if something isn't working for them. I find that this opens up a good line of communication and prevents problems between the preceptor/orientee from brewing under the surface.

I also try to get a handle on their learning style to make sure that my teaching is most effectively reaching them and helping them to improve. Hopefully your preceptor classes will also address learning styles and give good examples for different approaches. Also, keep in mind some general principles of learning. Remember when you were in school in a long day of classes and started to feel like you had information overload by the end of the day? Try to avoid constantly barraging your new nurse with information for the same reason. Sometimes as preceptors, we feel that we have so much information that we need to impress on them in a short period, but people can only absorb so much in a day.

I hope you enjoy precepting! It can be enjoyable and I find that it refreshes my own knowledge as well. :)

CardiacDork, MSN, RN · Dec 17, 2015

I love being a preceptor! Precepting is loads of work and can be frustrating at times but it's also rewarding.
On my first day with someone new, we'll do introductions and take report on our patients together. After that, I always tell my orientees that I am there just for him or her, that they can ask as many questions as they want, and that I want them to tell me if something isn't working for them. I find that this opens up a good line of communication and prevents problems between the preceptor/orientee from brewing under the surface.
I also try to get a handle on their learning style to make sure that my teaching is most effectively reaching them and helping them to improve. Hopefully your preceptor classes will also address learning styles and give good examples for different approaches. Also, keep in mind some general principles of learning. Remember when you were in school in a long day of classes and started to feel like you had information overload by the end of the day? Try to avoid constantly barraging your new nurse with information for the same reason. Sometimes as preceptors, we feel that we have so much information that we need to impress on them in a short period, but people can only absorb so much in a day.
I hope you enjoy precepting! It can be enjoyable and I find that it refreshes my own knowledge as well. :)

I am SO excited and looking forward to it.