had to change preceptor, she'll find out today, what to do when i see her next

[ltmja]

so i have worked on the floor for 8 days now, new grad. I worked three twelves in a row on days and then will be working nights shortly. The first week on the floor was really busy. My preceptor wasn't there the first day and the other two she was charge so i didn't get much attention. The second week went a little better but she still seemed too busy to show me how to chart correctly on the computer, had me running around everywhere trying to find things, and just didn't seem too interested to take the time to show me anything. The last week with her was horrible. It seemed no mater what i did nothing was right. I thought i was in the wrong until the charge nurse asked if i was okay and that she noticed it as well. The last day I worked with her she told me she was a little concerned. I was only up to three patients, didn't know what to do in an emergency situation, and i needed more time to orientate. Then she gave me five patients that day with all these meds and prn's. i did okay but felt still like i wasn't living up to her expectations. I wasn't fast enough, she would throw way too much at me at one time and I still didn't know where to find everything. I got a new preceptor and he is patient, allows me to take my time when I need to, and I did three patient's like a breeze. Today she found out she is not precepting me anymore (I didn't work today). It wasn't my idea to change my preceptor but I am not knowing what to say when I see her again. I talked to a few other people who have approached me and they noticed her attitude towards me as well. Any advice out there. Oh and by the way, she did precept another grad and they got along realy well...maybe there was something I was doing wrong!!!?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Don't make a big deal of it. It's not your responsibility to be "the leader" in this situation. Just be pleasant and polite as you normally would be. It's like having a wound: don't pick at it. Don't make a bigger deal of it than it needs to be.

If she says something, be honest, but not blaming and accusatory. Simply say something like, "I needed more ...." or "So-and-so thought that having ___ would be a better fit for my needs at this time." Frame your comments in terms of your learning needs rather than saying anything that might sound like you were criticizing her performance. Also, by saying "So-and-so thought that ..." lets her know that other people are watching and if she wants to explore it further, she can go ask them.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I doubt she will be offended. I have precepted a lot over the years in the ER and I am very much a type A person. I have never loved teaching or precepting but did so to the best of my ability. However, I am very much aware that strong, type A folks (like myself) may not always be the best fit for a new employee.

Twice in the 10 years I worked in the ER, the new employee was given a different preceptor. The fit was better with someone else. Its not personal - it just dind't work out.

[SarasotaRN2b]

I wouldn't worry about it...who knows, it might have been her that said something. Sometimes the chemistry is there, sometimes it is not. I wouldn't worry about it. If she does have a problem with it, it is her problem, not yours.

Kris

[ltmja]

thank you to those who have responded so far. i can always count on the nurse's from this website to make me feel better about a situation. thank you again!!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Be yourself, and be professional, don't sugar coat it if it's brought up. Surely she knows that since you have another preceptor it wasn't a good fit.

Good luck.

[Sabby_NC]

Sometimes personalities just don't geeharr.

Learn from your new preceptor who sounds like he is doing a great job with you.

Be pleasant if the other preceptor says anything to you but some how I doubt it.

Remember you are on a sharp learning curve. Give yourself credit for doing a good job and grow :)

[LauraMT]

I had to switch preceptors and she really didn't care since she didn't like to precept me anyway. I give her report all the time and she's perfectly pleasant (on our floor we all start orientation on days and then move to other shifts). There is now a nurse on my shift who she precepted who thinks she is awesome and had a great orientation with her. She just wasn't a good fit for me and it didn't seem to bother her at all.

[Audreyfay]

I don't think it's a big deal. Thank her for the time she worked with you. Tell her that your continuing to learn with the new preceptor. If she asks you questions - then go from there. I thought I should pick up some tips from other nurses too. But, thanks for your help.

I agree with above. Don't pick at a wound and criticize things that she may or may not know. It is difficult to change a personality.

[swatch007]

....." type A folks (like myself) may not always be the best fit for a new employee. "

Is that a fact or just your own opinion? What about type A, and type A+ ( "like myself")? Are they best fit? --if you know what I mean.