Clinical experience

My clinicals were GREAT! My preceptors and his/her associates all pitched in to be sure someone answered any questions I had as well as provided information regarding EBP guidelines, useful tools, etc. I kept quite busy and tried to see as many different types of patients as I could. As I was studying something new each week, I let the group know so that somewhere along the way I actually got to experience what I was learning...how I got to see malignant otitis externa and other things. I also had the experience of how various practitioners do biopsies, etc. One student I know had the opportunity to see a strangulated hernia and also did an I&D of an "impacted" hemorrhoid...said the blood clot was pretty gross but cool at the same time.

CNM student, not NP, but my clinicals have been incredible, absolutely incredible. But I chose my school (Baystate Midwifery) based on their reputation for outstanding clinical placements.

I am doing my integration right now (last semester, full time clinical) and I am seeing 75% of the clinic load independently and managing all inpatient care with my preceptor overlooking my care. I am fully supported by the providers, nurses, and MAs-I never feel like a burden or like they resent my presence. I am first assisting in c/sections and everyone from the scrub tech to the anesthesiologist are patient and take the time to teach me (when the situation permits).

I am in an amazing practice where the midwives manage all the ob patients, regardless of complexity, with physician collaboration/backup as needed. We are busy, about 500 births a year. The best part is the unit I am working on is like nothing I have ever experienced- all the good things about out of hospital birth, with the security of full emergency care, in house anesthesia, etc at your fingertips. True midwifery care, with dedicated, midwifery oriented physician back up. One of our docs got to catch a baby the other day because we had 2 simultaneous deliveries, and she was so excited because mom was in hands and knees lol! The unit is also dedicated to evidence based, family oriented postpartum care- even after a c/s, baby is immediately skin to skin (when stable) and often breastfeeding while still on the table. We also work with the local home birth midwives and see their patients prenatally when needed, and accept their transfers in labor. It's great to see how the safety of homebirth is increased by this sort of collaboration, and it is very rewarding to help these patients have a good experience despite having to transfer.

I have heard mixed things from my friends enrolled in other CNM schools, so I am sorry to say that my experience may not be the norm.

My preceptor is constantly belittling me and making feel like a burden and an idiot. I was wondering if this was a normal part of the process or if I need to find a new preceptor? I've lost any confidence I had going into this.

My preceptor is constantly belittling me and making feel like a burden and an idiot. I was wondering if this was a normal part of the process or if I need to find a new preceptor? I've lost any confidence I had going into this.

Yeah, that is NOT normal nor is it okay. My school has clear guidelines about addressing issues like this between preceptors and students- and the first course of action is for the student to meet with the preceptor, address the issues, propose a solution (if possible) and see if it can be worked out between the two of them. Next step is to involve the faculty responsible for overseeing your placement.

How long have you been with the preceptor? What does your school have to say about dealing with preceptor-student problems like this?

My preceptor is constantly belittling me and making feel like a burden and an idiot. I was wondering if this was a normal part of the process or if I need to find a new preceptor? I've lost any confidence I had going into this.

As cayenne06 points out, this is NOT okay! Did the school provide this preceptor? If so, you need to talk to your adviser and instructor and ask for a new preceptor. Not everyone is cut out to be a preceptor. The scary thing though is I wonder how this preceptor interacts with his/her patients! I hope your further preceptors are wonderful and helpful as they should be.