Clinical rotation

[SarahU]

I'm not necessary in an ADN program, but in a surgical technology program. I'm currently on my 2nd rotation (we have 3 rotations). I start my 3rd in a couple weeks. I only have 3 months left.

this 2nd rotation has ruined the excitement for me. My preceptor is tough on me. She told me i would never graduate & I'm worse than a 1st rotation student. She said I'm horrible. My last preceptor said my problem, besides lacking confidence in myself, is we just don't connect. My 1st preceptor said I did good, that I was scrubbing by myself, but this is different. After I was told I am horrible, and should even be in clinicals, I went home & cried.

i know think maybe this isn't for me & maybe it's best to quit even though I only 3 months left. Maybe she's right, I can't do it. I'm totally second guessing everything! I understand I'm still learning but she makes it difficult for me to even want to learn anymore. I feel like giving up.

she treats me differently. The other students get to pick their procedures, I don't. The other students can pick the procedures they have done before so she doesn't have to grade any of our clue sheets, but I still have to do them. I feel like she shows favoritism.

I'm not sure what to do anymore. If I do go through the last 3 months, maybe I should even work at a surg tech when I do graduate.

If anyone has input, it would help me!!!!

thanks!

[JoeTheRN]

First off let me ask, are you enrolled in an actual college that offers the ST program, or are you at a for profit facility and one of the few programs they offer is the ST program? Second, you make it sounds like your preceptor has multiple students since you say some are allowed to choose their assignments, but you are not? Or are you her only student? Also, have you spoke with your instructor regarding the issues that you are having with particular preceptor? Because if it truly is her, and not some kind of issue that you are having, then it needs to be addressed so that future students do not have to go through the same thing. During my nursing clinical rotation, we always rated our preceptors. If one was repeatedly abusing the students, they would no longer be used since that does not create a healthy environment. Any legitimate program should take you seriously if you are truly being harassed by a hospital staff member. However, you need to reflect on your own skills as well. It sounds to me as if you still lack some skills required to be a good ST (not knocking you and I may be completely wrong), you mentioned your first clinical preceptor said you did well but you "just don't connect", was this preceptor not entirely confident in your skills and just being nice, not wanting to hurt your feelings? If you are truly doing well in your lecture courses and you feel like you have the skills needed, then DO NOT quit! You are too close to being done! But, if you feel like you have some weak areas, does your program allow you to repeat certain courses in order to build your confidence? Good luck, never give up!

[SarahU]

It is a proprietary school. Apparently, she's been known to "bully" past students. I know that I still need to improve, which is the whole point of my rotation, but her telling me that I'm too stupid to comprehend anything, is going too far, I think. But maybe I'm wrong for thinking that. Maybe I do need someone to tell me to give up. I just find this mentally exhausting & I'm to the point I don't even want to be a ST anymore.

Yes she has 4 other students, besides me this rotation. I don't see 3 of the other students often due to the fact they are at another facility than I am. At my facility, there's only 2 of us.

Thanks for your opinion!!