Crazy preceptor?

[jrsRN07]

Before I decided to work in the ED, I was informed a long time ago that the ED attracts nurses of certain personality types. lol. Now that I am there, I see what they are talking about.

My preceptor switches up a lot, is quite abrasive, intermittently rude and obnoxious. I was thinking that it may be cultural (she is from Brooklyn, NYC and we are working in a hospital in Va). I understand that the ED is very chaotic so sometimes she does not give me all the info I need for my questions and/or matter which causes me to ask her for clarification and additional info. When I do ask, she will get snippy and even attitudal. I have mentioned to her on a few occasions about the fact that certain info I did not get from her and/or that I am restating what I am asking which has prompted her to say, "Oh I made that harder than what it was." I have also asked her if I was irritating her with my questions and she responded in the negative. At times she will say to me "It's not u! It is just one of those mornings." But the behavior starts in the evening. On another note she can be comical and approachable. smh. lol.

I must be honest, I have made some mistakes with documentation and care (not life threatening) on my first week with my assigned 1-2 patients that changed 3 or 4 times that night which made me feel overwhelmed. And yes, she had a fit about it. But at times that night, she was incognito and the other nurses were very busy. So I had to do the best I could until she got back.

I know it is most likely isnt personal. But I do feel like she may not want to precept anymore. I know it can be difficult to orientate someone whom has no ED experience. So, I plan to hustle in learning as much as I can so I can get off orientation ASAP. lol.

Has anyone had this experience?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I'm glad to see that you are only being made responsible for 1-2 patients starting out -- this tells me that the orientation program where you are is reasonably well thought out.

While you certainly want to maximize your formal & informal learning ... not every person's individual personality quirks are directed at you personally. Also remember to advocate for yourself -- whether or not your preceptor wants to precept is not your problem. That's between your preceptor and your department management. If you feel she shuts down your questions, try to redirect her. At the end of the day or week when you're reviewing progress tell her in a nonemotional way, "Right at this point I feel I need xxxx." When you approach this calmly and matter of factly when you're away from a patient care situation she should certainly respond appropriately.

I strongly encourage you to make the most of your orientation time -- this is too important to you to rush out of it just because of facial expressions or offhand comments.

I'm a frequent preceptor in my department -- I'll be cheering for you -- good luck! :)

[jrsRN07]

Thank you for your positive, objective response.

I have been an RN for almost 6 years now but in healthcare for 10 years. I have dealt with a lot of interesting people. lol. So, I know that the behavior for the most part does not have to do with me. Besides, she has shared some personal matters with me which let me know that she is having some difficulties. But I still needed to ask her just to make sure that I did not do anything to offend or rub her the wrong way. After all, whether I have a long orientation or not, I realize I still have to deal with her in the future and want to make sure that we can be as cordial with each other as possible.

You are right that I must maximize my formal and informal learning. I have books including labs and critical care nursing since in the ED, there are a lot of patients whom are critical.

It is funny that you spoke of redirecting and approach since after the first week we had our conference which was suppose to be us two some of co-workers were present to listen. lol. She told me after the second day that she wants to get me off orientation as soon as possible because the only way you are going to get better is by being on your own. So I was trying to hit the ground running with my learning so I won't be on orientation for 3-4 months since I am experienced in the basics of nursing and cardiac care. In addition, I explained to her my concerns about feeling like I am all over the place and having difficulty with managing and she agreed with me. I also told her that I feel I should go back to having 1 patient at a time versus 2. At first she agreed, but then she stated that I will have 2 patients next time around and that she will be more hands on. lol. smdh. I don't see how that is possible being that she has a total of 4 patients and the patients keep changing which causes her to fall behind. But the nonetheless, I will try the 2 patients and discuss anymore concerns if I am falling behind.

You stated I should advocate for myself. In addition to what I am already doing, what else do you think will be effective in advocating for myself?

Thanks for being my cheerleader.

I'm glad to see that you are only being made responsible for 1-2 patients starting out -- this tells me that the orientation program where you are is reasonably well thought out.

While you certainly want to maximize your formal & informal learning ... not every person's individual personality quirks are directed at you personally. Also remember to advocate for yourself -- whether or not your preceptor wants to precept is not your problem. That's between your preceptor and your department management. If you feel she shuts down your questions, try to redirect her. At the end of the day or week when you're reviewing progress tell her in a nonemotional way, "Right at this point I feel I need xxxx." When you approach this calmly and matter of factly when you're away from a patient care situation she should certainly respond appropriately.

I strongly encourage you to make the most of your orientation time -- this is too important to you to rush out of it just because of facial expressions or offhand comments.

I'm a frequent preceptor in my department -- I'll be cheering for you -- good luck! :)

[sandyfeet]

Just putting my two cents in: I think you should continue with two patients too. It's not a realistic situation in the ER to have only one patient (unless it's a critical patient and you shouldn't be caring for one alone in orientation anyways), and it could teach you bad habits. Juggling two will give you more opportunity to practice ER prioritization. My preceptor never let me take just one patient in orientation for this exact reason.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I agree with sandyfeet -- having only one patient at this point does not move your progress along the curve. It was an excellent idea for your first day, maybe two. You can do this, OP -- you're not a brand new nurse -- and if your previous experience was in acute care you've juggled multiple patients before.

[Sassy5d]

When I started out, I was hyper vigilant with my coworkers.. I took every phrase, sign, look, comment personal. I'd leave for the day and think ok, my preceptor hates me and she's telling everyone else and they'll hate me too.

I'm over it. ER is hectic. It will get easier with time. I find a lot of the seasoned ER nurses seem to have the split personality that you were describing. Subconsciously, I probably have the same thing going on.

Don't rush your orientation though. Everyone's watching you, even if u don't think they are, and they have your back if something serious goes down.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

"attitudal"

Thank you OP. I am going to use that on my husband and some co-workers. As in "do not get all attitudal with me!"

[docomo]

nothing sucks more than a bad preceptor or being assigned a lousy nurse for new hire orientation...