Dear Nursing Students/Orientees: A Love Note from the Preceptor from Hell

So often what we do pushes us to our edge where we struggle to not only live the moment we are in, but to redefine ourselves and our goals. Written in an exhausted, frazzled moment after an insane day and a night of trauma call. Posted because I know there are more orientees like mine and more preceptors like me. Students General Students Article

You are reading page 8 of Dear Nursing Students/Orientees: A Love Note from the Preceptor from Hell

daverika

57 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.

aaaa aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa

Specializes in psychiatric.

so THAT'S why we say nurses eat their young.......they're "Predatory pack animals". Mystery solved.

Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.
Wow, what a great read! I plan to read this at least three more times. I am 3 weeks away from my first preceptorship and I want to make the most of it. I have a background in education and I think what preceptors do is so vital to this profession that I am so proud to becoming a part of.

one of my best preceptors was a former teacher (high school biology). She was so patient and kind, but also stern when she had to be. She was amazing.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP

1 Article; 2,594 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
Nurses are such a diverse group. There are tons of nurses who become nurses later in life and plenty of 2nd or 3rd career nurses who have been successful in their professional and personal lives before nursing.

When I read the original post....it sounds like it's directed at a 20 year old kid who those kind of antics might work with.

However, if that kind of "breaking down" had been attempted on me or the majority of my classmates, I'm sure the preceptor would've been in for a surprise.

Little kid games don't work on grown ups.

Since when is a twenty year old a child? I can tell you in my 21 years, I have lived a hard life and seen and experience things that a lot of 40 year olds have never and will never experience in their lives.

Twenty-somethings aren't children and to treat us like we are high schoolers is offensive. Not too long ago, it was normal for a 20 year old to be married with children and running a household. Now? We've been demoted to kid status. :(

joanna73, BSN, RN

4,767 Posts

Specializes in geriatrics.

While some of you are clearly not impressed by this post, I think some of the content is meant tongue in cheek. Not to be taken literally. Anyway, to each his own. I had some preceptors who I'm sure were despised by at least a few people. But those of us who were able to recognize the value of their teaching style did very well. Certainly, there are many personality types and people learn differently. Nevertheless, as the OP mentioned, the student is there to learn to be a nurse.

allnurses Guide

Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN

11,304 Posts

Tongue planted firmly in cheek was my take as well. :yes: It was meant as humor, like Dave Barry or Bill Bryson.

Gave me a hearty laugh out loud.

I'm not a believer in the old "nurses eat their young" drivel and there are plenty of old threads on here about that issue. Suffice it to say there are jerks in all walks of life and there is nothing about being a nurse that makes a person be a jerk. If you meet a jerky nurse, they were jerky before becoming a nurse.

lorirn58

74 Posts

Hey RyanCarolinaBoy,

Squatmunkie brings up some excellent points and has an opinion (just like YOU have an opinion); therefore, there is NO reason for you to "hate on" Squatmunkie! Do you realize that is what YOU are doing, "hating on" squatmunkie?

Thanks to Squatmunkie, CherylRNBSN, and KatieMI for pointing out some of the hostile leanings of this article.

lorirn58

74 Posts

Oh and as I go along and read more comments like the ones from who I already thanked...I want to thank you all too. I say "ENOUGH" to abusive, bully, and vicious behaviors in nursing.

lorirn58

74 Posts

Candy stripper? WHOA! How about candy striper? Ya. Better.

lorirn58

74 Posts

Then don't use "over the top prose" or be so dramatic!!

tazz_rn

9 Posts

Specializes in Dialysis, ICU, PCU.

How very little can be done under the spirit of fear. - Florence Nightingale.

tinyonern

46 Posts

I so understand and appreciate this!! Not just related to preceptorship, but having to work with student nurses. I once had one who I told NOT to touch the pt unless I was with her, but that when I was done with my other pt I would let her give the feeding, suction, etc (had two vent. babies that day). I hear alarms, look up and the student is trying to change the diaper!!! I went over and ask what part of DON'T touch did you not understand?? as I tried to get the baby back from severe resp issue. She left the room crying, reported me to her instructor, who then reported me to my charge nurse. Fortunately, the charge nurse ask me to explain what happened and the student was not allowed to return to the NICU. The student just "knew" that I was wrong about that pt...what so many of the responses miss is that OP wouldn't throw the preceptee under the bus!! She would have her back....that is major. Plus OP has a sense of humor and is willing to take responsibility for herself.