Emailing future preceptor?

[IHeartPeds87]

Hi everyone! So I'm a new grad and got a job on a med surg unit at a local hospital. I'm excited and nervous!

My boss told me who my preceptor would be. I was thinking of emailing the preceptor to tell her that I'm looking forward to meeting her and asking questions like what are the most common meds/diagnoses she sees.

i was hoping to do some prep and read up on those meds/diagnoses but I don't want to seem like a tool...

should I email or does emailing look/sound bad?

[Dogen]

I think an email is fine, but I wouldn't start out with questions that will ask her to do much/any work, since that's akin to asking for a favor and you don't know her. The first time you email someone it should be short, as a general rule. Since I work with people who are often in other cities, and in one case another state, I often email them but the first email is almost always,

"Hello X,

My name is Dogen and I understand you've agreed/been coerced to be my preceptor. It looks like we'll be working together on X day. I just wanted to touch base with you and see if there's anything you'd like me to bring/provide you beforehand/whatever. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Thanks, Dogen."

Pick your options as appropriate. I like this because it makes me look (erroneously) like I prepare beforehand, and eager but professional. Your mileage may vary.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Were you given her e-mail address or other contact information? If so, that sounds like you are being encouraged to contact her. However, if you have not been given her contact information, I would not recommend searching for it and making this unsolicited contact. If the unit wants you to contact your preceptor, they would have given you her contact information -- and doing something not expected and "extra" makes you appear a little over-anxious and "snow flakey." Unless your preceptor is a "snow flake" herself, she might be very put off by the premature contact.

If you want some recommendations on what to read up on, prepare for, etc. ... contact the people whose contact information you already have -- such as your unit educator, unit manager, etc. -- whoever is doing your schedule or whoever interviewed you. Certainly you have already talked with someone on your unit when you interviewed -- or soon will talk with someone as they prepare to bring you on board. Ask whoever it is that you have already established contact with.

Of course, if she contacts you ... That's a whole other story. Then feel free to ask questions.

... and if your going to do, Dogan's suggestion above is the way to go. Short, sweet, establishing contact, but not asking for special favors.

Congratulations on the new job.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

Sure, I think sending a short but sweet email introducing yourself is a nice idea. I precept quite often and actually like to meet up with my preceptee prior to our first shift. That way we can get to know each other a little and I can answer questions because they are usually very nervous. Sometimes it's for coffee or lunch, sometimes it's just a little earlier in the day before the shift starts in the hospital cafeteria.