Orientation

AZEMS · Oct 12, 2002

TEX

AS AN ER PRECEPTOR, LOOK FOR A MENTOR FIND THE PERSON WHO HANDLES CHAOS WITH EASE AND SEEMS TO HAVE THE STAFF'S CONFIDENCE. THIS IS SOMEONE YOU SHOULD WATCH AND GET TO KNOW. QUESTION WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. PLAN A GOAL EACH DAY THAT IS REALISTIC LIKE STARING A DIFFICULT IV START. OR WORKING ON A PEDS CASE THAT YOU NORMALLY WOULD AVOID. YOUR PRECEPTOR SHOULD GUIDE YOU AND ASK YOU WHAT THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO MOST AND THEN THEY SHOULD AS LOOK FOR THE THINGS YOU FEAR MOST AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH THEM.

A MENTOR HOWEVER WILL NOT APPROACH YOU BUT AWAITS FOR YOU TO SEEK THEM. THEY WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE MOMENTS YOU NEED HELP MOST AND WILL HELP YOU ESTABLISH THE SKILL AND METALITY YOU SEEK MOST.

CMERN · Oct 22, 2002

Hey... see how the two nights go with out her as preceptor...uhm ..if need be dont wait. Ask for new preceptor..Say that uhhh well ..you would like a good experience and you two just dont click...if that doesnt suffice..tell them what you have told us....Really in the E.R. a good preceptor makes all the difference. Plus hey its stressful enough but some nurse preceptors can make it intolerable.

TexasRN31 · Oct 22, 2002

Well, she has been on vacation/called in sick the past 5 times I was suppose to be with her so I've had 2 other temporary preceptors. Both have been AWESOME and willing to precept me. When I asked the educator if I could switch she almost went ballistic on me, saying I should give my original preceptor a chance and just b/c she hasn't been to preceptor class shouldn't matter (?????). Hard to give someone a chance when she's never there! Anyway, I've made some contacts with others who are willing to mentor me if not precept me, so all is not lost. I have learned so much and I LOVE the ED, I'm not going to let a lousy preceptor ruin it. *smiles*

TexasRN31 · Oct 22, 2002

P.S. I'm sure my preceptor is a good nurse (from the 2 times I saw her) and I can learn something from her, but the problem is her constant complaining. I can't learn with that attitude and how am I suppose to tell her that without her then 'getting me back' by not teaching me anything.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2002

Howdy yall

from deep in the heart of texas

you have only a couple of options

1. notify your supervisor there is a problem

2. notify your preceptor that you are there to learn how to nurse not gripe

3. take her to breakfast for a friendly chat

doo wah ditty

CMERN · Oct 26, 2002

TexasRN31---Im so glad you had some AWSOME precepting. I like your attitude..its perfect..learn what you can from them all..(even the original receptor, I mean preceptor) Maybe just try totally ignoring the complaining, only respond to any positive input she might have to offer..and maybe just maybe she'll do all her complaining in some one elses ear. Good Luck..you will make it FINE. :cool:

2banurse · Dec 12, 2002

TexasRN31, how has things turned out for you?

TexasRN31 · Dec 13, 2002

Thanks for asking 2banurse~

Things have worked out after all. I love the ER too much to let this preceptor thing get in the way. And, to tell the truth, I survived the Critical Care Residency and clincals. I have learned ALOT and will be on my own Dec. 18th. Of course I'll still have questions and need some assistance, but I feel ready to get out there and do it. This preceptor business was positive in that when it comes time for me to precept I'll have an idea of what to do and what not to do. There is always something to learn with each experience, good or bad.

RNFROG3, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2002

What an outstanding attitude!! Dec 18th not to far away. Don't be afraid to still lean on your real mentors even though you aren't precepted any more. And never lose that attitude it was so refreshing to read I wish I was in TX! Good luck though I'm sure you'll be great. I love it when we get new blood! I learn from them as much as I hope they learn from me. Two thing s to remember ER only works when the team works together and most important wear comfortable shoes!!!

TexasRN31 · Dec 19, 2002

Wow! I actually survived my 1st "real" day as an ER nurse. OMG. I knew I would get my orifice kicked and sure enough did, but it was AWESOME! Most of it was coming onto a bunch of 'stuff'~ difficult discharge (can't walk, no ride home, social work not coming on shift till 0830), hypotensive pt getting blood and needing to go to nuclear medicine, cardiac enzymes on 2 pts due at 0730 and 0745, AM VS and assessment. My co-workers and managers were very supportive and helpful, I could not have survived the 1st few hours without them. Most of it I did on my own, but it was the encouragement and reassurance that got me through it. That teamwork and positive attitude is why I transferred to the ER, I still had a smile on my face through most of it (haha) and definately one at the end of shift.

I learned that the ER is not a sprint, but an endurance test.

Thanks RNFROG3 for your sweet comments :) I really appreciate your comments and everyone elses on this bulletin board.

Have to get to bed now, another exciting day tomorrow, day 2!

p.s. one of the nurses told me i'd never forget this day- i believe him, i'll always remember this day as the day i got a reality dose, but i'll also remember smiling while walking to my car at the end of the day.

2banurse · Dec 19, 2002

Glad that your first day went well! Congratulations!