Preceptorship in ED..any advice?!

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi everyone... I am a senior nursing student about to start my preceptorship in the ED. I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to how I can make myself most helpful and also optimize learning!! I am so nervous and for some reason feel like I will just be in the way! I am personally a very proactive/assertive student who believes that you create your own educational successes to a degree so I am hoping this mentality will help me. I will also be doing nights... Can anyone impart their knowledge and experiences?? Thank you so much in advance!!

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Hi there.. I was an ED tech before I became an ED RN as well. I even asked your same question on this forum. Seeing things from both sides of the spectrum, I would say that the best thing to do is always be willing to help. I feel like most the time if I ask a tech to help me, I get a loud sigh or eye roll and they begrudgingly do it. It's really frustrating. I can look back on my time as a tech and realize that even though I wasn't thanked for it or recognized often, the sheer fact that I would be proactive and ask nurses if they needed help all the time was really the best thing I could have done.

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Sorry I just realized you said student and not tech. Just got off a hell of a night shift. Same rules apply :) I love the nursing students in our ED because they're so curious and always willing to lend a hand. When I was a student I only precepted on the floors and most of the floor nurses were really standoffish and acted annoyed at my presence. I find ED nurses are just grateful for an extra hand and body there. At least I am! Good luck!

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Specializes in Pediatric ED;previous- adult Ortho/Neuro.

Agreed. If you are already a proactive personality willing to take initiative, you will be fine. Get the feel for the flow and pace in your ED, and jump in with what you can, that you are safely able to do. ED is a different beast than inpatient, but those of us that call it home love it. =)

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Congratulations! The ED is a great place to do your preceptorship! Do your best, as if you were being considered for the next job opening. Ask your preceptor if you can use him or her as a reference after you pass your NCLEX.

Who knows, you may well be able to return to the same ED as an RN!

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Specializes in Pediatric ED;previous- adult Ortho/Neuro.
Congratulations! The ED is a great place to do your preceptorship! Do your best, as if you were being considered for the next job opening. Ask your preceptor if you can use him or her as a reference after you pass your NCLEX.

Who knows, you may well be able to return to the same ED as an RN!

Good point! We have many RNs that started with us as Student Interns, loved our department, applied, and are RNs with us. Home-Grown! =) it can definitely be a good In!

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