Frustrated with preceptor

[tolerantgirl]

I am so frustrated with my preceptor that I want to quit. My preceptor is a great teacher, but has no patience. The biggest gripe I have is that my preceptor chooses to criticize me infront of other nurses. For example, I was giving report and he kept interrupting and telling me to hurry up, I kept losing my train of thought. The other nurse I was giving report to even told him to just let us finish report. I was so embarrassed. He got mad and made another comment to someone else that we were going to be there until midnight and compared me to another nurse that is always at work late. I was just mortified. I was on schedule and I left on time. I can't take it anymore. When I have a question to ask, he sighs and I can tell he is annoyed and then he'll get mad and start slamming things around. When other people ask him what's wrong, he comments that he's helping me get caught up because I am very behind. I always give my meds on time and I am in my patient's rooms all day giving care. My charting is usually what I am behind on, but once I have a moment to sit down, I can get through the charting quickly. I am all for constructive criticism, but this type of criticism in front of others is not helping me. I have confronted him about it in private and have told him that it embarrasses me. I don't know what else to do. I have spoken to my clinical educator about this, but nothing is done. I feel so defeated when I leave work. I have a couple more weeks left and I hope I can make it through it. I just feel so depressed after dealing with him. He is so negative to me in front of others but when we sit down at the end of the day to discuss how I am doing, he tells me that I am too hard on myself and that I am doing great. I am so confused.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Sounds like your preceptor shouldn't be precepting. If you only have a couple of weeks left with him, just focus on taking care of your pts, gaining experience and getting through the ordeal.

With respect to report, do you use a template? Having a list to go through makes giving report more efficient and coherent. If you want, I can email you the hand-off sheet we use in my ER. PM me if you're interested.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

You said your preceptor was a great teacher......I have to disagree with you, he is definitely NOT a great teacher.

Instructors don't treat students like that....ever.

I hope the next couple of weeks go by quickly for you!

[nminodob]

Sounds like your preceptor shouldn't be precepting. If you only have a couple of weeks left with him, just focus on taking care of your pts, gaining experience and getting through the ordeal.

With respect to report, do you use a template? Having a list to go through makes giving report more efficient and coherent. If you want, I can email you the hand-off sheet we use in my ER. PM me if you're interested.

Do you think you could post your template for all of us to see? I also get boggled up when giving report! Thanks!

[RN1982]

Speak with your manager and tell them you want a new preceptor.

[HNursing]

I had the exact same experience with my preceptor. She told my manager that I am not good in this and that. She also said that she had to help me with paper work and calling doctors. Then, two days ago. I was fire from my work because my manager said I make mistakes and all these things I done wrong. It felt like I had done nothing right in that floor. The day they evaluated me for my orientation, a patient fell and my evaluator was there the entire time.

Then around 8:00 I had 4 patients med to give and had to wait for my evaluator to check the med before I can give it.

At 11:00 I had a discharge patient. Calling doctor to finish paper work and give information to patient.

1 patient came back from CT- of the head.

Around 1:00 New patient admission. Then, I had 2 and 4 o'clock medication. Then my evaluator give me 2 more patients.

Then at 4 I had discharge patient again, but I did not have time to finish my other works. My evaluator helped me discharge the patient.

In given report, I did not describe my patient skin assessment.

The next day... You know what happen... My manager just complain on the things I had done wrong on the floor. My manager told me that I am fire and also blacklist in the computer system. I wonder can I find another job some where else just not in the same health system?

If you feel that he is going to fail you. I believe you should quit and get another job because if they terminated you. It is hard to find another job out there.

I hope this help you. I feel really sorry that you have to go through like the way I did.

You just have to move on because some preceptors are do not have the patience and they are not welling to teach you everything. They want to show their seniority. I am looking for place where people are more patient and understand that you are new...

[Lorie P.]

just spend the next 2 weeks focusing on your pt care, med pass and knowing that you are still getting experience in time mgt.

i would pull the preceptor aside again and ask him point blank but in a nice way what is it that i am doing wrong if you tell me i am doing fine. have him explain it to you.

hope all goes well. stay with the job and realize that even nurses with years of experience still have their "off" days and nothing is ever the same 2 days in a row!

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Do you think you could post your template for all of us to see? I also get boggled up when giving report! Thanks!

Can't post it, but PM me with an email so I can attach & send it to you

[onetiredmomma]

Sit down with your preceptor and nurse manager/educator or whatever you call the person. verbalize exactly what you wrote here, that you are getting mixed messages. Your preceptor should not be precepting with this type of attitude and maybe if you point this out to him with his manager present he will get the idea. Sounds like he needs a course in how to be an effective preceptor. Good luck and welcome to nursing.