Clinical Preceptorship: Dream Come True

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Found out today that I have been assigned to the level III-B NICU at my preferred hospital, for my 160 hour clinical preceptorship/practicum. Woohoo!

Although I'm greatly excited about it, I also find myself quite intimidated. As some of you may remember, I spent many years as a corrections employee and supervisor for the state of Texas prison system, including a decade on Death Row. But, I don't think the worst day inside those walls had me as antsy as the thought of getting to work with those precious babies in the NICU!

I just keep doing reaffirmations of self: You can do this. You'll be a safe practitioner. You will love it there. They will love you there. No, you have not forgotten everything you learned.

Meet my preceptor tomorrow, and orientation at school Thursday. Start the clinical hours around Sept 1.

Argggggggggggggh! I mean, woohoo!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Found out today that I have been assigned to the level III-B NICU at my preferred hospital, for my 160 hour clinical preceptorship/practicum. Woohoo!

Although I'm greatly excited about it, I also find myself quite intimidated. As some of you may remember, I spent many years as a corrections employee and supervisor for the state of Texas prison system, including a decade on Death Row. But, I don't think the worst day inside those walls had me as antsy as the thought of getting to work with those precious babies in the NICU!

I just keep doing reaffirmations of self: You can do this. You'll be a safe practitioner. You will love it there. They will love you there. No, you have not forgotten everything you learned.

Meet my preceptor tomorrow, and orientation at school Thursday. Start the clinical hours around Sept 1.

Argggggggggggggh! I mean, woohoo!

lol, the amivalence and self knowledge of middle age.......and congrats!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:yeah:I am excited for you! Go forth and learn!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Thanks. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

You'll do wonderfully! A little doubt can be good, keeps you on your toes. Come out here and vent anytime you need to let it out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Thanks, MSM. I appreciate it.

Met the preceptor today. I was a bit miffed that no one had told her she'd been assigned to do it, but she was ok with it and told me to quit apologizing for them not telling her. Said she loves doing it, and promised that I'd get many, many chances to "get my hands dirty". That either means she's going to let me do a lot of procedures, or she plans to make me change all the poopy diapers. LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Awesome, Bortaz! Being with a preceptor that likes to teach can make a big difference.

And a good dose of fear in the NICU is actually a good thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU Level III.

Congrats! I did a preceptorship during school in a level IIIB (erm, that's ECMO and cardiac sx,right?) and it was great! I now work in one. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I'm hoping this translates into a job offer myself! My wife is a manager at the same hospital, so maybe I can use that to my advantage. :o

This NICU does care for cardiac surgery infants, and they also certify all their nurses for chemotherapy of babies, so it's definitely desirable to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment