Preceptors: Advice for New Grad Nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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For those who are/have been preceptors for new grads, what are some things that you look/expect from a new grad? I am starting a new grad program soon and I really want to prepare and make sure that I maximize the time I have with a preceptor. It will be in a med-surg floor. Also what are common traits that you have seen with successful new grads and common mistakes made by unsuccessful new grads?

RNperdiem, RN

4,592 Posts

The new grads who do well are confident enough to believe they can learn yet humble enough to be teachable.

New grads who project an attitude of knowing everything already and who cannot handle criticism are trouble.

I would recommend that a new grad find where the hospital's policy and procedure manual can be found; it will answer many of your questions and is a great reference guide.

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I expect my new grads to ask a lot of questions. I know that they don't know everything, and I respect them more when they are honest and confident enough to admit what they don't know and ask questions so that they can learn. Be clear about what you know, what you're comfortable doing on your own, and what you haven't done before. I don't care if you never did a urinary cathether in nursing school. I DO care if you've never done one and try to feign competence, because that's putting the patient at risk. I expect new grads to ask for help, or at the very least supervision, when performing a new skill. If a new grad were resistant or defensive when let them know I'll be supervising or offer correction or advice, that would be a red flag. I expect them to seek out learning opportunities by asking to observe or assist with procedures for their patients and other patients. Never use language like, "I already know that." or "I don't need to see that again." because this come off as an unteachable mentality. I also expect any orientee- new grad or not- to be kind and respectful toward their co-workers regardless of their role.

Specializes in MedSurg, ICU.

As a brand new baby nurse, I'm still in my preceptorship on a medsurge floor. My first few days, I was absolutely terrified I would be expected to know how to do anything and everything when I knew that I honestly did NOT know how to do anything and everything.

I think I earned fast trust with my preceptor mostly because I am extremely honest about my abilities. I've been fast to run to her and ask how to perform something, to be accompanied for something I'm familiar with but not confident to do alone, and to observe a task I haven't been exposed to.

I've asked so many questions, some of which were embarrassing "no duh" things and some of which may have been a little less "no duh". I graduated from a program that has a reputation for shelling out new nurses that have a "know it all" attitude, however I am no where near that personality type.

I've asked for assistance with nearly every aspect of the job. The key, in my eyes, is to honestly learn from the time with preceptorship and being new and to never use your new-grad status as an excuse to get out of doing a task you aren't terribly excited for. For example, I admittedly did not get a lot of experience in school doing ADL activities such as bed baths, linen changes, and other things like that. My biggest pet peeve I have developed is seeing nurses who think they are too good to do these tasks. Yes, I ask my CNA coworkers for assistance, but I ask to BE ASSISTED instead of demanding a task be done. My pt needs changing after diarrhea? Cool. I'll ask a CNA for assistance, actively participate, ask for advice and tips, and learn from it so I can be a better help for the next time it happens. I've learned a LOT doing this, because you should NEVER make the mistake of thinking your CNA is supposed to do these things at the drop of a hat because "nurses aren't paid for that". Yeah we are freaking paid for that. We are paid to be there for the pt and to work as a team member.

I've made mistakes, I've been giggled at a few times (in a good humored way), and I've felt utterly useless a few times as well. It's all part of growing and getting your feet wet. Those amazing nurses we admire weren't amazing when they first left school. They started where every one of us does. Take each opportunity to learn and try to enjoy the process. Use your knowledge from school to be a safe caregiver, and utilize all the people you work with to learn how to get better.

Lastly, pay it back. Be appreciative. Be thankful. Be humble. Offer help where you can. Be an active learner with the potential to become an asset for your patients, their families, and your coworkers.

allnurses Guide

Nurse SMS, MSN, RN

6,843 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I expect a new grad to be curious and want to know new things.

I expect a new grad to be cautious but willing to try. Nerves are normal. Avoidance is a problem. Along these lines, I expect a new grad to manage their anxiety and not let it interfere with patient care or work flows.

I expect a new grad to show initiative about answering their own questions before coming to me, particularly the further they get into their internship.

I expect a new grad to understand the difference between "ideal world/nursing school" and "real world"

I expect a new grad to have almost no critical thinking skills, but to show signs of beginning to build them as we progress.

I expect a new grad to need help learning how to delegate.

I expect a new grad to understand that before they can even begin to develop critical thinking they will have to develop good time management. If no progress is made on this front, I expect the new grad to fail. Harsh but true. You can't survive without good time management.

I expect a new grad to understand HIPAA.

I expect a new grad to be safe above all else.

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