got to give feedback about preceptor: AM CONFUSED ?

[newsupernurse]

I have been with this preceptor for more than three mos now, she taught me lot of things basically at skill level and charting stuff. She also covered my charting mistakes sometimes but two things which I observed about her was that she was not liked by some staff members and most of all patients. She shoves all the pills in pt's mouth and pushes IV's in 2 seconds regardless of waiting for a minute-two concerning Narcotics. She runs from computer stuff and all computer stuff I had to figure it out through other nurses. She has not spend time supervising me inserting IV's and doing dressing changes.

Now time is coming where I have to give feedback about her in paper and she would be giving mine. I have this feeling that the way I have worked for her like a slave ( taking all her patients) she would not give me due credit and will not give me that good rating and just an average kind. Because she taught me few skills I am thinking of giving her excellent rating but am scared what if she really screws me up for few things here and there.

any advice please or somebody had similar experience.

[aileenve, ASN, RN]

As a preceptor, she is responsible to observe you with dressing changes and IV starts, how can she evaluate you if she has not seen you working with the pts? She should not precept if she is not competant herself in medications, computer charting, etc. You need to discuss your orientation in your evaluation and touch on areas that you felt you needed help with that she was not available. A preceptor is also a mentor and should be competant and most especially following hospital policies...just don't make it look like you have an issue with her personality, but be honest

[caliotter3]

I would address your concerns with her before the end of the relationship so that hopefully, you won't have negative things to say. She might not even be aware of these shortcomings. She may not be conscious of them and it would not hurt for you to bring it up in a nonthreatening way. I would not go out of my way to criticize a future coworker. You want to build bridges, not burn them.

[pers]

I would say to be honest and not worry about the evaluation she'll be giving you. Evaluations are supposed to be for determining areas of strength and weakness. I don't see anything at all wrong with offering constructive criticism on where your preceptor could improve as a preceptor. I personally wouldn't mention anything regarding how other staff feels about her (or even patients) as to me, your evaluation of her should be focused on your experiences. I would definitely mention that you would have liked her to spend more time supervising you with IV insertions and dressing changes and going over computer stuff that you found confusing. I'd also be sure to mention that she did a great job teaching about charting and whatever other skills she helped you learn.

I have this feeling that the way I have worked for her like a slave ( taking all her patients) she would not give me due credit and will not give me that good rating and just an average kind.

I know orientations are done differently everywhere but where I work, taking all of the preceptor's patients is the goal and being able to take her entire patient load wouldn't exceed standards, it would only meet them. I'm in orientation myself so I realize that you want to do well and have worked really hard. I also recognize that as your orientation went on, things became increasingly difficult for you but less difficult for your preceptor as you began taking a heavier patient load and more responsibilities which lightened her load. However, that's not you working like a slave and she should give you a great evaluation for it, that's her providing you with a good orientation!

In my facility, orientation makes you a "slave" to everyone, especially as a new grad! You won't just be doing procedures on your (or your preceptors) patients, but everyone else's patients as well. Last night we had a patient (not mine) die on our unit. It could be months before a patient in my care dies but since I was on orientation I handled all of the phone calls and paperwork so that when I'm off orientation and it does happen, I'll be better prepared. I'm frequently sent to start IVs in anyone who needs them (even on other units!) because I'm in orientation and need the practice.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I doubt anything you say will make a difference to her. She is obviously marching to her own drum.

You can be factual with being hateful. Something like "I regret we did not cover ----" or "I wish she had not been too busy to answer my questions or assist me with ---".

[GM2RN]

I agree with the other posts. I would like to add that if you DON'T provide constructive critism regarding this preceptor and she does give you a less than good review, it will look like it's all on you and nothing to do with her as a preceptor.

[cb_rn]

Its all about the wording, my dear. :)

See post from classicdame above. Keep it focused on nursing processes and actions, not on personality.

[lkwashington]

I have a few questions of my own.

1. How long has she been precepting?

2. Do you nurse manager/clinical coordinator speak to you how things going?

3. Have you asked the preceptor to show the necessary things or skills that is need to work on the unit?

4.Have any other nurses complain about her precepting?

The reason why I ask these questions because you have been precepting for months. Usually the preceptor reports to the nurse manager every week how the preceptee is doing. You need to speak with the nurse manager before getting out of orientation do not wait until it at the end because it would make it seem that you didnt have a problem with the preceptor. You need to speak up. Everything you said in the first paragraph needs to brought up now not later. Three months gone by.

Now you say she covered for you in charting. Did she show you what you supposely charted wrong. I glad you see the things you dont suppose to be doing. I give Kudos for that. This is not the way to start off on the unit. Speak now and forever to hold you peace. Good luck to you.

[newsupernurse]

thanks all for reply. I am scared of saying anything to her. She has been in my facility for over 20 years and she says everything with authority to everybody. I did tell her that some of the skills we didn't cover and she said that she'll look over it but a week or more went by and she did nothing. Infact, sometimes I was with other preceptors when she was off, i learned more with them and was more relaxed in asking questions.

I learned sbar for docs from someone else and did 1st one with some other preceptor .

I learned NG tube manageent from someone else.

I learned mixing saline with MS from someone else.

I learned chart as we go from someone else and not do it towards end of the day.

I learned filling how to fill assessment sheets completely from someone else.

I learned heparin protocol from my friend from pharmacy.

I learned K-rider and Mag-rider precautions from someone else.

Even after all this, I have always said good things about her to others and also to her. its like small fish is scared of Big fish because she also has to live in same water.

I will try again to talk to her

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

you are an adult and if you do not stand your own ground now when you are on orientation how are you going to be an effective advocate for your patients if you have not been taught proper hospital procedures and guidelines.

Is the preceptor going to be present at this meeting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,maybe set up a time to talk to your NUM or whoever on your own and bring up these concerns................leaving it does NOT fix the problem.

[dscrn]

If you give an a-o-k review, and you are lacking skill observation, you'll be responsible for all skills on the checklist...really setting yourself up. Be honest, write down which tasks were not covered. I understand you not wanting to "upset the applecart"-when all is said and done, it's your license.