Having more than one preceptor...

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

sucks. I feel for you all who have had like, 6 of them. I had one for 6 weeks. She was great. Then I went to nights and had a different one.

They do things differently, of course. But I feel like when i'm with one of them, i should do it their way. They tape down IV's different, they chart different, they put nurses' notes in different places, etc. Hard to get used to.

So I feel for ya'll with lots of preceptors!!

[DusktilDawn]

Hi Rose,

I've precepted new employees.I don't expect them to do things the way I do, however, I do expect them to follow procedures and policies. I usually talk to whomever I precept so that we both can discuss what each others expectations are and what we both feel are our responsibilities toward each other as preceptor & orientee. I find this really helps us both out. Perhaps having this type of discussion would help your situation.

I wish you all the best with you new job.

[grinnurse, RN]

Happy I agree with you. I had 3 and each one did things differently and frowned on how the others did it. So, I kind of used this to my advantage. What I liked that one did I kept and so on and so forth until I decide how I want to do it. They don't do alot of things like in NS but I try to keep with what I was taught b/c that's what I got used to.

Good luck.

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

I've been in my RN orientation for 3 weeks now & have had 7 different preceptors so far. I say so far because it is very possible that when I go in tomorrow I'll have yet a new one! But honestly, I really don't care either way. I like the unit I'm on & did my senior student internship here last semester, so I came in already knowing the unit very well & what I was supposed to be doing. Now I have 3 patients pretty much on my own & I just go up to my preceptor when I need help with doing something for the first time (or second time). I do almost everything on my own-assessments, give out meds, do admissions, discharge, do some patient teaching (reinforce diabetic teaching on meds &diet, & also explain actions/side effects of meds to pts), & any treatments I know how to do well like IVFs, IV pushes, etc. When I had a pt. on a heparin drip for the first & then second time last week & this week, I asked my preceptors to come in with me & show me what to do. Now I feel like I can do it on my own cuz they pretty much answered my questions & i understand my role with that. I have to say, even though it may sound crazy to have had so many different preceptors, they have really been all great & helpful & none of them tried to force me to do things "my way." So I'm lucky for that! :) I feel like I'm mostly independent & know enough that I know when I should ask for help with unfamiliar procedures/concepts, etc. I guess I'm trying to say I know what I can handle on my own & what I can't unless I get help. And I ask a lot of questions to every nurse (RN, LPN-they are all so great at what they do)even if they are not my preceptor for the day. I guess this has made me very flexible already! :)

-Christine