How To Make The Most of My PICU preceptorship?

[brina]

Hello, everybody! I am entering my final semester of nursing school, and I will graduate with my BSN on December 16th!! I found out that I will be precepting in the PICU at the very hospital that I want to work once I graduate. I was wondering if you all had any advice or suggestions for me as I do my preceptorship. The PICU was my first choice and I believe that this is exactly where I want to be after graduation. Are there any warning signs that I should look for during my 4 mts there that would alert me that I need to consider a different facility? How indicative of my preceptorship is how it is going to be for me as a graduate nurse? Do you think there are certain skills that I should try to concentrate on while I am there that will benefit me most after graduation? I am sooo excited! I really want to make the most of time there. I feel so blessed that I am able to have a "trial" period at the exact same unit and hospital that I hope to work in after graduation. Anything you all have to offer... suggestions, or ANYTHING, will be greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from you all soon!

Brina BSN GRADUATE DEC. 16, 2005

[Bean RN]

Brina,

I did my preceptorship in the PICU recently and I was on nights. I had an amazing experience, What I can offer to you is to be willing to go the extra mile and be open to learning everything you can from the Healthcare team. I was in a teaching hospital which made a huge difference, I found it easy to approach the residents and ask questions, offer suggestions, and share my observations. Peds are a special population that I love also.

Best wishes to you,

C