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Discussion

Looking for a new preceptor with out backlash

I'd like advice on what I should do about asking for a new preceptor. My preceptor is someone I went to nursing school with, they graduated 6 mos prior and they also helped me land an interview for my current position. I'm exceeding greatful for thier assistance to land this postition but... for the last 6 weeks I've done 90% of everthing on my own (medpass, charting, assessments, patient care...) with little to no supervision, I never do anything I've never done before alone and I always ask questions (I'm usually going to other nurses for help) but when I ask for assistance or for help or questions I'm met with annoyance or a frustrated response, to which I've just been dealing with because I know that's how nursing can be at times. But it's becoming overwhelming working with this person who has no patience with me, has me doing all the work while they talk at the nurses station while I do everything on my own, then berates me when I don't know something that was supposed to be taught or shown to me, or if I'm running behind because I'm doing EVERYTHING (won't even check call lights, comes to me and tells me about it). A few of the other nurses on the unit offer me assistance because they see that I'm on my own despite still being a new grad orientee only half way through my training probationary period. I want to seek a new preceptor but I also don't want the backlash from my preceptor who is in my opinion along with a few other nurses is the unit bully. I'm at a loss because I love the job I get along with my coworkers, but he makes my day awful and I work at a psych hospital. Also I've had a conversation with him regarding how he speaks to me and my concerns.

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    • Featured Replies

    First problem here is that you are being precepted by someone with six months more experience than you. That is a ginormous red flag!

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    You have tried to speak with this person and that hasn't been successful. You can pursue a conversation with the preceptor and your manager together, or you can go around him and speak with the manager yourself. In either case, you're unlikely to get through it without some sort of backlash, but unless you leave the unit you're going to have to deal with this person on an ongoing basis anyway. From your description it doesn't sound like that's going to be easy no matter how things go for the rest of your orientation. How much longer are you supposed to be on orientation? Do you have an idea of who you would request as a preceptor, and have you spoken with them about it? Perhaps that person would be willing to suggest a few weeks with them based on what they have observed of your orientation. I agree with Emergent that a preceptor with six months experience isn't ideal anyway, but I know it's occurring at my hospital these days, too. Good luck!

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    • Experts

    Maybe the next time somebody else offers to help you, ask him or her to be your preceptor. You already know there's willingness to help there.

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    • Columnist

    It's a tough situation, I'm sorry. You have a couple of choices to consider.

    You could do nothing. Decide to ride it out until you're off orientation, knowing there is an end in sight. You're pretty self-sufficient, and you won't  have to rock the boat. The downside is you aren't getting a good learning experience.

    Talk to your manager or educator. Chances are good they'll assign you a new preceptor. It's uncomfortable for you, but it's almost sure to give you a better experience that what you describe. Where I work, it's not unheard of to request a new preceptor-you wouldn't be the first person to do so.

    As far as backlash, you can't really control his behavior, just your own. Other people on the unit know how he treats you, whether they say anything or not.

    You could take him aside and tell him that you are going to request another preceptor as it's not working out between the two of you. Best wishes, hope it improves for you.

     

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    • Author
    14 minutes ago, JBMmom said:

    You have tried to speak with this person and that hasn't been successful. You can pursue a conversation with the preceptor and your manager together, or you can go around him and speak with the manager yourself. In either case, you're unlikely to get through it without some sort of backlash, but unless you leave the unit you're going to have to deal with this person on an ongoing basis anyway. From your description it doesn't sound like that's going to be easy no matter how things go for the rest of your orientation. How much longer are you supposed to be on orientation? Do you have an idea of who you would request as a preceptor, and have you spoken with them about it? Perhaps that person would be willing to suggest a few weeks with them based on what they have observed of your orientation. I agree with Emergent that a preceptor with six months experience isn't ideal anyway, but I know it's occurring at my hospital these days, too. Good luck!

    I spoke with them before and there's usually an excuse as to why they do it that way such as: "my preceptor did this to me" "no one will help you, so you have to figure it out yourself". I've had 2 other preceptors while my original preceptor was out sick and it was amazing, unfortunately, one is friends with him so I'm not sure if he'll take me on as an orientee. and the other nurse I haven't had a chance to speak to him to ask if he'd be willing to take me on. Yeah I'm going to have to deal with his theatrics no matter what I do.  

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    20 hours ago, Elm773 said:

    I spoke with them before and there's usually an excuse as to why they do it that way such as: "my preceptor did this to me" "no one will help you, so you have to figure it out yourself".

    It's so unfortunate that people perpetuate the "it happened to me so it should happen to you" model of teaching and precepting. If I had a bad experience, I would work harder to make sure that nurses that followed me did NOT have to go through that. But, there are people that fully subscribe to the misery loves company approach to life and sometimes they end up in charge. I am sorry that you're dealing with it, I hope that something changes and you can get some quality precepted time before you're off orientation. On the plus side, it does sound like you've found a way to be pretty successful even without appropriate support so you're going to end up being a great nurse either way. Good luck!

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