My Preceptor Won't Stop Yacking!!! What do I do? Please Help!

[notsosupernurse]

Hello guys,

I have been training in the NICU and my preceptor was switched. She is very nice and has 30 years of NICU experience. However, all she does is talk about her personal life, her upcoming retirement and her family, parents, life etc. I mean it is a little uncomfortable to me because I do not have that type of relationship with her. Also, I am learning in the step down currently so there is a lot of babies and lots to do in my assignment . (I am working on organization and my time management) She interrupts when I am auscultating breath sounds and taking heart rates on my babies with stories about her personal life. When I was feeding a baby she was shoving her I-Pad in my face showing me her family photos. When I am charting she sits beside me and talks about her personal life. I just want to focus on the babies and my work, because I don't want to make any mistakes. Although I have been a nurse for many years I am new to NICU and it's so much to learn. I want to make the most of my training while I have a preceptor and not waste it listening to my preceptors personal life. What should ? I don't want to say something and offend /hurt her and I don't want to create enemies or step on anyone's toes. I mean I literally have to pull teeth to get her to talk about the nursing stuff related to NICU. Any suggestions ?????????

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

Ask for another preceptor.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

What happened to the other preceptor? Do you have meetings with manager or CNS on a regular basis? You could bring it up to them that you don't feel this is a good fit. I wouldn't tell them all she does is yammer about herself.

[notsosupernurse]

I replied to this but it didn't post how weird. Well, anyway. We have to be oriented on both nights and days and have a different preceptor for both. That is why I have a different preceptor now because I am on a different shift. No, we do not have regular meetings. Maybe I will bring up to my director that it is not a good fit. However, I fear retaliation from my preceptor or staff. It's seems that everything is publicized there.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

How would they retaliate? We have people switch preceptors because they don't mesh, no big deal. If you aren't learning then you need to do something about it. Have you spoken to this lady and said, hey I do have a lot of experience but this is like Greek to me, so I need guidance? And if it seems to be the nature of the unit to retaliate against people then that is not a good unit.

[notsosupernurse]

I am not sure but alot of the nurses there are very nice and I have some inside scoop and have seen for my self how catty and manipulative they can be with one another. I am more of a laid back personality, honest, straight and serious when it comes to providing care to my patients. I did tell her that I did not know the skills and needed more guidance. She verbalized understanding, but I still had to keep reminding her after that. It's almost over, apparently my preceptor will change for orientation this week, so it all worked out. Also due to the nature of the unit there is a high turnover rate. I am just happy to be doing something I always wanted to do and trying to ignore/avoid the extracurricular negativity as long as I can.