Need Tips on Keeping a Preceptor Happy

Chad Collins · Aug 2, 2012

Jump in, work hard, and help everyone as much as you can. They don't know you right now but get to know your co-workers.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Aug 2, 2012

Carry a notebook with you - write down everything you do / learn. Try to categorize it so you can retrieve it later. For example, when you learn about the IV pumps, make a note as to the date. Same for the EMR. Same for doing admissions.

That way, you have a record - and you can get a sense of gaps that need to be addressed.

Now, in a perfect world - it should be comprehensive and organized, and not your job to make it so. But it's not, so take the initiative to proactively manage your orientation the best you can. Later, you will have evidence of how it could be better - helpful info for the next person. And proving your value to your manager.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Aug 2, 2012

Never say "but that's not how we were taught in school"....

sauconyrunner · Aug 2, 2012

Learn to use the "library option" on your computer- usually associated with the hospital. When you can an unusual patient, pull an article, print it, read it and then share with your preceptor. I swear...Chocolate also helps everyone.

No Complaining. None.

Do things that make you not stand out:

Be on time for work every day.

Go to all staff meetings

Don't take overly long breaks

Don't fool around on your phone etc..

SHARE with your preceptor that you are concerned and that you want to make this the best experience you can. That means a lot...

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 3, 2012

If you're asked "do you know how to do a _____" and you DON'T, be sure to say so. Followed immediately by "but I'd love to learn how. Can you show me how?"

Kasandra · Aug 3, 2012

1.) Ask questions of your peers. Know where to go to look up your meds and protocols.

2.) Get organized. Write down times for meds, accuchecks, procedures needing performed, etc. on a piece of paper. Whatever works for you.

3.) Communicate! Let him/her know what has been accomplished to keep them informed so that they are not concerned about what work still needs accomplished.

4.) Remain humble. That is how you will gain the trust of your peers. RNs who act like they know everything, the overly cocky, overconfident types: total safety risks. Patient safety is the top priority.

5.) Follow up with abnormals. Do not simply chart them. When you see an abnormal, the next thing you should be asking yourself is, "So, what am I going to do about this?".

6.) Acknowledge the value of your Nurse Assistants. They are your eyes and ears when you are not in the room with your patient. They can make or break you. Compliment them for work that they do well. When they test you (and you will know when this happens), pull them aside in private, assess what the problem is, communicate, and make your expectations known. Let them know that you have to hold eachother accountable as members of the same team. They will respect you for that.

7) Know your meds. The patient's baseline is always fluctuating. For example: A hypertensive pt that is hypotensive. You would not give their normally scheduled b/p meds. No, instead you would hold them and contact the PCP for follow up. Be a thinker. Slow down when you give your meds! Nurses have the power to help/harm with the meds and care that they provide.

8) Keep a good attitude. Be open to criticism because your colleagues are only watching out for your patient and you when they bring something to your attention. Be proud of your work, but do not take work personally.

I hope that this helps! Good luck!

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2012

Let it be known that you want to practice skills. That way,,if another nurse has to do something that you need practice on, they may let you do it.

If someone asks if you want to do something, do it. Even if you have done in before in clinicals. Every pt is different. So extra practice is good.

rhondaa83 · Aug 3, 2012

Kasandra, that was AMAZING, very good tips, and they are all true!!

CrzySexyCoolRN · Aug 3, 2012

Carry a notebook with you - write down everything you do / learn. Try to categorize it so you can retrieve it later. For example, when you learn about the IV pumps, make a note as to the date. Same for the EMR. Same for doing admissions.
That way, you have a record - and you can get a sense of gaps that need to be addressed.
Now, in a perfect world - it should be comprehensive and organized, and not your job to make it so. But it's not, so take the initiative to proactively manage your orientation the best you can. Later, you will have evidence of how it could be better - helpful info for the next person. And proving your value to your manager.

I really like the notebook idea.. I have noticed a lot of managers really like proactive new grads who are eager to learn and take note of everything they learn. Thank you for the tip!!!

CrzySexyCoolRN · Aug 3, 2012

Never say "but that's not how we were taught in school"....

LOL yeah that's detrimental

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2012

1.)
1)ask questions of your peers. know where to go to look up your meds and protocols.
2.) get organized. write down times for meds, accuchecks, procedures needing performed, etc. on a piece of paper. whatever works for you.
3.) communicate! let him/her know what has been accomplished to keep them informed so that they are not concerned about what work still needs accomplished.
4.) remain humble. that is how you will gain the trust of your peers. rns who act like they know everything, the overly cocky, overconfident types: total safety risks. patient safety is the top priority.
5.) follow up with abnormals. do not simply chart them. when you see an abnormal, the next thing you should be asking yourself is, "so, what am i going to do about this?".
6.) acknowledge the value of your nurse assistants. they are your eyes and ears when you are not in the room with your patient. they can make or break you. compliment them for work that they do well. when they test you (and you will know when this happens), pull them aside in private, assess what the problem is, communicate, and make your expectations known. let them know that you have to hold eachother accountable as members of the same team. they will respect you for that.
7) know your meds. the patient's baseline is always fluctuating. for example: a hypertensive pt that is hypotensive. you would not give their normally scheduled b/p meds. no, instead you would hold them and contact the pcp for follow up. be a thinker. slow down when you give your meds! nurses have the power to help/harm with the meds and care that they provide.
8) keep a good attitude. be open to criticism because your colleagues are only watching out for your patient and you when they bring something to your attention. be proud of your work, but do not take work personally.
i hope that this helps! good luck!

kassandra this is awesome advice! :yeah: well said!