new ER nurse venting out...

[SuperSN2008]

hi yall, i'm a recent grad and now a new RN in the ED and currently going through a preceptorship program. i must say that i love the ED so much but the preceptor i have seems to be so rough in me. for example, if i ask her a "simple" question, she expects me to know the answer already and if i don't the answer, she'd tell me that i'm supposed to know it already since i already learned it in nursing school. on the top of that, she mentioned to me once that she worries about me cuz i've been on training for quite some time and i don't have the brain to think like an ER nurse yet. she also mentioned from the beginning the she'd make things hard on me until i reach my breaking point since we're in the "ER" and i should be ready for the unexpected and pressure.

do ya'll think that training a new nurse a hard way will make someone a better nurse? i feel that being rough on somebody in the nursing field is just going to make us doubt ourselves even more. instead of my preceptor lifting me up, i feel that i'm bringing brought down.

[Guest296136]

Preceptors need to teach, there are no stupid questions. Patient safety comes first, better to ask questions rather than do harm. We have the right as new nurses to have good preceptors, don't let her/him talk down to you. Talk to your educators, be honest and ask for another preceptor if you feel you are not getting what you need.

[care4you]

I too am starting as a new grad in the ER and am doing a preceptorship.... I couldn't imagine having a preceptor like yours... mine is very positive and always compliments me on good ideas... she also loves to answer questions,

If I were you, I would be asking for a new preceptor.... a very critical preceptor can just breed a lack of confidence which isnt good for any new nurse

[nursealanarae]

I had a preceptor that did the same thing. Would tell me "I should know this and that" blah blah blah. I told my educator and she switched me to a new preceptor and it worked out great! Stick up for yourself! You want to learn and be confident. You need someone who will facilitate learning, not impede it.

[patience_care]

It's better that you ask the question than not ask the question. I have heard of some Preceptors doing things like that. However, a Preceptor is supposed to teach you and help you make that transition from GN to professional nurse. I don't understand that because they have been where you are now. They had to start somewhere. Hang in there!

[lunden]

some nurses seem to forget where they came from and that they were once in your shoes. maybe a little reminding might help

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Preceptors need to teach, there are no stupid questions. Patient safety comes first, better to ask questions rather than do harm. We have the right as new nurses to have good preceptors, don't let her/him talk down to you. Talk to your educators, be honest and ask for another preceptor if you feel you are not getting what you need.

I agree. Ask for another person to teach you, not belittle you.

Good luck! ER is awesome.

steph

[pugdad]

I am sorry to hear that your preceptor is being rough on you. I am also a new grad, and I did my practicum in the ED, and have now joined the team. My preceptors was great during te practicum, and will be starting my new employee orientation. The charge nurse that interviewed me told me that some nurses will "eat their young". She told me that if it felt like the preceptor, or any other nurse, gave me that feeling to go talk to her immediately. If I were you, I would speak to your nurse manager, charge nurse, or the dept educator. Good luck!