New Grad - Preceptor Issue

[newgrad_rn7]

I've only been working as a new grad for 1 week and I'm not able to sleep because of stress. I have been assigned different preceptors for every shift so far and they've all told me to do things differently. One preceptor in particular made me extremely uncomfortable. She was telling me to work outside of my scope and to just give a medication, even though it wasn't ordered for the reason we were going to give it. I told her I wouldn't be signing my name for that medication and she got irritated, and even tried to use my computer to administer the medication (with me standing right there).

She also ignored me when my patient went into afib-RVR and later when she decided to care, she proceeded to hang the medications incorrectly (I only know this now because I was taught the right way in a new grad class). 

I am just very worried that I will be taught the incorrect way of doing things and not even know it. Could I lose my license for something my preceptor tells me to do? 

[LubbDubb77, BSN, RN]

What specialty are you in? Have you spoked to the nurse educator or management about needing a single preceptor and the disadvantages/concerns over switching everyday? 

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Tell the head nurse your concerns.  If they ignore you talk to their boss.  Charting something that was given under someone else's name is fireable action. A lot of units are short staffed so having a different preceptor is not uncommon unless they have you mirroring their schedule.  Also people call out sick etc.  Ask if you can work the same schedule with a preceptor you are comfortable with.  Be proactive. Communicate. Good luck. 

[Noideanurse1, BSN]

Don't do anything outside of your scope just bc your preceptor tells you to. As a licensed nurse, no longer a student, the responsibility for your actions is yours. Tell her no, even if it's uncomfortable! Same...I had I think 5 different preceptors in a 6 week period. Some new grads are lucky and have the same person the whole time who is involved and interested in training. Nurses and units vary. 
just say your "not comfortable with…” a few weeks in I had a nurse manager tell me to scan a med in the MAR logged in under another nurse I was helping. He was occupied with one of his patients, while another of his needed immediate help. It's wrong, but sometimes things like that will happen. Go with your gut and don't do anything you're not comfortable with is the best advice I can give, and I'm still new at this myself. Good luck hun!! 

[Shan, RN]

I was with one preceptor for the first half of my orientation and a second preceptor for the latter half - but several other preceptors were interspersed quite often when my primary was on PTO or our schedules didn't quite line up. Fortunately, none of my preceptors ever put me in a position like you're describing.

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 I have been assigned different preceptors for every shift so far and they've all told me to do things differently. 

I definitely understand how this can be frustrating, especially when everyone is insisting that their way is the "right" way. And obviously, there often is a right way to do something, especially when your institution's policies say so (in which case I would hope that you're not receiving too many conflicting instructions since everyone should be following policy - but that's a perfect world and those don't exist outside of the NCLEX). However, there are often multiple ways to accomplish the same task and I found it very valuable to learn several different methods for doing so. Nursing is an art and a practice, and every preceptor taught me something that sticks with me to this day (even if that "something" was what not to do, haha). Also, preceptors have different strengths; one may be good at foleys and another may be better at NG tubes, so capitalize on those differing facets of expertise. When in doubt, just prioritize patient safety above all else. There are no dumb questions - if you have a concern, voice it professionally and privately (I.e. not in front of the patient). Best of luck!

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

Try to take a deep breath.  You have had three shifts. Perhaps when your schedule was made your preceptor had to make changes, called out, or had a last minute change.

Since everything is still new, perhaps your preceptor's reaction to certain things might not be as they seem. Hard to say as you are describing your experience as a brand new nurse. 

Read up on practices at your facility and unit as they may be different from a nursing school version. Check in with the nurse educator.  Ask your educator for resources that the unit uses and follows.  Some preceptors may not be good preceptors or nurses, others may be excellent nurses but not great at precepting, and others a great at both.

Always ask about what the policy states.  There are times when people do not follow policy or the policy may need to be adjusted to reflect how things are actually done.  Before you just ask questions, try and look up the process first, reference it, and ask how to procede.