New job! UGH!!!

[Jen2002]

I started a new job a few weeks ago, and my preceptor would rather gossip with the other nurses about her nights out than precept me. She makes me feel very incompetent, even in front of the patients. I have been an RN for 6 years and she only 2. I am afraid to say anything to her or the manager, as it may look badly upon me. Any suggestions? Thanks ahead of time.

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

I started a new job a few weeks ago, and my preceptor would rather gossip with the other nurses about her nights out than precept me. She makes me feel very incompetent, even in front of the patients. I have been an RN for 6 years and she only 2. I am afraid to say anything to her or the manager, as it may look badly upon me. Any suggestions? Thanks ahead of time.

Why not speak to the manager or educator who assigns preceptors? There's nothing wrong with saying you don't feel you are a good fit with your preceptor and would like to try to learn from someone else. We all can't learn from the same person. Your orientation is your time to learn, need to be able to make the best of it. Good luck..

[RN1982]

I agree with the above postere. Ask your manager if you can have a different preceptor.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

You really should discuss this with your manager. You are required to have a certain body of knowledge at the end of your orientation and you are not getting what you need. This girl that is acting as your preceptor seems as if she is very immature. If you have a good charge nurse you might mention this to her first to see if she can assist you.

As the charge nurse on my floor I keep up with the people who are on orientation to make sure they are getting what they need. We had one "preceptor" on nights who used to leave her orientee and sleep through the shift. Well she don't sleep or precept any more. I got rid of her through consistent documentation of her behavior. I just won't put up with it and I have a manager that will take action to correct this kind of stuff.