OMG, I have a preceptor from lazy hell!

Whispera, MSN, RN · Sep 4, 2009

I would assume the manager wants new nurses to learn how to properly care for patients, so while you've mentioned your concerns to the charge nurse, maybe you need to talk to the manager. I hope preceptor you're working with now isn't the only other nurse available!

Aymese · Sep 4, 2009

I'm sorry you're having such a bad experience as a new grad with your preceptor-it is very unfortunate. I feel very strongly that departments should have an organized preceptorship program and nurses precept because they are capable and possess a desire to teach, encourage, challenge and protect new nurses. I'd really like to think that your request for a change of preceptor will be successful...you definitely did the right thing. New nurses have to take initiative if the preceptor/orientee match is not a good one.

Just go up the chain of command...if the charge nurse is responsible for creating pairings and he/she does not give you a new preceptor by the end of next week, go to the manager, and then maybe even the director if you have one for ED. Although the problem mainly lies in her laziness, you could state to your superior that you feel that your teaching/learning styles are just not coinciding. Or you could say what you said in your post (ie making mistakes, scared, etc) A different match would go a long way in helping you become independent by the time you come off orientation. Good luck!!

caliotter3 · Sep 4, 2009

When I was in school, my preceptor in my final semester was "off" by a certain amount. I just figured that I had to put up with her. However, I thought that most of what she said or did was valid to the task. After the end of the semester, I was told some pretty unsettling concerns about her from her peers. The best thing that they said about the individual was that the only reason she precepted was to get her ticket punched for her next promotion. I never even considered to make any kind of complaints about the preceptor, because, as I said, I felt she met the minimum standards for what she was supposed to be doing. Backstabbing or personality clashes or other no-nos really could not be addressed as far as I was concerned. What she did that was really out of line, I could not prove, without the assistance of a third party, and I was not up to complaining, so I just let it all go by the wayside. Sometimes we might need a little prodding to stick up for ourselves. Glad to see that you had enough courage to request a new preceptor. Good for you. :up:

Rabid Response · Sep 5, 2009

By all means ask your manager for a new preceptor. Be as professional and diplomatic as possible when stating the reasons. I guarantee you that this preceptor's coworkers and manager are already aware that she's lazy, so it shouldn't be necessary to bad mouth her outright.

I had a similar experience with one of my first preceptors. The woman was (still is) insane and dumb as a rock to boot. When I requested a change of preceptors in a meeting with my manager and assistant nurse manager I told them that I didn't think my learning style was compatable with the teaching style of my preceptor. They agreed to change my preceptor, and the whole meeting was very professional, but both of them looked like they were going to burst out laughing the whole time. They knew! Everybody knew this nurse could not precept, but she had been pushing and pushing management to assign her a preceptee because that is one of the requirements for promotion to a higher pay grade in my hospital. The next preceptee assigned to her didn't fare as well. She freaked out and threw a fit, complained aloud about her situation and was labeled a whiner by everyone. She was let go before the end of her probation period.

By all means be assertive and advocate for yourself but do so in the most professional way possible. Use this situation as an opportunity to show management and your co-workers how well you manage adversity and conflict. If by some unfortunate chance you must remain with the lazy preceptor, see if you can find someone experienced to serve as an unofficial mentor. But if they won't change your preceptor and you really feel unsafe, you should probably resign in order to protect your license and the safety of patients.

Good luck. I hope everything works out for you.

mindlor · Sep 5, 2009

The only thing I would have done differently is to perhaps have a discussion with the preceptor first......

Something like this....

Hi, you are obviously very experienced and respected and I would really appreciate the opportunity to learn under your guidance....... I appreciate your hands off approach, but I really tend to learn better via active guidance.....

Then see where the conversation goes from there.....

Christy1019, ASN, RN · Sep 6, 2009

The only thing I would have done differently is to perhaps have a discussion with the preceptor first......
Something like this....
Hi, you are obviously very experienced and respected and I would really appreciate the opportunity to learn under your guidance....... I appreciate your hands off approach, but I really tend to learn better via active guidance.....
Then see where the conversation goes from there.....

I hate to sound so cynical here but I have a decent amount of experience with dayshift coworkers that fit the description of her preceptor to a tee and I have a pretty good feeling that if she were to say what you suggested that the lady wouldn't take her seriously and would probably mock her to other coworkers lol. :banghead:

During my orientation I initially had approx 9 diff. preceptors within the first 3wks due to my primary being sick so they kept pairing me up with whoever they thought had enough experience and was available. However this made it very hard for me to learn any type of routine or organizational skills. a lot of them also used the precepting as an excuse to sit back and chat with whomever or play on the computer because now they had someone to do the work for them.

Motivated2Nurse: I'm not sure how the orientation programs are organized at your facility but we have unit educators that run the program, giving us necessary paperwork, info about required classes to take, and frequently email us to see how it is going and if there are any questions/concerns. I did, on a few occasions speak with them about different issues that i was having and they took care of it w/out any problems and actually appreciated getting feedback because as she stated, "if i don't know something isn't working how am i supposed to know to fix it". If you don't have a unit educator speak with you're nurse manager or whoever IS the person making decisions about orientations.

I'm sorry you're having such a crummy experience right now, i can sympathize. As one of the other posters wrote, i would definately make buddies with some of your coworkers (preferrably not the ones that are best friends with your preceptor lol), and ask them for advice/help for anything you aren't sure about, maybe they can show you their techniques etc. sometimes it can be a boost for their ego as well lol.

keep us posted on what happens, and in the mean time, DON'T do ANYTHING you are not sure about or comfortable with because you are intimidated by this nurse rachet. don't be afraid to use your resources, i.e. pharmacy for med questions, physicians for procedures/diagnosis etc. you'll be suprised how much information you will pick up by asking a lot of questions. good luck! :nurse:

motivated2nurse · Sep 6, 2009

Well now, thanks to all that posted and responded....I have a new preceptor....THANK GOD...........She approached me as soon as I got to work and said, "You'll be working with me now" the relief on my face was priceless, she told me she love to teach and do things the right way.....Music to my ears.......The first night with her was a "beautiful" experience...I actually understood what the hell was going on and I feel that I can do this!!!!!!!!!!