P A S S E D!!

[GCom24]

Hi everyone! Long time lurker throughout my past two years in school. Lots of good advice here, inspiring stories, and just good laughs! I graduated May 16, ATT on June 18, Tested on June 25. (75 ?'s, Positive PVT). Boom, my name was on the BON site yesterday! So happy and excited! Oh, and I will be starting orientation on a Med-Surg floor July 8th!

[nlitened]

Congratulations and good luck in your new position!

[MissyNik]

Congrats to you!!!!! enjoy orientation it will be full of great info!

[GCom24, ASN, RN]

I don't know if any of you out there are preceptors yourself, but what would be some good questions to ask. I know in trying to teach people things, it's easy to forget the things that are second-nature to us. What are some good questions, things to be curious about, to help keep the ball rolling and the learning happenin'!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Congratulations, and welcome to the fold :)

[grneyz083]

Congrats!! That's so exciting!

[nursel56]

I don't know if any of you out there are preceptors yourself, but what would be some good questions to ask. I know in trying to teach people things, it's easy to forget the things that are second-nature to us. What are some good questions, things to be curious about, to help keep the ball rolling and the learning happenin'!

I think the first rule of questions is to be aware of what is going on before you ask your question.

I would ask questions that apply to the individual you are caring for specifically rather than asking about things readily available in textbooks. That will let your preceptor know you've done your homework and are thinking critically about how it relates to your patient.

Generally a preceptor has his or her own patient assignment, so sometimes an offer to help out by getting supplies, etc is better than asking questions. An acute situation will most likely have your preceptor in a state of tunnel vision. This is not a good time to ask things such as "why did you decide to become a nurse?"

Most preceptors understandably hate it when a new hire asks the same question over and over. If you ask questions that indicate you've absorbed the basics and wish to further your understanding, it's going to impress your preceptor and make the best use of her time as well as yours.

I'd also say that if your relationship with your preceptor starts heading south for any reason, deal with it right away. It is pretty common to hear people who are let go during their first months on the job tell us of a completely dysfunctional preceptor-new nurse relationship they never mentioned to anyone.

If something bad happens, do not begin to cry uncontrollably while others pick up the slack. I know you most likely know this but it comes up frequently enough I thought I should mention it.

That's my I think your new employer will be glad they hired you.