Precepting my first nursing student. Advice needed!

mroseRN · Sep 14, 2013

I think that just her watching you, and seeing how you organize your day is great shadowing experience. Granted, she is a senior and is surely out of the "shadowing" phase...I can remember that sometimes shadowing can be just as good as the hands on stuff. Hopefully, the next time she is with you, you will be able to assign her a patient or two. Maybe she can pass the meds on her patients, and do the assessments and charting? Best of luck! :nurse:

The_Optimist · Sep 15, 2013

She has time enough to do her medications and stuff...she will do that constantly.I would suggest

1. find out here expectations of nursing and time spent with you. Encourage her to talk.

2. You were a new nurse not too long ago yourself.Think about those helpful suggestions that could have been given to you in school.

3. show her how to navigate in the nursing world with pts, drs, and colleague and other staff.

4. Don't just tell her why you do the things you do, during your assessments. Either explain to her or encourage her to find out for herself. But let her understand the etiology of what you're doing.

5. be patient with her. People learn best in a thriving environment when they know you are rooting for them to succeed.

6. Be lavish in your praise. Cheer her successes on and work with her to build upon her weaknesses.

7. Talk to her as a colleague and don't be afraid to send her to a non-threatening environment. It will build her confidence.

8. Good luck for in teaching her, you yourself are taught:) Mazel Tov!

Calibound28 · Sep 16, 2013

I've been a preceptor for couple of years now, and I find that the most helpful thing you can do for a new nurse is to meet them where they are. Meaning ask her what she would like to focus on, how comfortable she is doing specific tasks, what makes her feel uncomfortable. Make a plan at the beginning of the shift of what she will do that day and agree on a phrase (ie: "why don't you go ahead") if she feels like she's in too deep, so the patient doesn't know that she's about to lose it. ;-) Also, it's VERY important for new nurses that YOU to be organized, and teach them to be organized. Everything is very black and white and task oriented at first, don't expect too much, explain things repeatedly, and be patient. Also remember that this experience will effect her entire career, so be kind. Good luck!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2013

For my money, besides asking her to ask you everything, the best thing you can do is this:Think out loud for everything you do, no matter how obvious. Why? Because you will find almost immediately that everything you do gets slotted into your prioritizing calendar, and this is the one thing that newbies struggle with the most.

After a bit you can say, "Now we're going to do A, and then B," and then say, "Why do you think we'll do A first/put B off until later?" And see how she's coming along with that.

Another good question to ask is, "Why do we care about this?" and then if she tells you, praisepraise, reinforcereinforce. If not, explain the bigger picture involved. Watch for her eyes to (1) light up (pat yourself and her on the back) or (2) cross in confusion (break it down into smaller parts until you see (1) ).

canned_bread · Sep 18, 2013

I myself, a few months ago, recently had a day like that. I can sympathise, but it gets better!

I would think the first day, give her 4 easy patients, and say "if you need me, call me" and offer help throughout the day. Some students take a few days to get their feet on the floor, prioritise work load, work out where everything is and the protocol for different things. See how she does and expect lot of questions. If she asks questions, she is comfortable with you and really is trying. If she doesn't cope with that, give her a few more days like that until you see she has time to sit down! Then grow from there. I would also ask her how she feel she is coping, what she wants. Lots of praise as well, she is terrified (I was!).