Precepting Students?

TazziRN, RN · Aug 25, 2007

A) Don't assume that she knows everything textbook-wise just because she just graduated.

B) Don't assume she knows nothing textbook-wise just because she's a new grad.

Cosper123 · Aug 25, 2007

Hi all! I have just agreed to take a senior level nursing student for 8 weeks or so...I've never worked with a student before (though I do remember what it's like to be one! ). So, any advice from anyone who has? I'm a little afraid that I'll get a nervous one, but even more that I might get one who is smarter than me! I really agreed to do this because the school is desperately in need of preceptors, and because I thought it would be good experience for me - I might just learn something! Anyway, any advice would be appreciated...we don't usually have too many students on my shift, so it's been awhile since I've been around them! Thank you!

From the perspective of a student I am just glad you are keeping in perspective what it was like to be a student. Just remember to treat them with respect, and hopefully they won't be an arrogant little twit

I have appreciated Nurses who have taken the time to teach me things from their actual experience, and who take the time (and patience) to explain things to me in a detail they may not be used to.

I think just starting off on the right foot and explaining your concerns (both for you and the student) would be your best bet. Hopefully you'll have a student that appreciates that and you both can have as good an experience as possible.

Good luck, and thanks for remembering what it's like to be a student :)

Always Learning, RN · Aug 25, 2007

MIKOo14,

As a student who just started my preceptorship this week, "THANK YOU!" It was very difficult for the faculty and staff to find preceptors for my entire class (actually only half of the class at a time) and we really do appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge with us.

Please know that most any student that you get will be nervous and scared, some are good at covering it up and others not. To some extent, we want to impress you enough that you will allow us to do as many skills and take on as much responsibility for managing the patient as possible (after all we learn by doing), but this can easily come across as arrogance if not done very carefully.

Each of the students in my class are at different skill levels, due to our individual clinical experiences, clinical instructors and patients we have had the opportunity to work with. Many in my class have never started an IV, most of my class have never given an IM injection.

It is nice when a nurse says "What have you had the opportunity to do so far?"

Yes, there are a few know-it-alls but for the most part we all want to learn.

I know that the floor gets busy, and nurses don't always have time to explain every procedure, but it sure is wonderful when the time allows. Most of us appreciate the "see-one; do-one" approach.

Ask your student what the school allows students to do, and if at all possible, let them do as much of it as he/she can.

Example, my program allows students to push IV meds as long as an RN is in the room, when my preceptor asked me to go push a med while she checked on another pt, I explained an RN had to be present, she rolled her eyes and said she might as well go do it herself, took the meds and sent me to get vitals on a third patient. This is a missed learning experience for me. I have to look up the meds if I give them, find the push times, compatibility, reactions, adverse effects before I give the meds (regardless of how well we know the med), and I cannot give them if I did not see the order and draw the med. So it does take a while for a student to do what it would take an RN only seconds, but if an instructor walked in on a student who did not have this info or the RN not present when pushing the med, they would be dismissed from the program.

Not trying to vent with my experience, just an example of how a simple request can put a student in a very precarious situation. I know how busy she was, had 5 patients and a student at the time, but I can't risk being kicked out of school and never receiving a license.

When we ask questions, it is not to put you on the spot, it is to learn how and why. Be patient with us, we want to learn!

And don't be too critical if we were taught things a little differently than you were. I was once reamed because I was taught to add an equal amount of air in a vial before extracting the med. The nurse said it was a waste of time (among other things), but this is how we were taught in lab, so this is how I preformed the task. As long as it is good technique and does not break sterile field or pose risk to the patient, it is most likely just the method the student was taught.

The fact that you are concerned about this tells me you will be a wonderful preceptor!

Best Wishes, and thank you again!

____________________________

Graduating in December '07

Excited, and scared all at the same time! :monkeydance::chair:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2007

I used to precept students often. It's one thing I miss about my current position.

You have to take each student individually and identify their strengths and weaknesses. When you find a weakness always begin with a positive "you did a great job with..........but lets work on......". Always end the day on a positive note.

Never be too embarrased to answer "I don't know, but lets learn together" because students can come up with very important, yet obscure questions sometimes.

I allow them their own routine, saying "this is how I organize my day, but you can come up with your own routine as long as it gets the job done..."

Pick their brain and challenge them. This helps to begin critical thinking and not just being task oriented, although know that new nurses are very task oriented and that's normal. "Why is this patient getting this medication?" "What should your focus be on in this patient when you're doing your assessment?" "Notice this patient's CO2 is low, why is that a problem, what can we do?", etc. They are also a wealth of knowledge to you and let them share what they've just learned.

Allow them the first day to shadow and not take patients. Have them follow you, learn from you, but definitely allow them to do the fun stuff like dressings, IVs, catheters, never get too busy you don't let them have this experience.

Be patient, patient and patient more. I have had some very challenging students. One who would write down every word I said, that was slower than a snail. But she's now an RN and doing fine. Never think that anyone isn't worth the time and effort of your best. But don't be afraid to honestly appraise them. We failed a student that just wasn't interested, just biding time, goofing off and disappearing constantly.

Most of the time I precepted I had to stay behind and finish charting and other things and it was a challenge, but a rewarding one, like I said one that I miss.

Good luck!

Good luck to you.

x_coastie · Aug 26, 2007

That is great that you are helping students, they will think of you for the rest of their careers. I have just started the RN journey, but I have been trained in many different professions/jobs.

The best thing that you could do is explain exactly what you expect of them (in specific terms), and let them know when to help, and when to get out of the way. Any miscommunication is only going to make things worse, and break down the learning experience for both of you. As a trainee I would feel much more comfortable knowing what is expected of me, and the best way I can help/learn.

Thanks for your contribution to the profession

JoniL&DRN · Aug 26, 2007

As a senior student who is currently in the leadership rotation (which requires a 1:1 presectorship) I thank you! I am very grateful to the RN who was willing to take me on. The RN who has worked on the floor more than 30 years, who I'm sure has her own routine that she would rather a student not interrupt, who I'm sure would rather not answer a hundred questions when she could just be doing her job for 12 hours and going home. I love her for her willingness to allow me to follow her around like a lost puppy and for her willingness to teach me and also for her willingness to be taught. Even a veteran RN is learning all the time (computer charting for example which is one thing that is not problematic for me but is a nightmare for her).

Thank you to ALL the preceptors out there who welcome the new RN's with open arms and great knowledge!

ericalynn, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2007

As a new grad who is going through a residency program with a preceptor right now I just want to say that I appreciate you taking the time to introduce a new RN to the real world of nursing!

annaRNC · Aug 26, 2007

I'd like to add my thanks in too. A good preceptor makes such a big difference in adjusting to being an RN. I had a great preceptor and I think it made a big difference in how satisfied I am with where I work. I also have a great boss who is more like a mentor and challenges me to think critically. I've taken on a nursing student or two to shadow me and found it rewarding. I'd love to precept someone in the future to return the favor. Things that helped me where

-Having a preceptor that encouraged me to ask questions

-Treated me like an equal

-Was happy I was there (even though I know it was extra work and the extra $1 an hour wasn't nearly enough)

-Has stayed involved even though I chose to work nights

Thank you again for precepting! A new nurse will be lucky to have someone concerned and interested like you are. All of us benefit from having experienced people willing to help us along.

Anna

miko014 · Aug 28, 2007

Haha Anna - I only get an extra 50 cents an hour! (Obviously not doing it for the money, lol!).

Thank you all for the replies! It's going to be different from what I am used to, I'm sure, but it should be quite interesting!!!

bigsyis · Aug 28, 2007

I used to precept students often. It's one thing I miss about my current position.
Never be too embarrased to answer "I don't know, but lets learn together" because students can come up with very important, yet obscure questions sometimes.
I allow them their own routine, saying "this is how I organize my day, but you can come up with your own routine as long as it gets the job done..."
Pick their brain and challenge them. This helps to begin critical thinking and not just being task oriented...

Great thoughts, Tweety! I too, miss precepting. I always looked forward to the things that I could learn from my student, as well as what I could teach him/her, or what we could learn together.