Precepting

I've been asked by my manager to precept a new graduate nurse in a step-down ICU. I've been employed there for about 14 months and am also a fairly new RN, having graduated in May 2017.

I get good feedback from coworkers, charge nurses, patients and my manager and feel like I have the skills and personality necessary to do this well.

I've precepted before as a nurse assistant; however, this will will be my first time precepting as an RN. Any words of wisdom from you folks who have done this before?

Just share what you know and know when to consult more senior nurses. I think new nurses can make good preceptors if they're well aware of their human (and other) resources.

I like to ask preceptees for their preferred style of learning and see if we can meet halfway. Some people like a lot of freedom and choices and others feel more secure with being micro-managed to start out with.

Also, as your manager what the expected time line is for a new nurse. Obviously the new nurse probably is probably just going to be observing and getting the lay of the land for the unit the first day. Introduce the new nurse to charting, giving meds, etc. See when your NM expects them to take a patient on their own--likely they will be ready on day 2. How may patients does one nurse on your unit usually have? When does the NM expect the new nurse to have a full assignment with you just there as a resource?

Also, try not to micromanage, but, at the same time, make sure you are aware of what you preceptee is doing--if he/she makes an error that you could have caught, it will reflect poorly on you.

Finally, maintain good communication with your orientee. Don't coddle them, but you do want them to feel comfortable coming to you with questions/issues.