Preceptor advice

[RNBuddy8114]

Just wanted to share some personal exciting news and get some advice! I'm starting my preceptorship this weekend in the Labor and Delivery unit! I am so excited to learn and participate in actual nurse functions. Any advice on what to brush up on to impress my preceptor? I've refreshed on FHR and the stages so far. Any advice on how to get the most out this experience and set myself up best for potentially getting hired after graduation, would be much appreciated :)

[klone, MSN, RN]

Congratulations! Just be willing and open to learning. Be familiar with the vernacular (first, second, third stage of labor). Maybe grab a book on EFM (but by no means will your preceptor expect you to be an expert, but it would be nice if you weren't completely unfamiliar with it). Even if you could be able to identify a baseline and how to count the time between contractions.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Hi and congratulations. As a preceptor, I appreciate new nurses who are:

*Willing to show up ON TIME, ready to work the minute they hit the floor

*Willing to acknowledge the experience around them, and respect that.

*Able to take constructive criticism in the manner it is intended, and be willing to improve along the lines suggested

*Go the extra mile and jump to every new experience they can (by that I mean, volunteer for EVERY learning opportunity that presents itself.

*Is able to give me feedback on how I am doing; am I not being clear? Am I rushing them? What can I do to make your learning experience more meaningful and pleasant?

Those are basics. If you follow them, your perceptorship should go well. If you are assigned a preceptor with whom you have tried these things and you still cannot work well with her, be sure and let your manager know. But be prepared to come to the table, not critical, but with solutions that would make the situation work better for you.

Be open, be honest, never pretend to know what you don't, and be willing to do anything asked, within reason, to learn.

GOOD LUCK.