Preceptor burnout

[QuarterLife88]

*WARNING* NOT A PLEASANT POST AHEAD.

I've searched, and most of the topics on this discussion are from new grads bemoaning their preceptors and not much about how hard it is to have to mentor new grads, sometimes for months at a time, almost seemingly non stop as the unit goes through staff like regular people go through underwear in a week.

Quite frankly, it's hard as heck to mentor and try and teach someone completely from scratch while still being expected to manage the team. You're forced to slow down from your normal pace, stop and explain every thing you usually do as second nature, and worst of all, deal with the swinging moods of your preceptee day after day. No I do not know everything, and I'm sick of the disrespect I can feel oozing from your pores.

I am burned out. I want to work alone. I hate that my manager has volunteered me to precept. I have NEVER asked to. I'm assuming most nurses want to precept and ask to do so. Maybe I'm wrong on that part. The few shifts these days I work myself are a godsend.

I know a lot love it, but it's not for me. I wish others on my unit were forced to take on a little more responsibility from time to time.

/end rant

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

You will receive backlash for complaining about it.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Please stop referring to all nurses as she:-). I see this in many comments and a few here.

Thanks

Male Nurse

Oh for the love of Pete! And you don't think women get tired of all humans being referred to as "he" everyplace OTHER than here? Suck it up.

[DWelly14]

I hear you. Precpeting is hard and thankless. I think it's definitely reasonable to ask for a break.

And s to all f you saying that OP needs to suck it up because there's always work that no one wants to do, come on. Yes, that's true but she absolutely deserves to take a break for a few months. No one should have the hardest assignments every shift or always be charge. We take turns. Sounds like someone else on her floor needs to take a turn precepting.

[Nicky4149]

During my capstone I have had some great preceptors along with a few not so receptive ones. I agree some people should just say no if they do not want to be a preceptor. No disrespect, no one should be talked down to and I totally understand some of the reasons for not wanting too precept, but please for the sake of us who have to be precepted to get through nursing school or get oriented as a new nurse just say no. I would much rather be with someone who is receptive. Someone I can look up too and hope that I could only be as great a nurse as they are one day.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

During my capstone I have had some great preceptors along with a few not so receptive ones. I agree some people should just say no if they do not want to be a preceptor. No disrespect, no one should be talked down to and I totally understand some of the reasons for not wanting too precept, but please for the sake of us who have to be precepted to get through nursing school or get oriented as a new nurse just say no. I would much rather be with someone who is receptive. Someone I can look up too and hope that I could only be as great a nurse as they are one day.

What apparently so many people have difficulty comprehending is that even if a nurse DOES say no, they will wind up being forced to precept anyway. If you're at work and there are more orientees or students than there are willing preceptors, you will STILL be forced to precept. "Just this once." And tomorrow, "Just this once" again because someone called in sick or took call or something. Even if you've asked for a break from precepting for legitimate reasons, you may still find yourself precepting almost continuously. "Just say no" doesn't change anything. I'm not saying ALL units are like this, but over the past 40 years, I haven't seen one that wasn't.

[QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP]

Thank you for all of the feedback.

I wanted to clarify that on my unit, only a small handful of us are "gifted" with tasks such as precepting and charge, and quite a few who have been there for years manage to skate by and not do their fair share every shift. So no, it is not all being spread around equally, and I'm doing a lot more work on average than some of my coworkers are. I would just like a break once in a while is all.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Thank you for all of the feedback.

I wanted to clarify that on my unit, only a small handful of us are "gifted" with tasks such as precepting and charge, and quite a few who have been there for years manage to skate by and not do their fair share every shift. So no, it is not all being spread around equally, and I'm doing a lot more work on average than some of my coworkers are. I would just like a break once in a while is all.

I firmly believe that you are entitled to a break. We all need to take breaks now and then to stay healthy. That's why I believe every nurse should be expected to help out now and then with the charge and precepting responsibilities. Having everyone pitch in and help is often the only way to give needed breaks to the people who do it regularly.

[caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN]

I love being a preceptor for new grads. They're like new canvases, or highly absorbent sponges, ready to soak up everything I need to teach them about their new role. They don't have any bad habits yet, which are SO hard to break in experienced nurses, and open to new experiences as a nurse. But I also know how exhausting it can be, answering all of their questions (sometimes the same ones) every day while also monitoring their work and double-checking behind them. When done correctly, it's a difficult job. As much as I enjoy it, I also treasure the days when I'm not training anyone new and I can just concentrate on my patients without worrying about what another nurse is doing. I would talk to your manager and explain to them how you're feeling regarding being a preceptor. I'm sure that there's another nurse on your unit who is willing to train new nurses.