Preceptor Friend or Foe??

Trauma Columnist · Aug 3, 2006

I think you have hit the nail on the head - you aren't clicking with this particular preceptor. Nothing wrong with that - ask for a different preceptor. I worked in an ER for 10 years and was a preceptor multiple times. One time it was just obvious that my work habits weren't working with this new orientee. I was kinda hurt when she went to the educator and asked for someone else. However, I was able to get over it and we actually became good friends later on. Its nothing personal - its just not a good fit. Take care.

texaschick · Aug 3, 2006

I really wanted to think maybe it was something else. I do think you are right it not a good fit. The problem is the RN's who precept new nurses get a $4000.00 bonus for precepting. I really think that if I ask for another preceptor that I will end up with the same problem that I already have. Someone to follow around and be thier punching bag while they collect a big fat bonus check for doing so. I think that if you like to teach then you should precept not because they are paying you that much extra. Thats just and opinion but my greatest respect now and hope it will always will be is for those experienced RN's to take us new grads under their wing and teach us the right way to fly.

Trauma Columnist · Aug 3, 2006

Yuck - that does sound like a sticky situation. Maybe after you get through orientation, you should try to provide feedback on this practice. It truly sounds barbaric. How long is your orientation? I loved the ER and really enjoyed precepting. Have you been there long enough to choose another preceptor that might have a better attitude? I will say too that the ENA (Emergency Nurses Association) is a wonderful resource...you will be able to get a lot of up to date information. If all else fails, I would be assertive, pull your preceptor aside and tell them exactly what you need such as:

"I would appreciate you demonstrating placing an NGT so that I can get the technique down correctly."

"For the patient's sake, please show me how you secure this child for the doctor to suture."

"I want to learn things using the correct policy and procedures and I was wondering how you would do such and such?"

If all else fails, pull the preceptor aside, grab their scrub top and say "listen up, I'm new here. If you want to work short-staffed, continue this behavior. Otherwise, help me a little and I will repay you double-fold."

Most ER nurses are pretty aggressive folks and sometimes if they see weakness, they hone in like a mean dog...sorry that I don't have much more to offer. Good luck...let me know how things are going.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2006

I suggest that before you ask for another preceptor, you try talking with the one you have. Some people like to be allowed to proceed on their own and others like to be guided. We all have different learning styles. Maybe this preceptor needs to know yours. She won't know unless you tell her.

In my case, I asked for another preceptor late in my orientation and it did initially cause hard feelings. Her reply to me was that she was sorry that I didn't feel I could come to her. I'm sorry too. It just didn't occur to me to sit down with her and speak up. Everything worked out ok and I loved the new preceptor but I wish I had gone a different route.

MIA-RN1, RN · Aug 4, 2006

I love everyone at my job and I have had many of my coworkers as preceptors but one actually complained in front of me to a supervisor that its hard precepting and that she wanted to get paid extra! I felt about three inches tall. The supervisor told her tho that she needs to let me fly a little, and give me a few patients of my own to work on and it was much better. And no, there is no extra pay lol. This preceptor is actually a wonderful person and outstanding nurse and we get along great now that she doesn't worry that I might do something to risk her license or some such nonsense she was worried about.

I would just ask for a new preceptor. I wouldn't bother talking to this one that you have because she doesn't sound interested and I don['t think she will change. Just speak privately to your supervisor, explain your concern and request that you get reassigned.

jrsyjo · Aug 4, 2006

I'm sorry to hear of the bad preceptor experience(s).

I actually feel truly blessed with my preceptor.

I started a CVICU internship this June in a teaching hospital in Dallas. My preceptor and myself hit it off right from the beginning. I look forward to working on the unit each time I am there knowing she is going to be with me. When I make a mistake, she smiles and shows me what she has learned that would work better in that particular situation. She never has an unkind word to say, or makes me feel "dumb" when I obviously make a dumb mistake. She pulls back just enough to let me build my confidence and develop time management skills but knows when to be there at the "right" time when I need help. At the end of the shift, she always has the most encouraging words to say.

If I was to sit down and right out all the qualities I would seek in a good preceptor (prior to beginning my internship), I would have missed many of the great qualities my preceptor possesses.

What's funny though, is if she was to read this post, she would probably be embarrased by the amount of praise I have for her. My future career as an RN has been enriched by the dedication this young woman has to teaching new RN's.

I believe in the deepest part of my spirit she was handpicked by God to be my preceptor.

I wish blessings upon all of you,

Mark

Trauma Columnist · Aug 4, 2006

Mark - thanks for sharing a very nice story.

CHATSDALE · Aug 4, 2006

some people are not cut out to be preceptors just not their talent but if offered a 4k bonus they volunteer with little $ signs in their pupils funny thing about it but these people never see this in themselves

but this time period is critical to YOUR career by all means talk with her but if you feel that this situation is not going to improve request strongly that you be given someone else

good luck

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

I agree with the advice to talk to the preceptor first.

If nothing changes, nothing changes and all you can do is complain. You need to be your own advocate here. I disagree the person who said to ignore the person and go to the manager. This is usually not effective. Even if the preceptor takes it badly, doesn't change a bit, it's worth it to get your feelilngs out in the open rather than feel like a punching bag.

Ask for what you need. There is nothing wrong with saying "Since inserting an NG is something I haven't done, I would have appreciated it more if you would have talked me through the steps while I was doing it, rather than wait to the end and point out my mistakes because that wound up being uncomfortable for the patient and I felt completely inadequate. I shouldn't have to feel that way because I was unfamiliar with the procedure.".

Because if you feel like a punching bag and dcn't say or do anything about it, you might as well stand with a sign that say "punch me" because you're allowing it. Obviously those that do the punching need to stop but I hope you get my point.

I tell the new grads I precept to please provide me with feedback, because this experience is about them learning. While I would be bothered if someone didn't like my style, I would appreciate a face-to-face talk prior to the preceptee running to the manager. Because I think we would have a more amicable departure, or even perhaps I could work on my skills as a preceptor. I wish I got $4000 bonus. That's generous. However, in light of that kind of money, you have a right to good "customer service" from them. :)

If nothing else you can make it easier on the new grad.

You're feelings of inadequacy and not knowing anything are normal new grad feelings. Most of what we learn is on the job, because there's no way to learn everything in every kind of job in nursing while you're in school.

youngatheart · Aug 4, 2006

I am a new grad and have been assigned 3 different preceptors. So far the two that I have had are terrible. They are really nice people but as far as precepting they are not doing their job. These nurses have also been charge nurses and it is very hard to precept when you have alot going on with your other charge nurse duties. I don't need to be coddled but i need direction. My first two weeks I have been assigned 3 patients per shift. I was left alone to tend for myself. When I needed help I couldn't find my nurses as they were at staff meetings. This has been really upsetting. I finally told my manager to please assign me to a nurse who is not in charge for the day. She apologized for this and said she did not schedule me the first round, but will look into it. Next week i will be assigned to a new preceptor. I feel that it is important in the beginning to be assigned to one nurse, as it has been difficult to adjust to the different preceptors style and way of doing things. Let me get my nursing "legs" first to develop a good working organization. I know that as a new nurse there is a lot to learn and it will take six months to a year to start feeling comfortable. Just lay down a good foundation first. Sorry for the frustration but at end of my rope

LeesieBug · Aug 5, 2006

If all else fails, pull the preceptor aside, grab their scrub top and say "listen up, I'm new here. If you want to work short-staffed, continue this behavior. Otherwise, help me a little and I will repay you double-fold."

TraumaRus...thanks for that line. That gave me a much needed laugh. I have a been with a couple nurses (when my regular preceptor isn't able to work with me) that could have used this wake up call!

By the time my 12 weeks is done, I will have been through 3-4 preceptors the way this hospital does things, which is one of the things I am finding most frustrating. They seem to want to do it in stages...3 weeks with one nurse on 8 hr shift...switch to 12 hour shifts, assigned with another nurse for four weeks, then switch to shift you will be working on with ANOTHER preceptor for the last five weeks or so of orientation.

Each time I am with someone new, they have no idea what I know, where I am at, or what they need to be doing with me. Not to mention how difficult it is for me to deal with a new personality and a new nursing style, correcting me for doing things the way I have already learned them and not the way THEY do them.

Ah, but this too shall pass. :lol2: