Preceptor, not getting better

[twooten]

I need advice, I am in my final semester and working with my preceptor on a renal/liver/urology floor. My preceptor is very nice but new to precepting. I feel like I am not improving or really learning anything. I am half way through and I feel like everything has been all wrong. I hear people talk at school about how much they are learning and how their preceptor is a wealth of knowledge. I feel like I have to track mine down to ask a question and she never explains anything. I don't know what to do, I can't change now. I want to make the best out of the situation but I don't how to handle it. I actually feel like I am getting worse just feeling apathetic and stressed. I don't feel like she is supervising me enough but it seems like she doesn't have time to follow me around. Any tips.

[Jules A, MSN]

When its time for her evaluation you can offer your concerns but in the meantime I'd let it go. Just my opinion but I'm not in nursing school to really learn a speciality. I've had some that were great and some that were not so great. If needed I'm ok just putting in the time and learing what I can independently or approaching another nurse that would be open to allowing me to learn new skills or answer questions. Perhaps there are other nurses on the floor that would be willing to take you under their wing. Hang in there. Jules

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I agree with Jules. Do the best you can to get through this and graduate. Most of your true learning will come with your job (hopefully).

We are primarily assigned to med/surg floors for our preceptorships and the reason given for this is that we will get additional experience/knowledge for the NCLEX which is primarily based on adult med/surg. If you can determine that that's what you're losing through this experience, spend more time with Saunders, and less time worrying about what you're not getting through this experience. It's tough when you feel like you're being shortchanged, but I think there's just such a lack of experienced RNs who are willing to preceptor that this is bound to happen. Make sure you make constructive recommendations on your eval as suggested by Jules and then go on to graduate!!

Congrats!!

[2bNurse Elizabeth]

I feel like this is a really stupid question, but I'm not quite sure what having a preceptor is all about. I'll be starting nursing school in August, so I don't know all the ins and outs yet. Is this something you do later in your training? Thanks!

[travel soon]

Hi 2bNurse Elizabeth,

You aren't stupid, you shouldn't know what it means as you haven't been that far yet. Anyway, a preceptor is a nurse who you will do clinicals with one on one in your final semester. We no longer have an instructor following us around watching everything. Basically you will start out working along side the preceptor and as you build your skills ect. you will eventually take over her patient load as your own (while she is still there to help at all times). It is meant to be a great learning experience so that you will know what it is like to work basically by yourself but yet still have help should you need it. Your preceptor will evaluate you instead of your old instructor. Hope that helps.