Preceptor not a good match

[neuronurse16]

I have just started as a new grad on an ICU. I have a daytime and nighttime preceptor. Unfortunately, my night preceptor doesn't seem that interested in teaching me. After our first shift together, she praised me for how much I knew how to do. Since then, she leaves me alone for hours at a time. She doesn't take opportunities to teach me and spends most of her time helping other nurses on the unit or hanging out at the nurses' station talking with her friends. I am not generally a paranoid person, but sometimes I feel like she gossips to her friends about me.

I really couldn't care less if she doesn't like me personally. She obviously feels that I'm a safe and competent nurse, because she leaves me to care for our patients completely alone. If she doesn't like me, she needs to at least teach me and support me.

My day-time preceptor is the exact opposite. She wants to oversee more that I do and takes opportunities to teach me.

I have about 7 weeks left of orientation. What would you do?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have about 7 weeks left of orientation. What would you do?

I would learn as much as possible from your day preceptor as well as other nurses on the unit who seem helpful.

You cannot make the night preceptor interested in training you. You also run the risk of being labeled negatively if you complain about her to management or the hospital nurse educator. Unfortunately, people are often selected to be preceptors due to their years of experience even though they are not cut out for orienting new hires.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You said that you night preceptor helps other people on the unit. Maybe you should be a little more assertive (pleasantly) in speaking up about your learning needs. You said she seems to think you are capable of doing a lot. Maybe she is not aware of some of your needs.

I would speak to her about some of your needs. Keep it pleasant, thank her for her help and support, etc. But say that you have a couple of questions or needs that you would like her help with "tonight" or "this week" or whatever. Say that your learning goal for the week is ....(whatever) ... and ask her for a little help with it. Give her a chance to clearly see your need, but don't make yourself look ignorant and incompetent in the process.

Say things like ...

"Before you go, I have a few questions about this patient..."

"One of the things I would like to work on this week is .... Can you help me with that during our next 2 shifts together?"

"Can I run a few things by you about this patient? ... I think I can handle this by myself, but would like you to review my plan before I implement it."

Be specific in your request so that you get the help you need. She may just not be seeing your needs clearly. Take control of your learning -- but be pleasant about it.

[BeenThere2012, ASN, RN]

I think you have the best of both worlds...

The day preceptor is actively teaching you and the night preceptor is allowing you to practice on your own. You learn a lot both ways. You learn the most from your mistakes. Meaning...as you work on your own, you will learn how to work things out for yourself and use your own mind. You have the opportunity to try things and learn things that you might change the next time. During the day, use the time with the preceptor to clarify things you need help with, and directly teach the things you have no experience with. At night, practice what you learned.

I also like the advice llg gave to you. Sometimes those who are not interested in teaching may resist your requests. I definitely would not complain about the night preceptor unless there is something dangerous in what she is doing with you. And, sometimes, you just end up with what you end up with in preceptors. Students and new grads often feel as if they have to learn everything right now. You dont. The information will still be out there and opportunities to learn will always exist. If need be, Just do your best with what you have and try not to waste your time anxious and resentful in the mean time. You sound like an excellent learner and obviously, trying to get as much accomplished as possible. You will do fine.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Night shift preceptor is slacking instead of teaching. NO new grad is competent enough to be left alone for hours in an ICU. When I precepted, we were a team. Doing our assessments and care together.

Go to management and nursing education, explain that you want more one to one time with your preceptor in order to maximize your orientation. I would not let her slack at my expense.