I was wondering if I could get some help with something. I started a nursing job, my first out of college, 2 1/2 weeks ago. I've been assigned a preceptor that is very good, very smart, and has a great deal of experience. However, she really seems to like getting on me. Many times it's legit. I've just been kinda frazzled and I forget things. I also remember things which is naturally overlooked.
This is my first nursing job and of course, you need a good foundation. I really dont think that this person is a good fit for me. In fact, i find interactions with her unpleasant and I'm starting to avoid them. Even though it's early, this really doesnt seem to working out and I'm not sure how to tactfully ask for a new preceptor.
Is this even common? I've never heard of it but I'm worried that this could get worse. I didnt even want to look at her by the end of the shift.
Specializes in Tele, Renal, ICU, CIU, ER, Home Health..
Chloe,
I'm sorry you had such a poor orientation. Slamming new grads on the floor to sink or swim is one of the reasons we have such high turnover of nurses. I am the clinical educator for 4 very busy Med-Surg units (@ 200 nurses). We have completely over-hauled our orientation process with great results. One week of hospital wide/classroom education. then one week of shadowing a preceptor. After that the orientee starts with one patient, adding a patient each week or when ready. Usually time management is a problem going from 3 patients to 4, so they can have a few weeks with 4 patients to get comfortable. Once the orientee is independent with 5 patients, we give them a couple of weeks for team-leading experience. Finally we have the orientee "float" to the other Med-Surg units for a few shifts for orientation. The Supervisors and I meet regularly with the preceptor and the orientee to see how things are going, if goals are being met, Any problems needing addressed. In the two years that I've been in this position, we've only had one orientee not make it and that was a language barrier issue. We offered to send and pay for english classes, but the orientee refused. Every single orientee is still working with our hospital system, most in the same unit.
I know our system is probably unique, but I think the investment is really worth it. My goal is to make every orientee successful.
OK, It sounds like this whole thing is turning into a nightmare. How many patients are you taking? If it's your third week on the floor you should be taking no more than 2 patients with strong preceptor support. At this point, I think you are so overwelmed, that you are barely functioning. Are you using any kind of "brain" or worksheet to organize your day? If not, I suggest you get one ASAP. I don't have to tell you that forgetting to give AM meds is not something you forget. Organize your day with check-offs for things in the order that you do them. Assessment/charting, fingerstick/coverage, Labs checked/treated, Meds (times due), AM care, etc. Start educating yourself on your specific patient population. Make list of all lines, and how to maintain them. Is there an IV therapist that could help you with that? Start a collection of note cards on common Medications for your area. Do you have time in the day to look up diagnosis, disease processes, policies, etc? These are things the preceptor should be quizzing you on during the day. I'm afraid that without stepping back and getting things under control, you will not be successful. Things will continue to spiral out of control with her making you nervous, you messing up, and her losing respect for you. Please approach your supervisor to review your progress and needs. I gaurantee the preceptor is talking to the supervisor. If you want to succeed, you've got to do something. and now!
Hi and thank you for your valuable advice. I really appreciate your support. I called our nursing educator and informed him of my concerns. He said he'll be looking into it for me and was very supportive.
I also took your advice and used this day to review some material ive forgotten. I have a PDA so i dont need flash cards but that was a great suggestion for remembering the medications. I also went and reviewed heart meds and insulin. THese are the meds most used so far.
Youre right about my risking not being successful and I am trying to address this. I cant let myself get too uptight about this because that'd be counterproductive i think. Im just going to study this weekend and try to more familiar with things.
Again, I cant thank you enough for your sugggestions. I will keep in touch and let you know how things go.
I'm sorry that you're predicting the future that approaching her isn't going to help and that quitting is the only solution.
I personally believe you should confront her with your issues, talk about them, perhaps with a mediator like an educator or the manager/charge nurse. You might be enlightened in how they are preceiving you. This precpetors approach may have worked in the past, but perhaps she'll be enlightened as well that it doesn't work for everyone.
Sounds like you both have some issues. You have some areas you need to grow and learn in, and she needs to give you understanding that you're only 3 weeks in.
If you quit, guaranteed you're going to run into problems somewhere else. But sometimes that is what we have to do to find something that fits, so I'm not ruling that out.
(Also note that disguised profanity isn't allowed. See the Terms of Service, and I edited a post above. I understand your frustration, but check the TOS. Thanks)
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
Hello forum,
I was wondering if I could get some help with something. I started a nursing job, my first out of college, 2 1/2 weeks ago. I've been assigned a preceptor that is very good, very smart, and has a great deal of experience. However, she really seems to like getting on me. . .I really dont think that this person is a good fit for me. In fact, i find interactions with her unpleasant and I'm starting to avoid them. . .I'm not sure how to tactfully ask for a new preceptor. Any thoughts?
Go to your manager and say, "I'd like to be assigned to a different preceptor." The manager will ask you why. Then, you will explain it to her. I would recommend that you make a list that you have in front of you so you have your facts straight and so you don't forget anything. Make sure you tell her that you are being talked down to and that it is upsetting you. Calling off of work is not the right thing to do.
Go to your manager and say, "I'd like to be assigned to a different preceptor." The manager will ask you why. Then, you will explain it to her. I would recommend that you make a list that you have in front of you so you have your facts straight and so you don't forget anything. Make sure you tell her that you are being talked down to and that it is upsetting you. Calling off of work is not the right thing to do.
i know its stupid to call out but i felt i had to break this prceptors momentum. things were heating up and she seemed like she was enjoying giving me a hard time. i couldnt take it another day. i made a phone call to the nursing educator and hopefully she can help or else im out of a job because im not putting up with this nonsense so early in my career.
Just click on my previous posts to find out all the troubles I've had, everything from a preceptor who I couldn't please, to a preceptor who cried 3 times in a week for various reasons.
Nursing is cliquey for sure, and nurses aren't necessarily cut out to teach. Eating the young, well in my opinion that is just a fact of life. Some people make themselves feel better about their own sorry existance by how they treat others, and it really isn't a reflection on the person they do it to. Just remember, it's their issue.
Sounds to me like the preceptor you have would just like you to do her workload for her, which is negligent on her part, since she is still ultimately responsible for what you do. Also, doesn't do you any favors, as you are basically flying by the seat of your pants and on your own.
Ask for a new preceptor, this happens all the time and a good advisor/educator knows it and what to do about it.
Preceptor's can make your life Horrible! I stuck with my first one in Med-Surge, but I feel just as bad about the one I have in ICU as you do about yours. Mine won't tell ME what she thinks I am doing wrong--she will go to tell our clinical manager. Then the clinical manager will do her best to make me feel STUPID! Being a brand new grad can be so hard, just hang in there.
Ask for a new preceptor and be ready to explain why. But don't quit. If you quit, you may find you have a difficult time getting the next job, depending on the job situation where you live. At any rate, you would be placed in a position of having to explain what went wrong, and a new employer might not find you to be a desirable candidate. So hang in there. Hopefully you can get a new preceptor that is better at working with you and helping you to be successful. If you have to stay with this person, just push forward, using some of the suggestions given. Get through the ten weeks. Then you will be able to breathe again. Hope you don't have to work directly with this person after your orientation is complete. Kind of sounds like she might have taken a dislike for you and is letting it show. Anyway, don't let her push you out of your job. There is no guarantee that the next place will be better, and there are people like her on most units everywhere. Good luck.
Preceptor's can make your life Horrible! I stuck with my first one in Med-Surge, but I feel just as bad about the one I have in ICU as you do about yours. Mine won't tell ME what she thinks I am doing wrong--she will go to tell our clinical manager. Then the clinical manager will do her best to make me feel STUPID! Being a brand new grad can be so hard, just hang in there.
sorry 'bout that. wish you well. i got a new preceptor and am trying to start from the beginning. good luck to you!
Specializes in anything that I had my clinicals in.
I don't know if this is too late if you got a new preceptor or not but I had the exact same thing happen to me. She treated me the same way as you explained. Our personalities just clashed that's all. I need someone to be patient and show me, not tell me what to do and expect it to be done right. three weeks into my 1st job she told me that i should be up to four people and i couldn't even do 3 comfortable (because she threw too much at me and expected me to know where everything was and how to do everything). So I got a new preceptor. He is amazing and my confidence is back up. you have to get with someone who fits you! hope you are doing okay now! :)
I know exactly what you are going through. The same stuff has happened to me, with preceptors who focus on all the negative. People need to give constructive criticism and allow others to make mistakes. My advice would be to just stay professional and focus on her corrections that pertain to patient safety. You will have to read in between the lines of what she is saying and ask yourself, does this make sense, is it valid? Or is she just getting on you. Hopefully it will work out.
nservice
119 Posts
Chloe,
I'm sorry you had such a poor orientation. Slamming new grads on the floor to sink or swim is one of the reasons we have such high turnover of nurses. I am the clinical educator for 4 very busy Med-Surg units (@ 200 nurses). We have completely over-hauled our orientation process with great results. One week of hospital wide/classroom education. then one week of shadowing a preceptor. After that the orientee starts with one patient, adding a patient each week or when ready. Usually time management is a problem going from 3 patients to 4, so they can have a few weeks with 4 patients to get comfortable. Once the orientee is independent with 5 patients, we give them a couple of weeks for team-leading experience. Finally we have the orientee "float" to the other Med-Surg units for a few shifts for orientation. The Supervisors and I meet regularly with the preceptor and the orientee to see how things are going, if goals are being met, Any problems needing addressed. In the two years that I've been in this position, we've only had one orientee not make it and that was a language barrier issue. We offered to send and pay for english classes, but the orientee refused. Every single orientee is still working with our hospital system, most in the same unit.
I know our system is probably unique, but I think the investment is really worth it. My goal is to make every orientee successful.