preceptor problems (long sorry)

Hello, my heart goes out to you because I too had a similar situation. I feel that you as the new nurse need to discuss you concern with you preceptor and go mfrom there. If she recieves you well she will back off if not then you go to your unit manager/educator and discuss the situation futher. This is your time and you need to be getting everything you can out of it because once your on your own thats it.....Good luck Alison......peace.

Like the two of you, I have had problems, too. What I did is I asked my manager for a different preceptor. It helped! Preceptors should not be doing everything for you. They should stimulate your critical thinking ability by asking you questions rather than taking the attitude of, "here, I'll do it for you." Ask you manager if any preceptors on your floor do this. Explain you want to use your knowledge and skills from nursing school, but you want the critical thinking challenge that an experienced nurse/preceptor could offer. I wish I would have asked my manager earlier for this. Instead, I went through 5 different preceptors before I finally asked for one that I could be with for the remainder of my orientation that would challenge me. Don't wait like I did. If you feel like this preceptor is not right for you, then you could be missing some excellent opportunities from one who would meet your needs. Don't hesitate to discuss this with your manager.

Perhaps before next report, you could to say, "I really have learned so much from the way you give report. I'd like to start giving my own report, so I can continue to build my confidence for when I'm on my own." This doesn't sound rude, plus it adds a bit of gratitute towards her without bowing down...

I'm with Kellyo... you'll still be working with this nurse later, as well, you don't want the other staff to think that you run to the boss with everything.Try to work it out yourself first, shows maturity and responsibility. The last person she/he oriented may have been a completely, unsafe dolt!

Try what Kellyo said and do similiar statements re: other care...." I think I've got a good grip on that now, thanks, how about I continue with my pts and we meet up late morning? That way I'll be on my own but still know I can call on you if I have anything I'm not sure of".

If you have to change perceptors, let her/him know that you've learned from them, however, your style may be more suited to someone else. Good luck.

Perhaps before next report, you could to say, "I really have learned so much from the way you give report. I'd like to start giving my own report, so I can continue to build my confidence for when I'm on my own." This doesn't sound rude, plus it adds a bit of gratitute towards her without bowing down...

I think this is the best approach. The preceptor probably doesn't even know that you are having problems with her. Put yourself in her shoes for a second. It's a tough balance precepting someone. If you don't remind them of little things or help out by giving meds for them here or there, they can feel they are being thrown to the wolves alone. If you do help, you are being overbearing. This is a good practice for being a real nurse, you should learn to ask for what you need.

This is ridiculous because a)you are NOT a student anymore and b)you have your own damn license and not just anyone can acheive that.

When this happened to me, I talked to my preceptor. We tried it again but she finally understood that it was her not me, and we requested a different preceptor through the nurse educator. My new preceptor totally understood the concept of letting a new grad actually BE the nurse. She was an inspiration to me and the kind of preceptor that I want to be. She was in my corner from day one and I can't tell you what a relief that was.

It is difficult but try to hang. These are what will make you a good nurse and eventually a good preceptor. :balloons:

I think these problems are just common among preceptors. Most of my preceptors have been micro-managers, also reminding me of stuff that I am very aware I have to do (or I have already done). The really good ones stay out of my face, and seem to know when to pitch in and when to let me figure it out. These tend to be the older nurses, for the most part. The younger nurses don't seem (on my unit, anyway) to know when to butt out.

I have heard some horror stories from other classmates of mine from nursing school. The common remark from preceptors seems to be, "What on earth do they teach you in nursing school?"

Oh, well. Hang in there.

Oldiebutgoodie

Wow, this totally reminded me of the preceptor I had today! I am at the very end of my 12 weeks of orientation on my med/surg unit (tomorrow is my last day!!!) & the preceptor I was with today (I've had several of them now) was helpful but she was annoying me because she would point out obvious things to me at times such as "You may want to call the doc on that" (I already did) or "As an RN you'll have to give report to the CNA" (I know that! How obvious! I've given report only about 50 gazillion times to them!) But I think she was saying every little thing to me today cuz I've only worked with her a few times, so she probably wasn't sure yet how much I knew. By the end of the night she told me a couple of times how well I was doing & that she thought I was ready to be on my own. So that was nice to hear. But honestly, I'm happy I'm done with orientation tomorrow. I know I will always have other nurses around me to ask questions when I need to, but now I am SO READY to just be on my own!!! :)

-Christine

i think part of the problem may be that your preceptor isn't sure what you did or didn't learn from nursing school and she is just trying to protect her own license in the process. i'm sure your situation is frustrating, but it could be a lot worse (you could have a preceptor that doesn't try to help at all). before discussing things with your nurse manager and/or educator, it is only fair that you go to your preceptor first, talk to her, and try to handle the situation between the two of you before you go to anyone else. if you can't settle things between yourselves, then get your manager and/or educator involved. good luck to ya!!

I would talk to the preceptor first before anyone else. Hmmm as far as how she's orienting you, well that's her style. It is her patients technically. If something happens she will ultimately answer for it. Maybe your preceptor has had orientees before that didn't measure up. If there is a screw up, the one who's ultimately going to get the blame for it is the preceptor. Yes you do have your nursing license, but still. I know she picks on little things but maybe you need to sit down and have a talk one on one and let her know how confident you are. That you're able to give report. When it's time for you to precept a new grad, you will find yourself doing those things. And you'll know it's not out of spite, but because they are your patients. If there is a mistake made it will reflect on you as the preceptor. I'm sure you are quite competent and I'm sure you can take care of the patients very well. She's preparing you to be a good nurse. When orientation is over and that new nurse becomes a staff then makes a mistake, there will always be people who would be saying ''who oriented her again?" Now if you think it's too much then by all means you should be given a choice to have a new preceptor. You need to be comfortable with your preceptor so it would make learning easier. Hang in there though because before you know it you'd be on your own taking care of your own patients, and hopefully you can still go back to her as a resource. I think orienting doesn't end during that time period. Your preceptor should serve as your main resource a whole long while after your orientation is over.:)

This thread was buried 3 years ago. The OP is now a happy travel nurse.