Preceptor problems

gerotina, ASN, RN · May 8, 2010

You should definetly make the unit manager / supervisor aware of the situation. She has no right to speak to you like that or make you feel badly. I am sure that some nurses would say, well at least you are getting an orientation and keep your mouth shut, but I am a firm believer in speaking the truth. I am finding out by reading through different posts on here, just how nasty some nurses can be in the work place and it just keeps going on and on. Please do not let this happen to others. JMHO

Jules A, MSN · May 8, 2010

Personally some of the instructors I hated were the ones I learned the most from even though it was stressful. I'm sorry she isn't humble but if she is as you say a great nurse I would be thankful she is precepting you and not one of the "less than great nurses" and trust me she has made mistakes although I don't think it necessary that she disclose the events to you. Hopefully she is teaching you not to make them and that in itself will be more valuable to your practice than warm fuzzies, jmvho.

LouisVRN, RN · May 8, 2010

Honestly I do a lot of precepting on my unit even though I only have 2 years experience. One of the first things I do is tell them of the mistakes I made and the most common mistakes made on the unit. I am a perfectionist when it comes to nursing, my tubing has to be changed, everything has to be dated/initialed, orders must be entered perfectly, etc. However I know I am probably the ONLY person on my unit like this, I don't expect my preceptees to be clones of me when they get off orientation, if they are able to follow the policies and procedures and keeep the patients safe then thats fine with me. I'm sorry your experience is less than desirable, precepting should be a time for you to build confidence while feeling safe not persecuted. I think first of all you should approach your precepter, surely if you do bring it up to management, which you should, they will ask if you talked to her first, following chain of command is ALWAYS important. Just something casual like, I understand I've made a few mistakes and appreciate you making me aware of them so they become learning experiences, but when you keep telling me about the mistakes I made repeatedly it makes me feel like you don't have confidence in my abilities. I'd be shocked if she didn't change her tune. Sometimes precepting is hard, maybe she doesn't realize how she is coming off, I'd give her the opportunity to learn from her own behavior.

RunnerNurse09, BSN, RN · May 9, 2010

Honestly I do a lot of precepting on my unit even though I only have 2 years experience. One of the first things I do is tell them of the mistakes I made and the most common mistakes made on the unit. I am a perfectionist when it comes to nursing, my tubing has to be changed, everything has to be dated/initialed, orders must be entered perfectly, etc. However I know I am probably the ONLY person on my unit like this, I don't expect my preceptees to be clones of me when they get off orientation, if they are able to follow the policies and procedures and keeep the patients safe then thats fine with me. I'm sorry your experience is less than desirable, precepting should be a time for you to build confidence while feeling safe not persecuted. I think first of all you should approach your precepter, surely if you do bring it up to management, which you should, they will ask if you talked to her first, following chain of command is ALWAYS important. Just something casual like, I understand I've made a few mistakes and appreciate you making me aware of them so they become learning experiences, but when you keep telling me about the mistakes I made repeatedly it makes me feel like you don't have confidence in my abilities. I'd be shocked if she didn't change her tune. Sometimes precepting is hard, maybe she doesn't realize how she is coming off, I'd give her the opportunity to learn from her own behavior.

That is exactly what I am hoping happens - that she steps back, takes a look at how she has been speaking to me, and realizes it. I really cannot be the first person she has made feel this way. I am not overly sensitive. There is a difference between constructive criticism and speaking down to someone. Example: I had oriented with another nurse in her absence when she was away. THAT nurse showed me how to fill out a consent form for surgery. My preceptor , when she got back, told me the way I filled it out(the way the other nuse showed me) was wrong and made me stay late while she stood over my shoulder and made me fill it out again, like punishment, not just saying "Well, I know Nurse so and so showed you that way, but next time do it this way" and let it go. I am a gorwn woman, not a child. My point is that everyone, no matter who you are, deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. I am not. I am thankful to have someone that knows what she is doing, but I dont deserve the attitude that comes with it.

LoveANurse09 · May 9, 2010

Maybe she doesnt realize she is doing this. Next time she says something like this to you, just respond " Thank you for pointing out that mistake, but you dont need to be so rude to me, I am still learning and will be more aware next time" see if that works.

Or maybe after the shift one day pull her aside and mention to her what a great learning experience you are getting, but you notice sometimes whne you make a mistake, she becomes very condesending and cold. Point out to her you are new and still trying to learn and would appreciate a little more patience.