preceptor student

[xxniceswtnursexx]

I am in my last year of nursing school...i am doing my preceptorship right now. It is my third week and i feel like i don't know anything. i mean my preceptor has to prompt me for everyything, and i feel so stupid. i mena i know how to do the skills but it's like when im there i can't do it. How did you guys learn and know so much...i mean when i get assigned patients im like lost on what im supposed ot have planned for them...and when questioned about medication i swear it's like my brain freezes...is this normal???

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

I think you're perfectly normal! Give yourself a big hug, you're near the end, and you'll unfreeze with time and patience. Best!

[doe9181]

I was right there with you before I graduated. My preceptor made me feel like a big idiot and would laugh at me. That really ruined my self esteem when it came to nursing. It made consider other career options such as a pharmaceutical sales rep. I dreaded becoming a nurse. On my last day of that clinical rotation I had ONE patient! I was basically the tech for that patient too. The nurse wouldn't let me do barely anything. I didn't learn anything from that rotation. What a waste of time. I have been a nurse now for a little over a year and I feel totally comfortable. If I ever have any questions I ask. Just remember it's better to ask than be sorry. Hang in there.

[EmmaG, RN]

It may be the preceptor, too. When I started my last assignment, the nurse who was supposed to precept me (we only get one day) was constantly telling me do this, do that, don't forget to ... until I wanted to scream. 99% of the time, I was in the process of doing whatever she was telling me not to forget to do. And when she talked about medications, it wasn't to find out if I knew their dosages, actions, SEs, indications, etc., but instead she'd come out with some obscure comment, expecting me to finish her train of thought. Sorry, I'm not psychic. She would also ask, out of the blue, "what would you do?"

About what????

It was a loooong day...

[Christie RN2006]

Start making lists, plan out your day on paper! I had to do that when I first started or else I would forget things!! For example:

0700 rhythm strip

0800 assessment, meds, turn, suction

0900 blood draw (H&H)

1000 meds, turn, suction

1100 rhythm strip

1200 assessment, blood sugar, meds, turn, suction

I don't have to do that anymore, it is finally engraved into my brain what times things are due. I still write out my meds though... when I'm in the ICU, I write out what med my patient has due and when, when I'm on step-down I just right down what times my patients have meds due. Its just a reminder for me so that I don't have to keep running to the computer every hour to check my med list.