Preceptors/how to pick a good one

[river1951]

Hi- Am having a dilemma- we have a nurse who does a great job precepting. We are getting a clear message from her she doesn't want to do this anymore. Our other nurses are too new or have traits I'm not anxious to pass on to new staff. In the past by using another couple of great nurses who are per diem, we have gotten around this, but it's not a good permanent solution. I want to send a nurse to preceptor class, who to select? My first inclination is to pick a nurse who has an acceptable attitude, but her charting skills are not what I would like emulated. Thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I just left a position as an ER staff RN where I had been for 10 years. The last two years, I was almost continuously a preceptor. It is very stressful to stay on top of all the new information, be friendly, polite and welcoming and also get all the work done that needs to be done.

I'm wondering if this nurse who is a wonderful preceptor feels appreciated or might just be burnt out on the constant precepting. May I ask what kind of unit this is? That might determine what type of nurses you want precepting.

I will say though that if you settle for second best, you will get a second best orientation.

If you work in a hospital with a staff developement or education dept, you might see if they have a preceptor training course. Then send your top five performers. Then you can develop a pool of appropriate nurses.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm a rookie here, but I'm just wondering about the nurse with the acceptable attitude and poor charting. Is this something that has remained poor despite a little coaching? I know she probably won't go from poor charter to primo preceptor material in a day, but long term is it something that could be fixed?

[nurselearner]

As someone who did a lot of preceptor work in my prior job, I would recommend that you have several nurses and rotate them. It is stressful - especially if you are still expected to do your own work. Or have several preceptors but with different responsibilities. One for charting, One for field work, one for bereavement work.....etc. Unless it is a fulltime paid position that is just preceptorship - it is a lot to ask to expect someone to constantly teach new employees and get their own work done.

[river1951]

Yes, all very good pints to ponder and I have talked with both the great preceptor about work load, and the poor charter about how to improve. Our hospice used to not decrease the workload of the preceptor, but that is a thing of the past. We only have 14 nurses both per diem and CM, so our pool is NOT large anyway. Thanks all who responded :-)