Preceptorship Guidance

[mjs488]

We are starting our 2nd rotation in the 3rd semester of our ADN program and the talk of preceptorship is starting to get hot and heavy. I have a problem making a choice (sort of...I know what I would like to do, I'm just not sure how feasible it is).

I came into nursing school very interested in hospice and palliative care. There is very little to be done about that in terms of preceptorship, however. Furthermore, as I have gone on in school, the other end of the care spectrum, ER and ICU/critical/cardiac care nursing is also really appealing. Psych also has captivated my interest, but it doesn't seem like a great preceptorship choice...I'm afraid my skills will go down the tubes and it will put me at a disadvantage, so I am disinclined to pursue that precept path. I'd love to cross-train ER and psych, that would be interesting, but I don't know that there is a provision for that in my environment.

What is not appealing is 120 hours of med-surg after our 4th sem/rot 1 med-surg. There is more out there and, while I know you can't get enough m-s experience, I really would like to have a different experience, and one that is more aligned with where I would ultimately like to work. Any thoughts out there? Thanks for your help!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

If you are interested in palliative care, you could do an inpatient oncology floor where you would see some of those issues addressed. Also, some areas have inpatient palliative floors, so you could ask your instructor if that is an option.

Don't over think your last semester. It is only 120hrs, so not nearly enough time for you to be competent in an area. Nor is picking an area locking you into that floor after graduation.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

While your interests lie elsewhere.....M/S experience can only enhance your skills.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I'd consider getting into an ICU rather than ER. ICU is similar to med-surg set up as you don't get new patients several times. Plus you will do similar skills plus vent experience. In the ER, most patients are similar.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I'd consider getting into an ICU rather than ER. ICU is similar to med-surg set up as you don't get new patients several times. Plus you will do similar skills plus vent experience. In the ER most patients are similar.[/quote']

As an ER nurse, I disagree with this statement completely. I have psych pts, OB/GYN pts, ICU pts that are unstable, pediatric pts, med-surg pts, and more. There is never a dull moment, and it is certainly never monotonous.

That being said, ER could be a tough place for a new grad to get comfortable, and if the OP has no ER background, 120hrs is barely enough to get your feet wet