Preceptorship Predicament

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Student.

I'm in my last year of nursing school, and it's time to sign up for preceptorship. I'm torn, and I only have a few weeks to decide. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons, and I'm looking for some guidance.

I live in a small, rural town, and have a 2-hour commute round trip to nursing school. I love the large hospital we do clinicals in. There are seperate units and floors nurses can specialize in. I just did my surgical rotation, and I fell in love with the OR and Short Stay. I love the staff and environment, and the type of nursing care that's given. I also have a close friend that just graduated who works there, and she has nothing but good things to say about her job. So, I feel like I would have support there. I would love to have this as my first choice. The drive is possible for the short-term, but I feel like it would kill me if I had to do it over a career -- figuratively speaking and literally!

On the other hand, since moving is not realistic, most likely, I will apply at the rural hospital in my town. I am worried I won't like it. I haven't had any experience shadowing there. Furthermore, I've heard mixed reviews on working there. Last year's student who did her preceptorship there said it wasn't a good experience and wouldn't recommend it. They limit students on what they can do. But I have also heard it's an excellent experience because you get to bounce around to all the different units.

I'm afraid if I pick my preceptorship at the OR at the big hospital I may not get hired if I apply to my local hospital. I heard from several people they do not hire new nurses who do not do their preceptorships there. Additionally, the openings are slim, and I would need to start paving my way now. But I do love the big hospital in the other town and the vast opportunities for career growth. I would move if it didn't risk my relationship.

What would you choose in this situation? Is it possible to reach out to hospitals to shadow for a day as a nursing student, or is that inappropriate? I'd appreciate any advice.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

If moving is not an option, you may be able to work a Weekends Only position (sometimes know as a Baylor Plan). It is common for those nurses to drive to the hospital Saturday morning, stay the night in a hotel and then drive home after their shift on Sunday.

5 hours ago, RacheleRachelle said:

I would move if it didn't risk my relationship.

That is a totally separate issue, if your partner is not supportive of your path in your career. It is your life and you need to think about this fork in the road. Do you move to the bigger city with more and better career opportunities or stay in the small town with limited opportunities and a hospital that you may not like? You need to have a serious conversation with your partner about "what ifs" in potential nursing job locations. If their answer is not "That sounds like a good opportunity for you. We will do our best to figure out how to make that happen" then you need to question if your relationship is that strong. I had 2 job offers when I graduated, both out of state. The conversation with my girlfriend about my decision of which job to take was which city was the best for US to move to. She did not even consider me giving up my dream job and choose a job in a small hospital that I may not like just to not interrupt her life.

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Aside from the relationship issue: Rural hospitals offer a tremendous opportunity to experience many different areas and become proficient. There is a sense of community- and you often get to care for people you know. 

 

Having done big city (Chicago) and small town (rural Indiana) - I would hands down choose small town. 

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Student.
10 hours ago, NICU Guy said:

If moving is not an option, you may be able to work a Weekends Only position (sometimes know as a Baylor Plan). It is common for those nurses to drive to the hospital Saturday morning, stay the night in a hotel and then drive home after their shift on Sunday.

That is a totally separate issue, if your partner is not supportive of your path in your career. It is your life and you need to think about this fork in the road. Do you move to the bigger city with more and better career opportunities or stay in the small town with limited opportunities and a hospital that you may not like? You need to have a serious conversation with your partner about "what ifs" in potential nursing job locations. If their answer is not "That sounds like a good opportunity for you. We will do our best to figure out how to make that happen" then you need to question if your relationship is that strong. I had 2 job offers when I graduated, both out of state. The conversation with my girlfriend about my decision of which job to take was which city was the best for US to move to. She did not even consider me giving up my dream job and choose a job in a small hospital that I may not like just to not interrupt her life.

Thanks for the advice. I like that Weekends Only plan. Time's running out, and I still don't know which way I should go. Unfortunately, I think you're right about the relationship. It wouldn't be so difficult if I had family in the area, but I moved away (like a 6 hour flight away) to pursue this relationship. He has said he wouldn't do the same for me, and what I'm asking isn't comprable to that sacrifice. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Student.
12 hours ago, meanmaryjean said:

Aside from the relationship issue: Rural hospitals offer a tremendous opportunity to experience many different areas and become proficient. There is a sense of community- and you often get to care for people you know. 

 

Having done big city (Chicago) and small town (rural Indiana) - I would hands down choose small town. 

Thanks for your insight. I think I will give it a chance before I dismiss it as an option.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, critical care.

I would take a job at the larger hospital where you feel you would be a good fit. Getting off on the right foot, for you in surgery-short stay, is important. You also will have ample opportunity to increase your skill set quickly, and evolve into an amazing nurse in a shorter time span. THEN, any rural hospital would be glad to have you. As for the relationship, frankly, he sounds like  he's 'not that in to you.' Take a reality check. I'm old, and walked that journey, and can tell you my relationship subsequently died exactly when my career took off. Lucky for me, I was able to scramble back onto the path of a great experience in nursing that lasted for years, sans 'relationship'. Attitude is everything; starting in the right place will be good for you and bring further blessings, including a relationship where that someone IS that into you. Did he even offer to negotiate living halfway between town A and city B? Do you have one of those 80-20 relationships? Sorry, but I've been there. If you feel the bigger hospital is a good opportunity for you, GRAB it;  great opportunities are relatively rare and make all the difference in life/career satisfaction.

 

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Wiping tears.

1. Pick your career first. 

2. Your relationship is somewhat unhealthy. It's a good time to reevaluate the foundation of your relationships with him. If he decided to kick you in the curb, you'll want to beat yourself up. LOL. There are many good men out there to choose from. Always think of opportunity.

I've been there and done that. I chose my husband twice over my career when he had me pick. I just started picking up myself together. When I needed him during the critical time of my life, he pulled the divorce card. He thinks it was funny to ask for a divorce when I started nursing school.  From August to November, he was menacing me to get the divorce done. I signed the paper to end misery and distraction. Now, he placed his case on hold in case I change my mind. He thinks I'm just being prideful or full of egos. I'm too tired of divorce threats and chasing him or trying to make him happy.  My story is not unique. Men and women are familiar with this destructive behavior. You can love a person, but you can never make him/her happy intrinsically.

One thing I regret, I ignored my gut and the feedback of the wise heads. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
22 hours ago, RacheleRachelle said:

He has said he wouldn't do the same for me, and what I'm asking isn't comprable to that sacrifice.

That says a lot about your relationship. He is not that invested into the relationship to uproot his life for your career. If he was in a unique career that would require him to be in your current city, then that is a matter of whos career matters more.

I also agree with MeanMaryJean that a rural hospital is a good place to start in order to hone your nursing skills. But, if the hospital is poorly run and quality care is not provided, then as a new nurse you may be learning bad habits that may be hard to break when you do decide to move on to a larger hospital system. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Wiping tears.

Is he making a steady and stable income where he lives?  Is he supporting you financially? Someone has to give up something. Think through it. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion