Preceptorship

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2012

We just found out last night that our preceptorship is basically going to be another med/surg clinical. We are going to be in groups of 6 with one instructor on a med/surg floor. This means we will not get one-on-one time with a nurse or much experience, since this hospital does not let us do anything with blood.

"Do anything with blood"? You mean, like hang it, draw it, clean it up? I mean this in all charity: Do not focus so much on the tasks they "do not let (you) do." Trust me on this one- a year after you start work you will have completely forgotten how po'd you were at not being able to spike a blood bag as a student. If there is blood to be given, go with the nurse and the other nurse who joins him/her for the double checks, and observe exactly what they are doing-- not just stand on the other side of the bed-- really look at what they are looking at and what they are attesting to when they sign. You'll learn the important parts right there.

Same with sticking needles into people's blood vessels. Really. They teach unlicensed people how to do it-- how big a deal can it be? Heck, junkies learn on the job, as it were. And those veins are in worse shape. :)

Also, we will not be able to explore the different fields that interests us individually.

How do you know that? If the floor has a specialty, you might get hooked on it. if it's a general floor, maybe you can focus on just one kind of patient. Or...maybe you'll decide to be open to learning assessment skills for a wide variety of conditions, hey? Because no matter where you end up working, you will be caring for people with MORE THAN ONE THING WRONG WITH THEM, and you will have a chance to apply it all, sooner or later. You'll actually be better off than someone who limits an optional rotation to one small sliver of care. Your choice as to how you look at it. Me, I'd recommend you take the wider, more mature view.

Do you think this will hinder us when it is time for us to look for jobs?

No. Again, though, it may depend on your attitude. Did you use this broad exposure to many skills to go with a variety of patients to a variety of diagnostic tests, like MRI, cardiac cath lab, MUGA, rehab, GI lab...? did you exhibit curiosity and interest in whatever came your way? That will show through the usual bee-yes when you interview.

We have heard that most people get their positions through their preceptorships.

"Most people" is a lot of people. :laugh: Not necessarily true at all. Did your grandmother ever tell you, "Dont borrow trouble"? it means, "Don't go assuming the worst will happen before you know anything."

Also, are we going to miss out on experience, or is the preceptorship not as big of a deal as we have been lead to believe?

Like most experiences in life, it will be exactly what you make of it. Decide to be an active learner-- ask for assignments with goals in mind and read up on stuff before you ask. "I'd like to see how the cardiac cath lab works; can I please be assigned to a patient who's here for a cath?" "I have never seen an endoscopy and conscious sedation. Is anyone going to have that this week? Can I do the pre-procedure care, go with him, and follow him afterwards?" "Can I go to the preop area and follow a patient who will be admitted here after her surgery?"

I would just like to hear some perspective on this from nurses out there.

Ask and ye shall receive. I don't mean this in the religious sense.

Thank you!

KatePasa · Sep 16, 2012

I love you, Grn Tea! This is more or less what I tell all of my classmates when they complain that they about don't get to do or being sent to clinical sites where they just end up watching the nurse. Nursing school is so much more than poking, prodding, and procedure. We have to be alert for the learning opportunities, vastly abundant, that put our brains to work or challenge our hearts rather than busy our hands.

After all and as you say, we will have plenty of time to poke, prode, and for procedures once were become nurses.

rhellner57 · Sep 16, 2012

I would say that you make the preceptorship experience what you want from it. I have, in the past, been a preceptor for several younger nurses in Labor and Delivery and feel there are some who will make the program and others I just pray for. I tend to agree with the comment above, You need to make it what You want it to be. I have worked with some people that would rather sit around and only go to the bedside if directed, no questions asked and little hands on. These nurses, in my opinion, have a lot to learn. I love to show the new nurses what it is I love about what I do and if they are interested they will, in the long run, be ahead. I find that with nursing these days, You have to stay on top of the game plan or sink. Some learning experiences may come around infrequently, so dive in an d make it what You can.

ccjjlang0622 · Sep 16, 2012

It is one thing to work in a group with your teacher and a completely different thing to work one on one with a nurse. When we did clinicals I felt basically like a glorified CNA. Always had to find my teachers before really doing anything, only a couple students would pass meds, etc, etc. When I precepted everything made sense. I really felt like a nurse. We couldn't hang blood or blood products either and we couldn't do IV push but I really felt like I was on my own with someone at my side to make sure I did things right and to answer questions. I am so sorry that you won't be doing actual precepting as I felt it was a wonderful learning tool and made it all feel real.

CrazierThanYou · Sep 16, 2012

We didn't get a preceptorship either, and while I feel like we were ripped off, I don't think it matters much.

When I was doing interviews for positions, no one ever, not one single time, asked me about a preceptorship or anything else. I don't think your clinical experience counts for squat when it comes to experience.

This week I will have my first day on the floor and I'll have a preceptor. I think that is the preceptorship that is going to count.

brewski09 · Sep 16, 2012

We just found out last night that our preceptorship is basically going to be another med/surg clinical. We are going to be in groups of 6 with one instructor on a med/surg floor. This means we will not get one-on-one time with a nurse or much experience, since this hospital does not let us do anything with blood. Also, we will not be able to explore the different fields that interests us individually. Do you think this will hinder us when it is time for us to look for jobs? We have heard that most people get their positions through their preceptorships. Also, are we going to miss out on experience, or is the preceptorship not as big of a deal as we have been lead to believe? I would just like to hear some perspective on this from nurses out there.
Thank you!

Our program only gives preceptorships to 10% of the students. the others are in 8:1 clinical groups. However, they had 2 patients each on the first day. they are also shadowing the charge RN and special teams like the IV team and pick line team. requesting higher acuity or specialized patients is a good idea. as far as jobs go, it depends on the market. in many areas, you won't have troubles finding a job. in my area, it is difficult without a BSN to get a good job (in an ADN program) and they won't take new nurses into the critical care internships without 120 hours of precepted clinical or previous experience in critical care as a PCA. start looking at jobs now and talk up your experience like everyone else does. enjoy your clinical.

Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2012

That is really a bummer. I don't know that MOST people get jobs from their preceptorship, but I do know a FEW that did. The most valuable thing I gained from my preceptorship was an awesome mentor. I do feel that she has helped me get interviews and jobs through her very strong letter of recommendation. I did end up getting an interview on the unit I precepted on a few months after my internship. I politely declined as I had just accepted a position that was more desirable to me on a PCU. There are probably some negative and positives to having an instructor on site. We had immensely more paperwork for our preceptorship, since the instructor was not there to observe. This consisted of a 10+ page journal for each shift asking very specific and redundant questions about our learning. This was due no later than 24 hours post shift and at least 4 hours prior to your next shift. Those journals really made the preceptorship very draining. I agree with all that the other posters have said about seeking out learning experiences. I know the senior clinical students at my hospital are all over the place doing a days in oncology, CCU, short stay, cath lab, surgery etc. Try to be verbal about the educational opportunities you are seeking. Good Luck to you!