Question for a nurse

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Question 1:

Hello, I am starting my final semester of my ADN program. During my first rotation (5 weeks) I will be precepting. As an assignment we were asked to join a nursing network site and ask two questions. I have decided to ask two that I really want to know to help me improve and motivate me as a nursing student and hopefully transition into the role of a professional nurse. Our teacher has suggested we go to our preceptor with goals for the day. I know I will have goals such as time management, prioritization, working on skills, etc. I am looking for other ideas of goals that will help me show my preceptor that I am motivated and that nursing is something I am compassionate about. I want to keep good communication and professional relationship with my preceptor. I will be precepting at a hospital I am hoping to be hired at following the completion of my NCLEX exam.

In short my question is...

What type of goals can I set for myself so that I will be able to have an optimal learning experience during my preceptorship (working one-on-one with a nurse) of 108 hours?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!

Question 2:

I am very involved in my student nurses association. I have been a class rep for 3 of my four semesters. I am also the the state chair for breakthrough to nursing. I focus first on my school work, but if I am not doing that, I am putting hours in planning, organizing, fundraising and volunteering at events. Myself and 3 others were co-authors of a resolution passed at the NSNA convention. Our instructors have started putting a weight on our involvement outside the classroom. In my first semester it was required to do at least one volunteer activity and attend one meeting. They dropped those requirements because they had heard employers were looking for what students did outside of their regular program requirements. I have gone beyond my school organization and am now working on becoming a member of the Red Cross DAT team. Over the summer I attended an ethics training and suicide preventions course where I recieved 6 CEU's and a certificate. Nursing is my passion and I enjoy all the activities I have been involved in. Our program has put a hype on what we do outside the classroom. Will volunteering my time and being involved with the community help to stand out to future employers? Are employers looking for people that will represent their hospital (or other agency) for professional organizations? Are there other organizations we can become a part of as students to help us stand out to future employers now that they are looking more toward BSN degrees and also hiring less often?

In general...

Are employers taking interest in the organizations nursing students are involved in when considering hiring new graduates?

Thank you for your response!

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Specializes in LTC.

:sofahider

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Oh, dear Lord

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I'm confused about the precepting role. How do you do this as a student when you aren't employed by the facility? No flames, please--I'm honestly bamboozled....

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

My guess is that she will be precepted by a nurse from the facility. We have this in the ICU that I work in. The student works with one nurse and follows the nurses schedule. Very little contact with instructor during this time.

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Hi preceptsky,

First of all, congratulations!! ...you're almost to the "finish line"! :)

You sound very motivated, eager to learn, ambitious, and genuinely caring. That's fantastic!! Keep it up!

#1

- It's hard to comment on this because I haven't "seen you in action". I would keep open lines of communication with your preceptor and be open to feedback. Some preceptors are shy about giving constructive feedback, so try asking him/her how you're doing and what recommendations they have for you to start the discussion - this lets them know you truly want to know and improve.

- You may not have to wait until after passing your NCLEX to get a job. Many places hire GN's (graduate nurses) that have successfully completed an RN program but haven't yet taken the NCLEX. I was offered a GN position at the hospital I did my preceptorship at (I didn't even have to apply - the manager approached me first! :) ). Prove yourself and you might be approached with a job offer too.

#2

- I think that extracurricular activities and association memberships are a great asset for resumes. Keep up the great work! In addition to looking great on a resume, it's helping you give back to the community.

I hope this information was helpful.

[i'm not sure what's up with the first 2 posts you got (???)...]

Good luck to you! :)

Amanda

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@ Colleen - Laurie is right. Preceptsky meant that she's working with a preceptor (she's not the one precepting...the RN she will work with is).

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
@ Colleen - Laurie is right. Preceptsky meant that she's working with a preceptor (she's not the one precepting...the RN she will work with is).

OK, I clearly read that wrong, LOL!! Thanks for clarifying!!

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Thank you for your response AmandaRN.

To clarify for others: I do not think all programs call this part of the program precepting. I will be precepting with a preceptor. For our state, the preceptor must be a licensed RN for 18 months and have undergone a preceptor training course. Laurie52 and Amanda.RN are correct. There is little contact with our instructor. She may or may not drop in during the time we are there. I will be out of state but my instructor may still travel to the facility I will be at. I will work 12 or 8 hour shifts depending on what my preceptor works, she will be the main person evaluating me during this time. I can work a maximum of three 12 hour shifts or four 8 hour shifts per week.

I have goals set for myself, but our instructor suggests setting goals each day that we go so that our preceptor has an idea of what we would like to focus in on and to keep the line of communication open.

I really enjoy the clinical aspect of school and have not had any problems thus far. I set goals for myself on a regular clinical basis. This part of my program is focusing on the transition into the professional role of a nurse so I am looking for goals that professional nurses go to work with each day.

I do enjoy giving back to my community and being a part of it. I would continue doing so whether or not it is extremely important to employers. I am wondering if they take it as serious as the instructors of our program portray it to be with the competition of getting a nursing job after graduation.

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I do not think all programs call this part of the program precepting. I will be precepting with a preceptor.

To clear up any confusion, when you are being mentored by someone with more experience, you are not precepting. You are being precepted. The other nurse is precepting. This is an important distinction.

You can say that you are working with a preceptor or working under a preceptor. That is okay. But this is not the same as saying you are doing the precepting.

I hope that clarifies the terminology.

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"4th Semester students,

I have posted the updated preceptor list, and updated the clinical rotations. Included on the preceptor list are the new phone numbers for St. Lukes for each unit . The new main number for the hospital is---------.

At all agencies, there are limits on the number of students precepting on day shift. This is a first come, first served basis so please check the clinical rotation list for updates on which preceptors and which shifts have already been selected. For those precepting with the local agencies, please check with me about preceptor availability first before having agreements signed.

Questions? Please email me."

This is a quote from my instructor. Throughout fifty states, all nursing programs are different and call parts of their programs different things. I went with the terminology our program uses. Sorry is there is any confusion.

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So, you're precepting a preceptor who is also precepting the preceptor. Why not just be a preceptor so you can do the precepting?

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