Should I be a preceptor on a toxic unit?

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Hi all, Needing a little advice, hopefully this is aloud to post For background, I have been a RN 4 years with my main background of medical surgical nursing for 3 years and at my current position of a cardiac step-down with medical overflow 1 year. The step down unit I am currently on is 50 beds and I have found the nursing culture to be quite toxic at times. I also try to stick to myself and do my job as I love being with patients. My goal as a nurse has always been to eventually go to the ICU and I was looking to transfer this coming month. Most recently I was asked to precept new employee's on my current unit. Precepting has also always been one of goals as a nurse as I love teaching people and the patients that I get to take care of. However, with the toxic culture on my unit I am very worried that I will have my clinical decisions undermined/redirected. I see that I am already precepting within the coming month. Can you give me all the precepting tips/tricks? I took the online class my hospital has provied me and did not find it all that helpful. Also, should I just apply to the ICU and forget precepting all together?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

It's great that you're considering precepting, as it can be a gratifying experience for you and the nurses you'll be working with.

Here's a couple of tips. Build a positive relationship. In many ways, learning is relational. Establish a positive and supportive relationship with the new nurse.

Encourage open communication and make them feel comfortable asking questions.

Allow them to ask the same question more than once. They are overwhelmed and not processing at 100%. New grads especially need their preceptors to be patient.

Here are 10 Preceptor Tips that will help you ? a great deal.

Regarding your concerns about the toxic culture in your unit, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of precepting in that environment.

If you feel the culture may negatively impact your ability to provide a positive learning experience, it's worth considering whether it's the right time for you to take on a preceptor role.

As for applying to the ICU, that decision depends on your career goals and priorities. If your primary goal is to transition to the ICU, it makes sense to focus on that move and not get detoured by precepting right now. There will be ample opportunities to precept in the future.

 However, if precepting aligns with your long-term goals and you're excited about the opportunity to teach, you could explore precepting while keeping an eye on ICU opportunities for the future.

Ultimately, the decision depends on what is suitable for you in your career.

Best wishes in your decision,

Nurse Beth

 

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