student nurse needs advice about preceptors

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Hello to all-

I have been looking all over for the right group to seek advice. I am a nurse student and am transferring to an online school in order to finish up earlier. I am responsible to find possible clinical sites and preceptors and the colleges clincial liasion helps to make the final arrangements. Anyway, I already work as an aide at a small 136 bed hospital and thought that it would be a great start for a couple of my clinicals. My manager is making sure that it is acceptable. I was speaking to some of the nurses I work with about doing clinicals there and they were very rude and discouraging. One of them told me good luck finding any nurse here willing to precept you. No one will put their licensure up and be responsible for any student. The nurses also can not believe that precepting me does not involve extra compensation by the college.(precepting would be during reg shift). The also said I should look to do something else besides nursing. I said that I can't, I do not feel passionate about anything else like I do with nursing. They said well look forward to a bad back, no pension or health insurance when you retire. If anyone could please give me some adivice? thank you

Thank you to all who have replied and for your honest opinions. I do appreciate it. I now can say that I honestly feel lost, and discouraged. I can understand about the fears of licensure risks. But why did My state BON say it was ok as long as preceptor has at least a bsn? I don't understand if I am covered under the college's liability policy, how could the nurse's license be at risk? I can't help but feel the irony of desperately wanting to be guided and trained to be in a profession that helps people and and I can not find nobody willing to help me.

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You are always covered under the nursing license of your instructor when you are on the floor. It has to be under a nursing license, not a liability umbrella. The school is not legally a nurse.

You honestly would be doing yourself a dis-service if you do not get the appropriate training that you need...........with an approved clinical program, and approved clinical preceptors. Otherwis, you are spending money but will not get what you should out of the program.

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I don't understand if I am covered under the college's liability policy, how could the nurse's license be at risk?

It's not about insurance, it's about licensure. As a nursing student, you would be performing acts (on real, live patients) that require a state license to practice as a registered nurse. Since you, as a student, do not have a license, the only way, legally, for you to perform those acts is under the supervision/responsibility of someone who is licensed by the state to perform those acts -- someone with a license has to be willing to take legal responsbility for your acts (i.e., that person's license would be in jeopardy if something went seriously wrong).

Unless the school you're talking to is assuring you that they have someone there (wherever "there" is) who is licensed to practice as an RN in your state and that nurse will be taking legal responsibility for your actions in the the clinical setting (and I would be v. surprised if that were the case), then that burden of statutory/legal responsibility would fall on the nurse precepting you in the hospital. Someone has to take that responsibility in order for you to do your clinical experiences.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
It's not about insurance, it's about licensure. As a nursing student, you would be performing acts (on real, live patients) that require a state license to practice as a registered nurse. Since you, as a student, do not have a license, the only way, legally, for you to perform those acts is under the supervision/responsibility of someone who is licensed by the state to perform those acts -- someone with a license has to be willing to take legal responsbility for your acts (i.e., that person's license would be in jeopardy if something went seriously wrong).

Unless the school you're talking to is assuring you that they have someone there (wherever "there" is) who is licensed to practice as an RN in your state and that nurse will be taking legal responsibility for your actions in the the clinical setting (and I would be v. surprised if that were the case), then that burden of statutory/legal responsibility would fall on the nurse precepting you in the hospital. Someone has to take that responsibility in order for you to do your clinical experiences.

Excellent!!! :balloons:

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Good for you and more power to you. Opprotunities are where you make them. We need nurses and anything to help a NEWBIE. I am a preceptor and know that it takes commitment from the staff to preceptor a student of any kind. What to look for #1 preceptors must be confident with themselves. #2 they must have excellent time management skills. #3 must be able and willing to teach. YOUR job find someone that fits your learning style and be prepared. I was told I could not do my job when I started but I showed them. Listen to your heart and know that it will be hard but GO FOR IT. :smiley_aa

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Thank you so much for your encouragment, I really means alot. Do you live in Michigan? I could only hope!! :wink2:

Good for you and more power to you. Opprotunities are where you make them. We need nurses and anything to help a NEWBIE. I am a preceptor and know that it takes commitment from the staff to preceptor a student of any kind. What to look for #1 preceptors must be confident with themselves. #2 they must have excellent time management skills. #3 must be able and willing to teach. YOUR job find someone that fits your learning style and be prepared. I was told I could not do my job when I started but I showed them. Listen to your heart and know that it will be hard but GO FOR IT. :smiley_aa
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Specializes in Operating Room.

I'm not even sure I'd want them to precept me with that attitude.

Actually, I'm not even sure I'd want to work there.

That's a shame.

Good luck.

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