Switched preceptors. Did I make a bad decision?

[monkeys_momLDRN]

Hi everyone. :)

I just wanted to see what you guys thought about my decision. I had a preceptor who has a very..."strong" teaching style. She hovers during everything I do (even things as simple as changing chux on a bed) and tends to yell instead of talking/teaching. She also berates/corrects (sp?) me in front of patients to the point where it's obvious the patients are nervous to have me in their rooms. This all lasted every single 12 hour shift and I worked three days in a row with her. I am supposed to come off orientation in 3 weeks and that makes me very nervous. I don't feel ready. I feel like I was repremanded and not taught. She made me nervous and jumpy when I worked around her and I would forget the stupidest things that I normally wouldn't had I been with someone else.

I only had her for two weeks, but I would leave work crying, drive to work crying, and it got so bad that I completely lost my appetite and couldn't wait to leave the hospital so I could just go home.

I asked to switch preceptors and my request was granted so I have two new preceptors, but I was told by my supervisor that my preceptor said that she thought I was ready to come off orientation and that I did a good job. *sigh* So now I feel really badly that maybe I shouldn't have switched preceptors and that now all the nurses on my floor will try to avoid me because of it. I feel awful.

What do you think?

[HappyPediRN]

I think that you need to do what's best for you. Some people have a strong personality and aren't aware how they are being perceived. Others thrive off the hazing of new employees and if you put up with it you "pass." I believe it's very difficult to learn in an environment where you're constantly under a microscope and under scrutiny. Sometimes people lose perspective of what it means to be a preceptor. Yelling and screaming is not and never will be a confidence booster. If you're feeling at peace with these new preceptors then you made the right decision for yourself. It's your license and your learning experience so you need to do whatever it takes to make the most of it. Some people just don't click...it doesn't mean that you're a difficult person to work with or that people will look down on your for wanting to change preceptors. Just look at it as wanting to see the different teaching styles of different nurses. Here's to hoping your next shift will be one you look forward to.

[monkeys_momLDRN]

Thank you so much! :) It's very helpful to hear feedback on situations like this. And your last sentence about it being different teaching styles is exactly right! Thanks again!

[daisydoll]

I think you made the right choice. I had a preceptor who had a different personality/style of nursing and we clashed. I stayed with her but wish I had said something and switched. We had a disagreement after I was off orientation where she didnt speak to me for an entire month. Finally I approached her and asked to talk about the situation. I felt like I was in a hostile work environment and couldnt take it anymore. We were able to talk through it and be civil after that. Fortunately I was able to switch my weekend soon after and barely had to work with her after that. She is a good nurse and I respect her, but we butt heads on certain issues. Some people just cant work together, and Im glad you took the initiative to remedy the situation. If you feel like you need more time, you need to speak to your supervisor and tell her you arent quite ready to come off orientation. You know better than anyone what you need. Keep in mind that it will take some time for you to feel confident in working on your own. We have all been there! Good luck and congratulations on becoming a nurse!

[monkeys_momLDRN]

Thank you so much, daisydoll. :) You have both been very helpful! hope my shift tonight goes smoothly. It'll be the first night where she isn't my preceptor but we'll both be working.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Teaching and learning styles differ. The objective was to make you a functional staff member, so if it takes a multitude of preceptors, so be it. I think you were right to change and believe you ought to evaluate both preceptors and give the evals to the supervisor. Sounds like someone is precepting for extra pay but is not capable of handling the responsibility.

[lpnflorida]

I am glad you made the decision to switch preceptors. Not everyone is a perfect fit for each other. Yes, everyone's teaching style might be different and not any one person's style fits perfectly for everyone else.

Having been in the roll of preceptor many times. I have on two occasions requested that a new preceptor be assigned, not as their was anything the new person had done. I felt I had exhausted all the methods I knew of teaching .I felt strongly someone else at that point could help them better. We remained on good terms each time. I took the responsibility and did not fault the new person.

Good for you and your strength and courage to ask for what you need.