thank you for preceptor

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I am finishing up a semester with a preceptor who has been great. She has taught me a lot, advocated for me to have opportunities to shadow other physicians in the practice, and ended up precepting me for many more hours than she had originally planned.

I want to do something to thank her. I am planning to write out a card of course, but am wondering from those who have precepted... what are your thoughts on gifts from students? What types of things did you appreciate getting, and what would you rather do without? (I am just thinking a small token of appreciation, nothing crazy... I am a poor student after all!)

I bought breakfast for the office, bought sit down lunch for my other preceptor. And a fruit tray for another and of course a card. I feel like you can never go wrong with treats.

Specializes in FNP.

I bought tea for one (and a cup) and coffee for another (and a cup) as they both tended to drink quite a bit of it

Fancy coffee seems to be well appreciated. That's what I intend to get my current preceptor. I usually get a pretzel tray or something like that for the support staff and a little something with a card for my preceptor. I plan to precept when I get out in the world and I think that would be a nice gesture.

While coffee and cookies are always very nice, I would appreciate a lovely well-worded letter that could be put in my professional portfolio. Just mention what you have put here - excellent knowledge, afforded chances for further learning with other professionals / multidisciplinary team and generally went above and beyond expectations. For him/her, should a job or promotion opportunity become available, this is providing evidence they have this skill first hand. I have only ever recieved one similar which always makes an appearance in my portfolio. I have cards in there also, but a letter from one professional to another is much better!

I completely agree. Cookies are gone in an instant but a sincere thank you in writing lasts forever!

Specializes in Labor & Delivery, Med-surg.

I have treasured every thank you letter I have ever received!!

I once got a pretty monogrammed name badge holder embroidered with my first initial (along with a very sweet note) that was a great nursing gift. There are a lot of things like this on Etsy for $6-10, though I'm sure you can find them elsewhere as well. I like it because it is something that I used every day in the hospital. Many hospitals have Starbucks in the lobby, so a Starbucks gift card or reusable Starbucks cup or mug is always nice. A pretty reusable water cup or water bottle is nice too since many nurses aren't too great at staying hydrated. Vera Bradley has some cute ones- both on sale and at normal price here: Tumbler | Vera Bradley, and Camelback water bottles (available at Target) are great too. I hope this helps!

I wrote my preceptor a heartfelt thank you and got her a book I thought she would like. (It was something she had already expressed interest in.)

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