To all you preceptors out there...a question.

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.

My preceptor:

Can't do dosage calculation to save her life.

Is oblivious to physiological differences between beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or ACE inhibitors.

Could care less our software has a link to a tool we can use to check IV compatibilities, "That's what pharmacists are for.."

Still can't add a data row to a flowsheet even after working with software since the day it arrived at the facility.

However...

She knows exactly what AM drugs to hold or give depending on what procedure our patient is going to...same goes when they get back.

Fiercely and proactively advocates for our patients' needs with all the members of the healthcare team. She always knows who to call to get something done.

Shares in our patients' victories and empathizes with their struggles.

Patiently explains protocols and procedures to me even when I forget.

Allows me to do the things I can independently while watching very closely when I do things new or unfamiliar to me.

Praises me incessantly when I do well and picks me up when I feel bad for screwing something up.

Protects both our licenses by making sure I document properly. (Especially narcs).

Is well liked and respected by all our coworkers for her knowledge and enthusiasm for teamwork.

Ensures we take our breaks or clock out "No break". "I'm not a martyr, I work for a living!"

Introduces me with praise to every co-worker and practitioner we see.

Takes absolutely ZERO crap from MDs or anyone else not doing their jobs or being rude on the phone.

My rotation with this wonderful preceptor will be over next week. Can anyone suggest any ideas for a gift I can get her?

Thanks!

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a drug calculation app for her smart phone, and a nursing drug manual app too.

sorry, you can't be too terrific if you don't know the difference between beta blockers, ace inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers. and you don't do drug calcs to save your life, but to avoid screwing up somebody else's. pharmacists make mistakes too... the nurse is the last point of checking before drugs are given, and she'd better check the incompatibility list.

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
the nurse is the last point of checking before drugs are given, and she'd better check the incompatibility list.

she does, she just calls the pharmacist instead of using the online tool.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

sounds a like she is an excellent nurse and preceptor!. It is lucky to meet that type of nurse especially in the beginning of the your nursing career.

If she likes coffee, how about a cute/nice coffee mug? or a cute badge holder? :)

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Find out if she likes to have manicures/pedicures. I don't care for them myself because I have issues with someone other than my husband touching my feet, but a great deal of my co-workers RAVE about pedicures. You could get her a gift certificate to a salon if she does, in fact, like mani/pedis.

If she likes massages, you could get a gift certificate at Massage Envy.

Find out if she has a Kindle. You could get a gift certificate for a few books.

If none of the above options work, you could always bake a nice chocolate/carrot/devils food/lemon cake to surprise her with. Accompany the cake with a homemade card designed by you with all of the heartfelt sentiments that you want to express. That was my favorite gift from one of my orientees.

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Specializes in cardiac, ICU, education.

OMG! She sounds wonderful, and don't forget, she can and will learn a lot from you too. Maybe you can figure out a way to help her as well. She sounds as if she has a mathematical learning issue.

If she is as wonderful as she sounds, then realize no one is perfect and accept her for all her great qualities as well as a couple of flaws. I had a wonderful preceptor as well and she single-handidly kept me in nursing during the times I was questioning my career choice.

As for presents, ask around to see what she enjoys if you don't know already. She sounds like she deserves a gift from the heart.

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

Put the list of positives praising her in a little letter to her, within a thank you card. If needs something, a gift certificate to where she can pick it out (like a gift certificate to Koi scrubs, or Staples, or the place she likes to buy her scrubs). I believe the list of her qualities that you admire, and the fact that you noticed and learned from them would be priceless to her....bet she'd read it more than once!

Jane:nurse:

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