What are preceptors/clinical coaches looking for?

[nursin09]

I am a nursing student that will be graduating in May of 2009. I am going to be participating in the Summer III program at the Mayo Clinic during the summer of 2008. I am wondering how I can make the experience good for both my clinical coach and myself. This actually applies to anyone who does clinical precepting as well. Any tips?

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

The program sounds like it will be a great opportunity for you! Make it known that you are eager to learn. Ask questions, do some research at home, be open to feedback. When your preceptor knows you really want to be there, it will be a positive and beneficial experience for both of you. It's hard to precept a student who expects the nurse to tell them everything and doesn't do their part in the learning.

Another bit of advice: seek out every opportunity to perform skills on the floor. During my final semester of nursing school, I realized that in a few months I would be a real nurse and no longer a student. I would ask every nurse on the floor that I was precepting on if they had a dressing change, IV meds I could set up, equipment that they could show me (like a wound vac), etc. This is your time to learn so make the most of your clinical experience!

[KatieBell]

I am a nursing student that will be graduating in May of 2009. I am going to be participating in the Summer III program at the Mayo Clinic during the summer of 2008. I am wondering how I can make the experience good for both my clinical coach and myself. This actually applies to anyone who does clinical precepting as well. Any tips?

Start out by bringing cookies candy or other nice food item the first day. It breaks the ice. All the nurses will then know who you are.

Let your coach know you want to do it all. Listen a lot. Clarify a lot. Be willing to help with boring stuff, like Road testing patients etc. As long as my student seems enthsiastic, I usually enjoy working with them. Remember clinical coaches usually volunteer to do it, so they tend to enjoy it.

[aileenve, ASN, RN]

Be interested in what you are doing!, come in on time ready to work, learn how to prioritize your time and most of all..ask questions!! It is really hard to precept, orient a person who looks at their cell phone, clock, or repeatedly asks when a break is coming. If you aren't interested in learning, or working on this unit; say so..