how would you like constructive feedback presented?
how would you prefer to be observed and shadowed?
learning style?
Personally I'm self critical so I get not wanting to fail in anyway (incl as a preceptor!) but I have a strong confident keep calm under pressure type personality and I'm trying to develop a way to work with new relatively sensitive personalities. The job has a lot of info to absorb but so far I'm laying it on too thick and it's coming across as critical when it's not intended to be. Two literally shake and break out in a swear when I'm trying to walk them through a procedure.
I'm about to be sent out to another branch for training and any suggestions appreciated.
Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
PS: for what it's worth, you always seem very fair and level-headed even on the most "fired up" topics here on AN, so I suspect that you're a pretty darn good preceptor in real life too.
Oh, oh, oh, and at my hospital job they wouldn't let me precept that much, although I had, occasionally, of course. They said I was too nice. Imagine that!
But why didn't she? Coming out of nursing school, I did have an idea of "how hard" it was.
Not fully, but enough.
I was lucky to have good preceptors who offered constructive criticism.
One would always tell me "what you have DOWN is this, what you still need some work on is THIS, and here's why..." I can still see her. Yes. I was intimidated, but I guess, more respectful than anything else. She was friendly but not overly so and would make sure I had coffee before we started anything. "You fueled up? Good. Let's go!" and off she would zip.
She wouldn't let me leave at night unless I asked her 3 questions. And if she didn't know the answers, she would help me to find them.
My scariest preceptor wore LOUD HEELS and was super tall.
I don't know why she didn't know it was difficult, seeing that she worked as a CNA on that floor. I did notice that she had a lot of "downtime" when she was a CNA. Quite frankly, I wouldn't have hired her as an RN. The SNAs who were proactive and anticipated patient needs always did better in their role change than the ones who had a lot of extra time on their hands, playing on their phones.
Great topic. I'm attending a preceptorship training day soon, and hope to learn as much possible. I am going to be an official preceptor within the next two weeks, and I am excited but nervous!
criticism said in a mentoring, supportive manner/tone is more effective to me, than sarcasm, barbed criticism, and passive-aggressive statements. Just my own experience speaking here (sigh) -- Based on your posts here on AN, I strongly suspect you do the former, rather than the latter. :)
Have you adjusted your time frame of expectations to take into consideration that these nurses are new nurses, not just new to HH? Emphasize to them that they are doing great (if they are), that there is a lot to learn, that you know it will take time, but things really will start to come together. Talk to them about learning style., maybe they would do better if you walked them through things the first time, giving supportive advice, or maybe they prefer advice ahead of time but for you to just observe during. We all have our own quirky preferences; find out theirs. On the otherhand, Maybe they need to take time after shift to review things. I spent countless hours after shift taking notes, reading up on things, and creating flashcards, when I first started in HH.
ETA: i was feeling frustrated in my job and that maybe I wasn't learning fast enough, until I found AN and read that it is normal to take up to a year to really feel like things are going as you expected they would. Be sure to remind them of that, too. Maybe it will relieve their pressure valves.
also, thinking way back to nursing school, I remember being so absurdly stressed in clinicals, fearing the dreaded "clinical warning". That anxiety sat with me for a while, even after graduation. Maybe reminders to relax, you are there to teach, not flunk them or fire them.
I am a lead preceptor training nurses from California to Puerto Rico, the way I tend to give feedback is positive, correction, positive reinforced. It works well and people are more open to change when you start off positive.
I'm a special snowflake (I wish people would stop using that in such a condescending way, I'd rather be called the p-word that means kitty). I have psych issues that translate into hypersensitivity to criticism.
The best preceptor I ever had would wait to tell me what I did wrong until it was just the two of us in a quiet environment. She also didn't say I was doings things the wrong way. In the moment, she would say, "Remind me to go over this with you later." Then she would follow up with methods for "improvement." It was always teaching moments and an improvement process. If I didn't improve, then she would move on to, "I noticed you didn't use the improvement we talked about," which was like being beaten about the head and shoulders when it came from her.
This is obviously not suitable for people who take direction well, but for people who are sensitive it works wonders.
Another thought. I always preferred a collaborative approach, rather than just being observed. Having people watch me makes me super nervous and more likely to screw up.
So, I like a preceptor who at least pretends not to be watching my every move by straightening the patient's room, or setting stuff up, or cleaning off the bedside table, something like that.
Well, we had a good day today. I've been reading and thinking about everyone's suggestions. Thank you!
I incorporated a few of them but had to throw some Libby into it and finally just said straight up I'm not there to criticize but to be there for support so as not to throw her out there on her own which apparently some HHAs do. Lots of praise, worked out how she wanted me to assist and validated that it's nerve wracking and an incredible amount to learn.
I'm really not mean or harsh, I've never said anything patronizing or derogatory, but I definitely can improve my approach because it has been perceived that I am.
AJJKRN
1,224 Posts
PS: for what it's worth, you always seem very fair and level-headed even on the most "fired up" topics here on AN, so I suspect that you're a pretty darn good preceptor in real life too.