What's one thing you want your preceptor/teacher to know?

[lilla_fjaril]

I'm working on an article for mentors/preceptors--kind of a 'ten things every preceptor should know.' What was/will be one or two things you wish your preceptor/teacher knew?

For me it was: When you tell me I don't need to be nervous, I realize everyone can tell that I'm nervous and then I get even MORE nervous. Please, if you see me flushing or shaking just pretend you don't notice.

I also had a preceptor who met me on day one and introduced the first patient as 'Mr Smith S/P MVR on CVVHD until the echo team shows up to do a TEE.' I spent all day scribbling down acronyms to look up later.

[krenee]

They need to set the tone, they need to lead. They shouldn't expect us to go in knowing what we need to learn - that's why we're there, because we *don't* know. Tell us what the expectations are. We need feedback, positive or negative.

Off the top of my head . . .

[goodstudentnowRN]

Preceptor, please let the student know your expectations and allow them to learn about that specific hospital policies. Skills are done many ways and if the student do the skills based on how they were taught, please do not try to belittle the student, just show her how you would want her to do them for you. Remember, you have a student not a nurse with a license.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Show you trust them! I love that my instructor this year showed this after a few clinicals and it took my confidence sky high. She was always there when we needed her, but she wanted us to do as much as we could on our own.