I was wondering when you first started precepting, how far into your career was it?
My manager asked me if I would be interested in precepting a 4th year consolidating student in January? I graduated last year and feel unprepared to mentor someone. It's not that I am not interested, I would LOVE to teach someone (some day) and show them around the unit but I can't help feel that I need at least another couple of months or a year?
I told her...."I need more time!" and she said "well it's a requirement for all nurses to rotate between students."
I asked other nurses on the floor and they said they have done it within a year and half of being new grads etc etc. So it appears to be a common practice on this floor! I started on this floor end of September, so I am just getting used to the unit/staff.
Please tell me a little of when you started and if you have any advice?
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
hey everyone,
it's me...again.
i was wondering when you first started precepting, how far into your career was it?
my manager asked me if i would be interested in precepting a 4th year consolidating student in january? i graduated last year and feel unprepared to mentor someone. it's not that i am not interested, i would love to teach someone (some day) and show them around the unit but i can't help feel that i need at least another couple of months or a year?
i told her...."i need more time!" and she said "well it's a requirement for all nurses to rotate between students."
i asked other nurses on the floor and they said they have done it within a year and half of being new grads etc etc. so it appears to be a common practice on this floor! i started on this floor end of september, so i am just getting used to the unit/staff.
please tell me a little of when you started and if you have any advice?
thanks a million
i started in 1978; one year of experience. or less. those students knew more than i did!
As a student, I have found that as much as it depends on the nurse, I have had a better time with more experienced nurses. As in more than 2 years experience. I do not wish to have a student with me until I reach the year 1 mark at least.
I do orientations with new grad nurses. I started... hmmm... 2-2.5 years into my career. The nurse who usually does orientations was unavailable and so the new grad was sent to me as a temporary measure. The new grad raved about me, and that's how I got into doing it on a regular basis.
Recall how you were as a student nurse or a new grad and ask yourself how you wanted to be treated, what you wish your teachers would have done and all the different ways you and your classmates learned and finally got lessons to sink in. Think back to your best professors and the nurses you really liked, and use them as role models.
Have your hospital's P&P, helpful articles and textbooks within easy reach so you can refer your preceptee to them. It's often overwhelming to have to learn without referring to something visual and outlined first, so this takes the load off your preceptee and you too since you don't have to talk as much hehe.
While I am doing something, I explain all the rationales behind every step. Why I do this or don't do this and all the different schools of thought on a particular method. I basically make it clear that this is MY method, this is why I've made it my method but there are a million other methods out there.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
i started in 1978; one year of experience. or less. those students knew more than i did!