Why does my preceptor have to find someone to precept me when she is scheduled off?

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

I asked the assistant NM (who also organizes the internship) what nurse will I be assigned to when my preceptor is off the days I'm supposed to be on the floor. I'm in class room orientation for several weeks in addition to on the floor orientation in which I follow my preceptors schedule. Our schedules cancel eachother out. When I'm avail to work the floor she is off and vice versa.

She's due to go on vacation next month for two weeks and I'm wondering who is going to precept me.

The assistant NM stated that it is the responsiblity of my preceptor to find other nurses to precept me when she's absent. I spoke to my preceptor and she was like, umm no it's not my responsbility. So now I'm confused and feel like a burden...

I just wanted to know if this is common practice?

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I have never heard of the preceptor having to find coverage while they were away. It sounds like you need more clarification from the assistant nurse manager, or even the nurse manager if need be.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

I totally agree. I used to precept nurses at my old job ( used to be a nurse in LTC) and when I was off it was up to management and staffing to assign my orientee to another nurse...

This is crazy! The NM will not get involved as it is the assistant NM job do to scheduling. Its just hard because it's self scheduling so the schedule changes all the time. ugh...

Tomorrow I will clarify this with someone.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We always have 2 people assigned to each person, so if that one is off for whatever reason, the other picks up. Why did they even put you with someone who doesn't match up to your schedule...that was just plain dumb to start with. Your schedule should match hers...when ours are in classroom for a week, then the next they match up to our schedule.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

We always have 2 people assigned to each person, so if that one is off for whatever reason, the other picks up. Why did they even put you with someone who doesn't match up to your schedule...that was just plain dumb to start with. Your schedule should match hers...when ours are in classroom for a week, then the next they match up to our schedule.

This is the way it should be! I like the way it is there. I will ask the NM assistant about it tomorrow. I'm just so freaking happy with this new job that I don't want to stir up any trouble.

[yuzzamatuzz]

We have two people assigned to each person. And if that still doesn't completely work out (and usually it doesn't on a day or two), my nurse manager is responsible for finding someone else to do it.