Your preceptorship is an exciting time and a rite of passage for all students in nursing school. This is where you begin the work in earnest. This is what you prepared for. Under the guidance of your preceptor, you鈥檒l learn on the job how to put your education into practice.

It can also be a nerve-racking time 鈥� a time of uncertainty and even self-doubt. But it鈥檚 also your time with your own dedicated mentor, to absorb and learn in the field and graduate with confidence. Don鈥檛 waste this time. Make the most of it.

But how? We鈥檒l tell you.

In this post, we鈥檒l explore some of the standard practices of what makes a good preceptorship, as well as some of the more case-by-case challenges and opportunities you might encounter. You鈥檒l learn how to shine as a preceptee, how to maximize your learning, and also what not to do.

Every practicum experience is different, but beginning with confidence and knowledge is your best first step to success. Start here.

Note: The following tips are intended for students in nursing graduate programs 鈥� not precepting in the BSN program.

How to Be a Good Preceptee

When entering into your preceptorship and learning the role of a preceptee, remember The Four Cs: Be curious, be courteous, take cues, and communicate.

Creating a good relationship with your preceptor starts with your attitude and your work ethic. Keep an open mind and heart, and come ready to learn both academically and socially.

Be prepared. This, above all, will set you up for success.

鈥淧receptors appreciate preparation and initiative,鈥� advises Chelsea Vandine, Manager of Clinical Education at 国产主播. 鈥淐ome prepared. Take notes. Don鈥檛 make your preceptor repeat themselves. Be fully present.鈥�

You can even go above and beyond and consider coming in early to prep what you can that鈥檚 on the schedule. (Of course, do only what you鈥檝e been authorized to do on your own.) Be ready to adapt to a new culture and set of rules. Make sure you鈥檙e queued up to absorb.

Understand Expectations

In your first meeting with your preceptor at the beginning of your practicum, try to nail down expectations on both sides.

Start with outlining your process as preceptor/preceptee. Perhaps you鈥檒l meet at the end of each week for a review and feedback session, or maybe your preceptor will prefer to touch base daily. An example of something you might want clarity on is whether you can ask questions while with a patient, or whether you should hold them for the end of the day.

Basically, you鈥檙e asking your preceptor for house rules. Get all your initial questions answered, and then ask your preceptor if there is anything else you need to know that you haven鈥檛 already asked.

Also, let your preceptor know what you鈥檙e hoping to learn and accomplish through your clinical experience. They want to be a good preceptor as much as you want to be a good preceptee, so give them any useful information about your expectations and needs.

What to Expect on Week 1

It鈥檚 your first week. You鈥檙e eager to dive in and participate. Maybe you鈥檙e a little nervous, maybe you can鈥檛 wait to get started, maybe both. The truth is your first week is likely to be the most uneventful鈥攁t least when it comes to your role.

Every preceptor is different, and some may throw you into the deep end right away. However, the more likely scenario is that you鈥檒l spend your first day, or even week, shadowing and observing.

Use this time to get used to get your feet wet and fully understand all the policies and protocols. You鈥檒l get more out of your preceptorship by taking the time to absorb information, so try not to feel impatient or rush into work you鈥檙e not quite ready for.

Watch for Cues

Naturally, incidents will come up over the course of your practicum that you hadn鈥檛 thought to ask about, and this is where taking cues is important. Observe your preceptor for any clues for how to interact with patients and other nurses and doctors. Watch for any particular work habits your preceptor repeats and follow their lead.

Try to determine how much or little to interject or participate, especially early on 鈥� and if it鈥檚 not implicitly clear, just ask.

Don鈥檛 Take Anything Personally

You can enter your preceptorship as informed and prepared as possible, but you won鈥檛 be able to predict the culture and methodology of your assignment until you鈥檙e in it. Don鈥檛 be shocked if you hear a morbid joke or insensitive remark at the nursing station.

You might also discover that your preceptor is curt with you, looking over your shoulder more than you鈥檇 like, or coming off as judgmental. Again, don鈥檛 take this personally. This probably isn鈥檛 about you.

鈥淜eep in mind providers are protective of patients,鈥� Vandine advises. 鈥淚f they seem harsh, remember that it鈥檚 not personal; they鈥檙e just being a good nurse.鈥�

The same goes for the methodology you encounter when you arrive 鈥� every preceptor is different. Be ready to adjust and be adaptable. It might not be as warm and fuzzy as you like, but you鈥檙e there to learn.

Of course, if discourse during your preceptorship wanders into the abusive, discriminatory, or medically unethical, you may feel compelled to speak up. If you鈥檙e a nursing student at 国产主播, this is a great time to consult with your clinical coordinator. They can listen to your concerns and help you determine how to respond. Discomfort when you鈥檙e in a subordinate position can be scary, and you don鈥檛 have to navigate these situations alone.

Remember That Your Preceptor Is Human

At the end of the day, your preceptor is just a person with a personal life who goes home and feeds their fish like anyone else. Don鈥檛 expect perfection, and don鈥檛 put them on a pedestal. Neither revere nor fear your preceptor. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions and make requests. Two-way communication is a path to mutual respect.

And remember that like any human, your preceptor is flawed. You may witness your preceptor make a mistake, or even be reprimanded by their superior. Don鈥檛 judge. This is a moment for empathy. You may be in a similar situation someday, so this is a great learning opportunity for you.

If your preceptor is harsh with you, or even punitive, it鈥檚 important to remember that as their preceptee, the buck stops with them. Your mistakes become their mistakes, and the consequences for them can be very real because their license is on the line. Mistakes are natural, but if you fail to follow HIPAA, break regulations, or make a major mistake, they鈥檒l be held accountable. Be sensitive to this, and take that responsibility seriously.

Dropping or Swapping Preceptors

You may be wondering about the likelihood or circumstances that could lead to ending your preceptor relationship early. This is extremely rare. Even when the preceptor-preceptee dynamic is imperfect, be it bad chemistry or real difficulty working together, most preceptorships find their way to completion.

Exceptions occur in cases when a preceptorship cannot continue due to impossible circumstances like illness or loss. Or occasionally, a preceptor may leave their job in the middle of your preceptorship, in which case you鈥檒l likely be transferred to another preceptor. These circumstances are rare enough that you don鈥檛 need to think about them too much. Instead, be prepared to make your preceptorship work, and if you absolutely cannot, or circumstances beyond your control lead to a shortened preceptorship, work with your clinical coordinator to find a solution.

The Key Takeaway

In summation: Make the most of your preceptorship by showing up, being prepared, and making it work. Remember that everything about this time is meant to prepare you for more autonomous nursing, so every victory and every frustration is a learning opportunity. Carry your anticipation and enthusiasm with you into the first day, and then enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience.

For more helpful tips, check out our recent post on how to find a nurse preceptor.

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WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.