Anyone else a preceptor? Do you like it? Why or why not?

I usually have a student with me or I am orienting someone at my work. I've not had anyone for a couple weeks now, but then yesterday I got a call from a student and I am back at it on Thursday. It's funny because one of my supervisors made me an ambassador to a new employee (which means I just take them to lunch a few times and be really nice to them) and told me she was going to give me a break on precepting since I have had one person or another straight practically for the last 6 months, lol. I don't think she even thought about how I might get a student and not a new employee or transfer. I don't mind at all though. I enjoy having someone to teach. Yes, when it's busy it's more work at first to teach them how things are done, but, man, once you do life gets much better. It's nice having an extra set of hands, lol. And it fulfills my underlying desire to teach. I always said I was going to be a teacher when I was growing up.

Although it can be a bind (mainly because it is tiring) having a student / new person to teach and take care of all the time those people who like teaching and are good at it should definitely be encouraged. It is great that you enjoy it so much, but not everyone is as good at being a preceptor as you so obviously are.

When I was working in clinical practice I loved having students to teach. It keeps you on your toes, plus helps you to stay bang up to day with clinical practice.

__________________
Julie
http://www.lifeinthenhs.wordpress.com

MelJayne, if you really do love to teach, I know that schools of nursing are often really needing more clinical faculty. I don't know where you live, but something to think about is exploring moving out of the clinical world and into teaching...and it's a way to get your feet wet.

__________________
A Window For Your Home: Stories of dying and doctoral education

http://awfyh.blogspot.com/

magic is the deliberate manipulation of coincidence

I've discovered that I'm too much of a control freak to precept.

It is sooo hard for me to step back and wait for the preceptee to do what they need to do. I always want to jump in. It's too hard to just sit there and observe, etc.

I like *teaching* though. Just not precepting. Like when I have a patient on CVVH and a preceptor sends their preceptee into my room. I love to explain why we're doing CVVH and what it's all about.

__________________
code blog

Geena's distinction between precepting and teaching is an important aspect to know about yourself. While some are wonderful teachers, and can explain things flawlessly and give students or new nurses wonderful insights, they may be awful at letting others "do" the actual tasks.

Before precepting, you need to be honest with yourself by asking the question, "Am I a teacher, a preceptor, or both?" If allowing a student/new nurse the added time to do things that you could do twice as fast on your own makes you anxious or wanting to say...."you really need to speed things up a bit or we'll never get to go home," it's best you leave the precepting to someone else. Don't be ashamed if that is how you feel, but KNOW that is how you feel and don't allow yourself to short change someone because you think precepting is "what you should do if you are a good nurse." A good nurse knows her limitations.

__________________
www.MyOwnWoman.blogspot.com

I couldn't agree more with Myownwoman. Preceptors can have a big impact on their students. Someone who can't let their student do their thing, and continually jump in, really interferes with the student's confidence. I think confidence is nearly as important knowing concepts and procedures.