Why be a preceptor from the student perspective?

It seems there is a shortage of preceptors for students in the clinical setting especially in capstone. I find myself questioning why this would be? Is it that we are too nervous to teach? Is it that we are unwilling? Because there is no monetary incentive? I would love to hear others views on this topic!

Let me just say I am not a preceptor, as I am a new grad, but I just recently finished a capstone experience. I must say that I valued my preceptor and her knowledge she had to offer me. I was very grateful for the experience, and wish that other students were able to enjoy it the same. The knowledge we acquire in school is huge, and lets be honest you were all students once right? Doesn’t it make more sense to offer our knowledge and skills to future generations willingly, it is the only way to shape these nurses and help them grow professionally.

There could be times where we as new grads can offer education as well. It could be on a newer technique we have learned, or maybe it is knowledge from a previous experience? Being open to each other and allowing learning to be mutual can allow for more growth as well. After all our patients are our main priority!

The millennial

“Millennial” that is a term I had yet to hear or understand. Now I think it is more apparent in the changing world of technology, views on nursing, and the general attitude. I feel as  a student nurse we have many different views and fears coming into the nursing world. Some of these fears for me have been the theory on “eating your young” and “sink or swim”. As a nursing student I do not want to fail in my new profession, and even though I feel well supported, there are times when we see interactions in clinical where nurses are not welcoming to students and newer nurses. I found through my capstone experience that this topic is discussed in some meetings, and it is actually common to promote new nurses to speak up and new nurses to feel supported and involved which was very reassuring. I hope to always promote support to new nurses under me as the years go by! Share your knowledge with us, we want to learn from you!

worn/reborn

Worn/Reborn

Everything Old is… ??? OK pay attention

SO this is really unexplored territory for me, a nurse in the 4th  decade of service. I am excited to have a chance to talk to nurses fresh from the experience of school and just granted their RN status, and those that have been a professional RN for an extended length of time.  Your area of practice is interesting to all, because it stimulates discussion, and your personal experiences, are welcome and encouraged.

Hold on to your nursing caps because, my hope is we will be real and raw, but (NO OBSCENITY), with those of us that are in to the 4th, 5th, and 6th decade, of service,  so that the contrasts between the nursing experience of 50 years ago and today will be highlighted, and then we can stimulate, more discussion, as to the benefits of the millennials and how they enhance nursing practice and how we gain from the presence of the nurses entering this professional practice.