Ask A Nurse: What Should I Expect From My Nursing Preceptorship?

Before you fly solo, you get a preceptor. A preceptor is an experienced nurse who works alongside you through orientation. Orientation usually runs a minimum of six weeks, longer depending on the unit. In the ICU or ER, expect four to five months.

Most preceptors choose the role and want it. On a short-staffed floor, one may get drafted into it involuntarily, which is worth knowing if the match feels off.

What a Preceptor Does

Their job is to support, teach, and mentor you. If that is not what you are getting, switch preceptors if you can. A good preceptor guides you to stay organized, build a care plan, prioritize and cluster care, manage your time, delegate tasks, recognize a deteriorating patient and when to intervene, carry multiple patients independently, advocate for them, and communicate cleanly with patients, families, staff, and the rest of the team.

How to Make the Most of It

You only get a few weeks to a few months, so use them. Treat it like belt levels in jiu-jitsu or karate: your goal during orientation is to earn that first belt, and it is your preceptor's job to get you there.

Show up on time and prepared. Communicate clearly. Set measurable goals and ask for feedback. Write down what you do not understand and look it up later. Listen, ask for help, ask questions, and take your breaks. Own your mistakes. Debrief with your preceptor after each shift and reflect on what you learned.

Before orientation starts, get on the same page. Ask how they like to communicate, how their experience with new nurses has gone, how they prefer to teach, when you will sit down to review your progress, what would make your orientation successful, and whether there is anything they would rather you not do.

If It Is Not the Right Fit, Switch

There is an ugly saying in nursing: "Nurses eat their young." There is some truth to it. Some preceptors act like your boss instead of your teacher, and some are burnt out from staffing shortages and caring for patients with COVID-19. When a problem comes up, raise it with your preceptor directly. If it does not improve, take it to your manager or nurse educator. If you still feel uncomfortable or bullied, ask to switch.

Your preceptor will not always be a great match, and that is fine. If telling them directly feels too uncomfortable, ask your nurse manager or educator to mediate a conversation. A third person in the room often defuses it.

Advocate for Yourself

Some new nurses stand up for themselves naturally; others feel intimidated. You have to advocate for your patients, and you have to advocate for yourself too. Early on you may not catch your own mistakes. With practice you will feel competent and confident, and when you are ready to do a task on your own, say so. Your preceptor tracks your progress in your orientation packet, so it should not surprise them.

If you feel tension or frustration coming off your preceptor, name it with them or your manager. They may be projecting stress from burnout, the shortage, or COVID-19. Manage expectations on both sides.

Common Communication Problems

When your preceptor is passive-aggressive, address it with them, your manager, or your educator.

When their tone leaves you discouraged, get proactive: drill the skill you are struggling with, and ask a trusted experienced nurse to help. If that fails, go to your manager or educator.

When your preceptor does not seem to have time for you, take it seriously. Write down your plan for the day and confirm you are aligned. If you feel like you are teaching yourself, escalate it.

When you want more hands-on help, especially once your preceptor thinks you are ready to work alone, set your learning style at the start. Remind them you work and learn better side by side.

Key Points

A preceptor is an experienced nurse who works with you through orientation, usually six weeks to five months. Their role is to teach you to manage and care for your patients. To get the most out of it, listen, ask questions, and take issues to your nurse manager or educator. Advocating for yourself protects your patients too, so speak up if the fit is wrong.