Preceptor Selection

Week 1: June 7-13th

The task of selecting a preceptor came as an unexpected one. It was another frustration in the lack of preparation I have felt through this BSN process. It is easy to feel disconnected from the University when you are an online student. The school of nursing has failed to provide leadership for online RN-BSN students that is consistent. For the task of finding a preceptor, it would have been helpful to make us aware in the leadership class that we would be completing clinical hours and we could have been locating a preceptor over the break.

It may seem like I am just complaining. In fact, I am looking at the process of being an online RN-BSN student from the management/professional nursing perspective and seeing opportunity for improvement. When your BSN program is unorganized and no on seems to be planning ahead or know what is coming next, what does that say about the quality of the program? What does it say about the professionalism of the program?

In every setting there are ways to improve the process. Who is the professional nursing leader that is evaluating the process and working on improving it? I have recently begun to ask this question in my clinical setting (as well as at TWU). I have recognized the strengths in my manager and some opportunities. Our unit is in a time of transition and watching her 'lead' us through has revealed she may not be up to the task.

When I realized I needed to find a preceptor I sent an email to my manager and the department director on the same day. While they both are very busy with many responsibilities the director got back to me within 24 hours. Within a few days she had sought out information from me about what I desired in my clinical experience and contacted a potential preceptor. By four days later I had an emailed preceptor agreement.

My manager responded to me 8 days after my original email. 8 days. I received her email on the day I completed my first clinical. This slow response and unprofessional behavior makes it difficult to respect her as my 'leader'. It did however reinforce a lesson to go to the right resource person. It also gave me new respect for my director.

Unofficially Underway!

Summer semester is unofficially underway. I am nervous about this class and maintaining my GPA. Since spring semester ended I had surgery and am off work until July. Now trying to figure out how to get in the clinical hours for this course is weighing heavily on me. My biggest concern is that my employer won't let me precept at our facility because I am on disability...so I am just having to wait it out and see what happens.

I have been involved in leadership in some way or another all my life. From leading a group of girls on the school yard to being both formal and informal leader on my current unit. It is funny that even while I am off work, the issues on the unit are being brought to me via email or facebook!

I enjoy helping my coworkers navigate conflict situation. I am thinking about this role in the development of my personal objectives for this class. I think I need to improve my communication style and techniques. Some of the problems I have had relationally at work revolve around communication. My manager recently told me she thought I would fit well into a CI position. So these are some of the things I am considering to discuss with my as yet unknown preceptor.

Nurses as Teachers - a Magnet force

Well almost everyday I work, I have a student assigned to my patients. Sometimes I enjoy the students and sometimes I just wish they would go away! This past week I went 2 for 3. So I have decided to take a new approach with them. First thing in the morning I ask them what they would like to get out of the day, and what they expect from me. Essentially asking them their personal objectives for their clinical experience. Working in mother/baby, often the students have no interest in that department. So given they don't really want to learn about the nursing process related to that patient population, what else can I teach them?

So yesterday I had a fun loving, outgoing male 26 year old, working on his second degree. He doesn't intend to work mother baby so I taught him time management and critical thinking. I made him think through things: Me: "Can you get the patient some jello" Student: "Sure, where is it?" Me: "In the pantry behind the desk" Student:"There wasn't any in there" Me"Where did you look?" Student:"In the fridge" Me:"Try looking in the door of the fridge" Student: "Oh, OK"
He returns victoriously with the jello in hand. Me:"What is she going to do with that jello" Student: "eat it????" Me: "Is she going to do some Jello shots?" Student:"Ohhh, a spoooon!"

Eventually the patient got the jello and a spoon! Actually the critical thinking came with the diabetic patient who prior to pregnancy had been on oral meds with insulin therapy started during pregnancy. She was post op 12 hours on clear liquids 1800 ADA which was presented on a tray as non-diabetic juice, jello & popsicles....Me: "What do you think about this tray?"

So going the extra mile to teach while providing patient care and learning an ever evolving process related to the EHR, is exhausting! But very rewarding...and at the end of the day my student said "I really learned a lot today. Thank you" He was surprised and grateful and I realized I like teaching! Oh oh...double masters??? FNP and Education?

Crunch Time

Well at this point in the semester it begins to feel like you are home free. This feeling is deceptive. It is actually the busiest time of the semester. All papers start coming due, while the weekly work stays on pace. Meanwhile I am feeling more ahead than before, wrong! I am feeling the presence of these five classes waiting anxiously to register for the final 2 this summer. Mentally there is something to registering for the final step! Of course for me that the end of the beginning and in the fall the Masters program. I have applied and await notice of acceptance.

Spring What?

That was anything but a break! I am worn out. We are in a very busy season of back to back out of town guests, school and health issues. We might have a surgery coming up and I am not sure I have time for that. I am hoping our family can put off the surgery until May 19th! Well see? In the mean time, time management is the key.
I continue at work to brainstorm regarding the communication problems that I will be addressing in my paper. I have been discovering some of the communication requirements that our facility requires but that our unit is neglecting. I am excited about making a difference.

Spring Break

For the first time since 1989 I lucking forward to spring break! I am taking my children to San Antonio which will be our first visit. Sometimes good leadership means knowing when to put work aside and have some fun!

Discipline

All lives have seasons. This for me is a season of discipline. I must be disciplined to manage my responsibilities or I will succumb to faulty time management. Sitting at the computer to write DB postings, blogs, papers etc...puts you in the vulnerable position of searching the Internet. I keep multiple windows open at a time, pandora for music, blackboard of course, TWU email, and Facebook! Although I have to say I am sort of over FB, I still check it a couple times a day. Yesterday, I ended up on Ebay looking for some computer software which led to looking for a computer...which led to me saying, "What are you doing?".
For the most part I am disciplined with my time, out of necessity. One of my coworkers asked how school was going, what was I taking etc...when I told her she said, "what are you trying to do kill yourself?" Absolutely not! Honestly, the only way I am surviving this season is by relying on others. My husband, daughters and most importantly my Savior - Jesus. He is the God of my days, the God of my nights, the Divine of my discipline and the Peace in my peril. In my weakness He is made strong. By his Holy Spirit, I will be led back to my task from Ebay or FB, and given clarity to see it through until the end.