A Vital Relationship in Nursing: Preceptor and Preceptee

Educating and Precepting Tips for Teaching The Stitch

By: Alana Azoulay, BSN, RN, CNOR

Published: 8/1/2024

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I have always had a soft spot in my heart for novice employees, especially the novice nurse. I can relate to them and reflect on the days when I felt lost, confused, overwhelmed, and frustrated as a new nurse. There is a learning curve when starting your career in the nursing profession, especially in the perioperative environment. I have always been motivated to teach the next generation and welcome them with open arms.

The patient relies on the perioperative nurse to be their eyes and ears. The patient is the most vulnerable in this environment and they put all their trust in the perioperative nurse within minutes of meeting them. However, some of the skills perioperative nurses need to support their patients cannot be taught in a classroom, making the relationship between nurse preceptor and preceptee vital.

The Preceptor’s Role

Nurse preceptors teach the nurse not only the policies of a hospital, but the “rules” of the nursing profession. Preceptors are critical team members who provide support both in and out of the hospital/work environment. Preceptors guide preceptees in every aspect of the nursing world. Teaching a novice perioperative nurse goes above and beyond skills checklists, passing instruments, and setting up a sterile field; it is also involves helping the novice nurse:

  • speak up to the surgeon when they are not following policy or surgical attire is not compliant or the surgical technologist when they want to count or they notice a sterility issue,
  • stop the line when things go astray and the patient is put at risk,
  • make sure the time outs are done prior to incision and that no harm is done to the patient,
  • be the patient’s voice since the patient cannot speak up for themselves, and
  • notify the surgeon when the counts are incorrect or an x-ray needs to be performed.

Preceptors should serve as role models and be nonjudgmental, so they do not deter any questions that, without the answers, could put a nurse or patient at risk. Preceptors should serve as “socializers” and introduce new nurses to others on the team, so they feel included. Everyone on the perioperative team works together and shares the same goal: protect and care for the patient.

My Role

I have been in a situation where another nurse was not nice or supportive. We are a team, and belittling a teammate is not beneficial. I often looked for that role model nurse who would answer any question I had and did not make me feel “stupid.” I would rather ask a question than wing it and find out the answer the hard way. That is what led me to precepting and ultimately where I am today: an Educational Resource Nurse for the OR. I train nurses, surgical technologists, medical assistants, and patient care technicians on the OR environment and policies. I get to serve as a role model for others to follow. I maintain a positive, upbeat attitude that hopefully carries through these employees and ultimately transfers to their patients.

Helping Preceptees Thrive

Ms. J was a nurse in one of my orientation groups who was new to the perioperative environment. She was kind and soft spoken and performed well in class and on our exams. I knew she would excel in the OR, but it would take time because the OR is such a fast-paced, specialized environment.

After her 3 weeks of classroom orientation, Ms. J began her preceptorship on the unit. Typically, after the trainees finish their classroom orientation, I round on their units to check in with them. I saw Ms. J in her room circulating and on the verge of tears. I quickly removed her from the room (not putting the patient in danger since her preceptor was in the room) and pulled her aside and away from others. She explained how she was struggling and having difficulty acclimating to her unit with her preceptor, who had a different style of teaching. I spoke to her and listened to all her concerns. I encouraged her to not give up and told her that I would help her with the situation.

After discussing the issue with her nurse manager, Ms. J received a new preceptor and began to love the OR. She is now flourishing in her position, and I cannot wait for the day when she becomes a preceptor herself. I know she will maintain a positive and respectful attitude toward her future preceptees. As we say in the OR: “see one, do one, teach one.”

Her previous preceptor was spoken to and had time to reflect on her previous precepting experiences. A silver lining to this occurrence was that this preceptor gained new insight and was successful in precepting other new nurses who came to the unit.

Conclusion

We have to take the time to care for our nurses. If we cannot care for our nurses, there is no one to care for our patients. We must start at the root so that we can watch them grow and blossom.

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