I am in my first semester of three clinicals and I have been having a hard time with clinical placement. My school (that supposedly places students) dropped the ball, and I did not want to be placed midway through the semester and left scrambling. My first preceptor that I had gotten left abruptly her job prior to the semester starting, so I found another one that works at a private practice. We haven't started yet, but the problem is she is taking four students. (first it was three, now four) She says she [hopes] that not all of us will be there at the same time and plans to precept 2 a day. However... I feel like my education may suffer if I have to share a preceptor with three other students. I was hoping for one on one attention, but I am thinking that might not be an option. Should I try to get more clinical hours in to make up for the shared time? Should I be concerned? Is it normal for preceptors to have multiple students at a time? Thanks! 1 Likes More Like This Bad Clinical Instructor by faithjohn Nurse Help by summertx Clinical Rotation In COVID Unit by Elice I HATE nursing school. Now what? by ks__102 I want to apologize to my instructor. Please help me. by porscheXN
DrCOVID, DNP Specializes in psych/medical-surgical. Has 13 years experience. 456 Posts May 13, 2021 My primary preceptor had 2-4 almost all the time, but would only have 1 on one day. We doubled up sometimes but even then the other 2 students would barely even talk while I was there. Even in my program that had extra hours, you can often work around the other students as you only have to be there a few times a week. Either way if I were in your situation, I wouldn't focus so much on 'attention'. I would focus on completing your education as that is more important. Theoretically speaking, a lot of things should be different for APRN licensure. Edited May 13, 2021 by DrCOVID 2 Likes
babyNP., APRN Specializes in NICU. Has 14 years experience. 1,919 Posts May 13, 2021 What is the clinical setting? 2 Likes
strawberryluv, BSN, RN Specializes in LTC, Med-surg. 768 Posts May 14, 2021 It is normal for a preceptor to have multiple students at a time. I was sharing my preceptor with 3 medical students in pediatric private practice. I don't feel my education suffered in fact it was greatly enhanced as I was able to communicate with the students about the cases when we did not have patients. I learned a lot. Part of this clinical process is also your own self-learning and looking things up, not just relying on the preceptor to teach you. 2 Likes
ThePrincessBride, BSN, RN Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU. Has 7 years experience. 1 Article; 2,501 Posts May 14, 2021 14 hours ago, babyNP. said: What is the clinical setting? Private practice (Family Med, outpatient). On 5/12/2021 at 8:13 PM, DrCOVID said: My primary preceptor had 2-4 almost all the time, but would only have 1 on one day. We doubled up sometimes but even then the other 2 students would barely even talk while I was there. Even in my program that had extra hours, you can often work around the other students as you only have to be there a few times a week. Either way if I were in your situation, I wouldn't focus so much on 'attention'. I would focus on completing your education as that is more important. Theoretically speaking, a lot of things should be different for APRN licensure. Okay. That is great to know! I wasn't sure if this was normal as this is my first round of NP clinicals. 2 Likes
ThePrincessBride, BSN, RN Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU. Has 7 years experience. 1 Article; 2,501 Posts May 14, 2021 11 hours ago, strawberryluv said: It is normal for a preceptor to have multiple students at a time. I was sharing my preceptor with 3 medical students in pediatric private practice. I don't feel my education suffered in fact it was greatly enhanced as I was able to communicate with the students about the cases when we did not have patients. I learned a lot. Part of this clinical process is also your own self-learning and looking things up, not just relying on the preceptor to teach you. I realize that, but seeing as this is my first clinical round, I think I may need more of the preceptor's time...if this was my last clinical, I wouldn't be as concerned. 2 Likes
DrCOVID, DNP Specializes in psych/medical-surgical. Has 13 years experience. 456 Posts May 15, 2021 Your first clinical round you should mostly be observing? 0 Likes
ThePrincessBride, BSN, RN Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU. Has 7 years experience. 1 Article; 2,501 Posts May 18, 2021 On 5/15/2021 at 9:12 AM, DrCOVID said: Your first clinical round you should mostly be observing? OK so I did my first clincial and you're right, it was mostly observation. It was me and a last-semester FNP student and I think as long as there are only two of us, it should be okay. Next clinical I will start seeing people by myself. 0 Likes
