Preceptor training

I was laying in my bed a certain afternoon on my usual daily naps after a long night at work when I got a call from the UWISON stating that I had been selected to be a part of the preceptorship training program. My initial thought was “Thank you Lord”. Truth is I have always felt like I needed to find and position myself in more avenues that seek to enhance the development and guidance of the young and coming. I so happen to be a believer in paving the way for a smoother journey for those coming behind - Hence my easy inclination to becoming a part of this program.

Arriving in class on my first day, I got a little lost.  Initially I got lost trying to find the UWISON building on the UWI campus. I kept stopping to ask for directions from students walking the pavement. It was interesting to find that a good number of students weren’t even sure where the building was located. A few times I was steered in the wrong direction, but eventually I found my way. I got lost again when I arrived into the classroom. Seeing all of my colleagues walking in a circular frenzy with papers and pens in hand asking questions from one another, I got bombarded with questions like “Did you have coffee for breakfast?” “Have you ever been to Canada,” “Are you a single child,” “Do you own more than two wrist watches?” “How many languages do you speak?” among others. I had to ask myself what was going on. It took me a moment to settle into the disarray, until I was welcomed and became a part of the group. We soon settled down.

Reflecting on the past week, I am grateful just for the idea of being in a position that helps to foster and guide the growth and development of students. Having worked as a Registered Nurse at the University hospital nearly two years, I have seen many students come and go who explicitly displayed deficiencies in both simple and complex clinical skills. More so, there were those who by their implicit actions and inactions subconsciously beckoned for counsel, words of encouragement and/or reassurance.  The key idea, I realized, is to pay close attention to each student as they all come with variations in capacity as well as needs.

In class we have been able to define and redefine the terms preceptor, preceptee and preceptorship. We have looked at the roles of a preceptor as a facilitator and trainer in preceptees' clinical development. We also have looked at the qualities, attributes and attitudes relevant to being an excellent preceptor and what it means to be a role model.  However after recently reading an article on nursing preceptor views on precepting undergraduate nursing students (2012) by Deborah Haines, my perspective on what to possibly expect on the job as a preceptor was broadened. I became even more cognizant of the essential need to work concomitantly with school faculty in order to be more involved in the students’ development process, and this might be achieved by ensuring an open communication channel, meeting with faculty and nursing students prior to beginning of clinical experience and ongoing, as well as providing quality and honest feedback to students and faculty, just to mention a few.  As a role model, I understand that my actions or inactions can be emulated by nursing students and may help to shape values and attitudes that will be either beneficial or detrimental to their success.

One challenge I have encountered in the past week has been adjusting my daily schedule to fit in the three days a week three o’clock classes for the program. I realize that for some reason quite controllable by me, I arrive in class a little later than start time especially on days when I work night shifts - and the subsequent sleep that ensues after I get home. In dealing with this, I have begun to get sleep earlier in the day, and also begin preparation for the day’s activity early enough so that I can leave home in time.

In our classroom, even though the air conditioning keeps the temperature cold, the ambiance within has been warm. Some of my colleagues, I’m only getting to meet for the first time. But the classes have provided a room for introduction and mingle. The instructor for the program Mrs. Stanley has shown a consistence in delivering quality content and has also maintained a smile on her face the entire week. So far, we all are getting along and it seems like whatever challenges in the coming 5 weeks can be overcome. For the coming week, I plan to not only have a perfect attendance, but also to be punctual. More so, to read as many journals as possible relating to the subject areas  to be taught so as to be better informed, knowledgeable, and make valuable contributions during our ever enjoyable classroom discussions.