Being asked to precept a new nurse is both an honor and a responsibility. You’ve been recognized for your clinical expertise and ability to teach—but precepting is a skill unto itself that many nurses never formally learn.
Great preceptors don’t just teach tasks; they shape the next generation of nurses. This guide will help you become the preceptor every new nurse deserves.
Understanding Your Role
What Precepting Really Means
As a preceptor, you’re responsible for:
- Clinical Teaching: Skills, procedures, critical thinking
- Socialization: Introducing them to unit culture and team dynamics
- Professional Development: Modeling professional behavior
- Emotional Support: Helping them navigate challenges
- Evaluation: Providing honest feedback on progress
- Safety: Ensuring patients are safe while learning occurs
The Impact You Have
Research shows that preceptor relationships significantly influence:
- New nurse retention (positive precepting reduces turnover)
- Job satisfaction and confidence
- Clinical competence development
- Professional identity formation
Simply put: you can make or break their transition to nursing.
Preparing to Precept
Before They Arrive
- Review their background (school, previous healthcare experience)
- Prepare a loose orientation plan
- Identify key resources they’ll need
- Clear your schedule of competing commitments if possible
- Mentally prepare for the extra work and patience required
The First Day
- Welcome them warmly—they’re nervous
- Give a unit tour and introduce key people
- Discuss expectations (yours and theirs)
- Establish communication preferences
- Take a reasonable assignment—not your busiest day
- End with positive feedback
Effective Teaching Strategies
The “See One, Do One, Teach One” Model
- See One: They observe you performing the skill/task
- Do One: They perform with your supervision and coaching
- Teach One: They explain the process (teaches deeper understanding)
Think Aloud
Verbalize your clinical reasoning:
- “I’m concerned about this patient because…”
- “I’m prioritizing this way because…”
- “The reason I called the doctor is…”
New nurses can’t see your thinking—make it visible.
Ask Questions, Don’t Just Tell
Instead of: “Give the medication at 9am”
Try: “What time is that medication scheduled? What do you need to assess before giving it?”
Questioning develops critical thinking; telling just creates task-followers.
Progressive Independence
Gradually increase responsibility:
Week 1-2: One patient together, you lead
Week 3-4: Two patients, they lead with your close supervision
Week 5-8: Increasing patient load with decreasing direct supervision
Week 9+: Near-independent practice with you available for questions
Giving Effective Feedback
The Feedback Sandwich Is Outdated
Instead of burying criticism between praise, try direct and specific feedback:
Specific: “When you documented that assessment, you missed the lung sounds. Here’s how to make sure you capture everything…”
Timely: Give feedback as close to the event as possible
Actionable: Tell them what to do differently, not just what was wrong
Balanced: Over time, ensure you’re noting positives and areas for growth
Handling Mistakes
Mistakes are learning opportunities. When they happen:
- Ensure patient safety first
- Stay calm—your reaction sets the tone
- Debrief privately
- Ask them to identify what went wrong
- Discuss what they’d do differently
- Document per facility policy
- Move forward—don’t hold it over them
The Struggling Orientee
If your orientee isn’t progressing:
- Document specific concerns objectively
- Have honest conversations early
- Involve your educator or manager
- Create an improvement plan with clear expectations
- Some people aren’t ready or aren’t a fit—that’s okay to recognize
Building Their Confidence
What New Nurses Need to Hear
- “That was really good critical thinking.”
- “I was nervous at this stage too.”
- “You’re exactly where you should be right now.”
- “I noticed you did X really well today.”
- “What do you think you should do?” (then validate their correct thinking)
What to Avoid
- “Didn’t they teach you that in nursing school?”
- “When I was new, we didn’t have all this help…”
- Eye rolling or sighing at questions
- Talking about them to other staff
- Comparing them to other orientees
Taking Care of Yourself
Precepting Is Extra Work
Acknowledge that precepting adds to your workload. Strategies:
- Ask for appropriate patient assignments during orientation
- Communicate with charge nurse about your needs
- Take breaks—you’re no good to them exhausted
- Set boundaries between work and home
When It’s Not Working
Sometimes personalities don’t mesh, or the assignment isn’t right. It’s okay to:
- Ask for a different orientee assignment
- Request support from education or management
- Take a break from precepting if you’re burned out
Measuring Success
Signs Your Orientee Is Ready
- Manages time effectively with full patient load
- Prioritizes appropriately
- Recognizes changes in patient condition
- Knows when to ask for help
- Communicates clearly with team
- Documents thoroughly and timely
- Shows confidence without arrogance
Signs They Need More Time
- Consistently missing critical assessments
- Unable to prioritize or manage time
- Not recognizing patient deterioration
- Relying on you for every decision
- Repeated same mistakes
The Legacy You Leave
Years from now, your orientees will remember how you made them feel during this vulnerable time. They’ll pass on what you taught them to the next generation.
Great precepting isn’t just teaching skills—it’s shaping the culture of nursing one new nurse at a time. Thank you for taking on this critical role.
