MODULE 2: The Student
PHASES OF ORIENTEE/STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Adapted from “Metamorphosis of a Critical Care Nurse: The First Year” by Deborah Tuggle, RN, MD. Critical Care Nurse (8), 2, 14-15.
The process of becoming an independent, productive orientee/student can be a long and difficult process for both the orientee/student and his or her co-workers. The orientee/student will progress through a series of predictable stages. Remembering your own first year of employment/clinical practice and understanding what the orientee/student is going through can help you to become a more effective preceptor.
HYSTERIA!
MONTHS 1 & 2 - The new orientee/student may feel overwhelmed especially if this is his or her first job. They are inundated with information. They are often expected to be familiar with new terms, skills, and routines. They may feel that they are expected to understand all functions of the job and perform like everyone else around them. They start to question the wisdom of their decision to work/orient here. They may ask themselves, “What have I gotten myself into?” “Will I ever be as competent as all my co-workers (they’re so smart?)” “Will I ever feel secure in my role and in this place? (Gee, I wonder if my liability insurance is current!).”
DISBELIEF!
MONTHS 2 to 3 - They feel like they’re beginning to catch on. Instead of rushing around in a panic, they’re getting organized and developing a routine. They are starting to internalize their job. They no longer need to use lists and notes to get through their tasks. They begin to feel comfortable with their responsibilities and they look to their preceptors and co-worker and recognize how supportive they have been. They feel as if they are making progress.
SELF-ASSURANCE!
MONTHS 3 to 6 - They are beginning to see past the tasks. The job is becoming easier. They begin to feel a sense of belonging and connection with their co-workers. They realize that they can do this job. They find that they are rarely relying on their preceptor or co-workers for answers. In fact they start to answer questions of other orientees/students (what a good feeling).
MANIA!
MONTHS 6 to 9 - They say, “Hey, I’m really coming along here. In fact I’m actually much smarter than most of the people around here.” They may start correcting and pointing out mistakes of their co-workers. They start to wonder how the department was able to manage before they joined the team. They think, "Wow, I’m really on top of things, but I wonder why no one asks me to go along on break any more.”
GRATIFICATION!
MONTHS 9 to 12 - They realize that their knowledge level is only the tip of the iceberg and there is still soooo much to learn. They also have come to appreciate their co-workers. Instead of competing against their team members, they have become part of them.
They recognize that they are doing quality work and have a sense of accomplishment when they go home at the end of their shift. They realize that the first year was difficult, but they feel proud of themselves and what they have accomplished.
Assisting the orientee/student through their first year of employment/clinical skills takes time, effort, and patience. But you should feel proud that you assisted in the growth and professional development of this valuable team member.
The Students Are Coming! This is a fun video that highlights some of the feelings that preceptors feel when new students come into the OR.
Surgery101.org
Activity - Build the "Perfect" Student - Collaboration
We obviously know that the idea of the "perfect" student is absurd, but in the fast-paced world of surgery, we need students to improve faster than they normally would. For this activity, we are going to identify attributes of the "perfect" student in surgery. We will also identify flaws that inhibit growth of the student in the surgical environment.
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In the Google Sheets form, list ten attributes of a successful surgical tech student. This can be anything! You will decide ten things that you look for in a future colleague. After you have listed your ten attributes, look at what others have put on their list and compare. Do you see any similarities? Are there things that you didn't think of?
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In contrast, you will also list ten student attributes that you DON'T want to see in a surgical tech student. What things will inhibit their growth as a surgical tech, also, what attributes do you think will be a barrier for your willingness to teach them?
Assignment - Comparative Essay - Assessment
Now that you have collaborated with other future preceptors, to identify successful attributes and potential barriers to the success of the surgical technology student, we will analyze further. Provide a one page comparative essay on how you think the "perfect" surg tech student should be versus how you were as a student.
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Reflecting on your past performance as a student and critically identifying how you could have improved, will provide a realistic expectation of how new students perform for you. Remember, be critical of yourself. This is the best way to identify with future students. Don't fall into the, "I was a perfect student" trap...we have all been there and we ALL made mistakes.
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Once you have completed your comparison, post it to your blog and add the link to the Facebook Group. Once you add it to the Facebook Group, add your post link to the Tracking Sheet.