Preceptor Tools | Training New Nurses

The following are a few forms I use when I train new nurses. I noticed that conversations were not enough to properly assess an individual's growth. I needed proper documentation in order to properly evaluate the new nurse's development. The goals are to have specific learning plans each shift, set measurable expectations, and to provide comprehensive feedback. If we want new nurses to flourish and meet floor expectations, we must give them feedback and guidance.

1. Bedside Report Evaluations: After giving bedside report, I would give these slips out to oncoming nurses to evaluate the new nurse. They tended to be honest and help me in getting the new nurse to understand what areas they were missing and why certain information was important. I'd do this for the first 2 months only. By then, must new nurses knew what was expected.

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Bedside Report Review Slips
Created By | Nurse Nacole

2. Shift Game Plans: Each shift, I would type up new expectations and goals. This was a document the new nurse could look at repeatedly and know what was needed that day. There was no confusion or misunderstanding because before we started our shift, we would verbally go over the form and he or she would sign the bottom. This was something I did up until the end of the training period. It was documentation of their progress and I wanted to always keep track of their achievements. I wanted documentation of their milestones and growth. If there was ever a concern regarding their ability to work on the floor, I had concrete evidence they were growing and developing. No gossip, straight documentation.

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Shift Game Plan & Goals
Created By | Nurse Nacole

    

3. Patient | Environment | Documentation: This was just a cheat sheet of what I needed the new nurse to review each time they walked into the patient's room or as the shift went on. It was a little reminder of what needed constant assessing. I only used these for the first few weeks, as this process became routine after a certain point.

Download WORD Version
PED Assessment Tool
Created By | Nurse Nacole

I've been that student getting yelled at for something I was never told. I know it seems like a lot but these forms provide direction and focus. Are they a must when training a new nurse? Of course not. I like documentation and feel that people are more accountable when documents are signed and reviewed. These forms kept my trainees on track and everyone was aware of the educational game plan and goals for the shift. Oftentimes, things get lost in verbal conversations. I like things in print, what can I say.