Embracing a professional path in the clinical setting as a clinical preceptor is definitely challenging and, in my case, as a lecturer, I recognized primary concerns if the institution that I am affiliated with will assign me to work in the hospital setting.
I am concerned to be responsible to the students in specialized areas like the Operating Room or Delivery Room where I am not fully confident or experienced in performing particular nursing roles and responsibilities. These areas require highly specialized proficiency and familiarity with routines that I have not regularly practiced in my profession. Obviously, this will create an impact to my capability in guiding students effectively and confidently.
Further, I am bothered in comparing performed nursing interventions with staff nurses from diverse clinical background, especially in high-pressure environments such as affiliations in government hospitals. Coming from a lecturer role, I am more oriented with theoretical knowledge and structured guidelines, which may be distinct from the fast-paced and more practical techniques utilize in a clinical scenario. Staff nurses have more hands-on expertise and confident in their practice, maximizing their resources to deliver care to the patients in need.
Finally, I am affected about student behavior and patient safety in the actual clinical setting. Risks that students may commit errors, mainly if they either overestimate their competence or decided not to obey instructions. These cases are part of my concerns due to chances of compromising patient safety and reflection on my supervision. The reason why I am serious in making certain that students remain accountable and cautious in their practice.
Despite these challenges, I see progress and enhancement which gradually heighten my confidence and competence in efficiently performing my role as a nurse educator in clinical setting.