Christel works as a preceptor for new nursing residents on our unit. She had been assigned to work with one of our residents who had been struggling a bit during her residency. Prior to their first shift together, Christel and I met to talk through goals for this resident. Christel was eager to help the resident succeed. They were scheduled to work together for 6 total shifts. Throughout this two-week period, I and the residency coordinator met with Christel and the resident to check on her progress.
Christel did such an excellent job highlighting this resident's skills and strengths while also providing specific, very constructive feedback. Christel offered many suggestions for ways to improve. You could tell that Christel genuinely cared about this resident's success. You could also tell that the resident felt very comfortable with Christel. At the end of their two weeks together, Christel asked for the resident to have a one-week extension on her residency. Together, the two of them set very specific communication goals for the coming week. When we met at the end of the week, I was overjoyed with this resident's growth. Her communication skills had vastly improved, her confidence in patient care, and her understanding of the plan of care also improved. She was speaking up when needed and asking appropriate questions. The resident was standing with much more confidence and felt ready to complete her residency.
I am so proud of Christel and the way she helped build and grow this resident. She did it with such compassion, and she helped empower this resident to provide safe, excellent, care to her patients. This is what nursing is all about. Yes, we take care of patients, but we also take care of one another.
We are a team, and to see Christel step up the way she did to help a fellow (and a new) nurse was truly inspiring. I am so thankful to have a nurse and person like Christel on our unit and team.