Dear Preceptee

It's hard to believe the time you've spent with me on the unit is now drawing to a close, and you're a brand new RN going to work on your very first unit full-time. I'm so glad our neighbors in the building next door gave you the job.

Just remember a few things, as my parting gift to you:

1. Breathe. Yes, we count the respirations on our patients and sometimes we need to count our own. When things get tough, inhale AND exhale. Your brain needs that oxygen to think.

2. Keep learning. Even if they call you a geek, even if it's time-consuming, soak up new material like a sponge. You never know when the things you've learned before will come up again.

3. Know your own burnout level. Think of fun things to do away from work and family. You need to recharge the batteries once in a while to get optimum performance. If you can't get your own ideas to work, seek out other ones (people and ideas). Help is a very handy four letter word.

4. Believe in the mission. Our mission isn't the marketing one: it's real. You have a warm smile and great way of conveying it. Our patients can really relate to you. Carry that song in your heart, when the cynics want to turn up the din of distraction. (Trust me...you'll start hearing it much too soon!)

And if you're ever wandering across the parking lot in search of stuff for your folks, come by and say hi. The door is always open.

Your preceptor, 
RehabRN