Nurses honored for mentoring

The University of Colorado Hospital’s (UCH) Professional Resources Department has named its top nurse preceptors for the second quarter of 2011. Preceptors are experienced nurses who guide nurses new to the profession or to UCH through a 12-week program. The goal of preceptors is to improve the newcomers’ clinical skills and serve as mentors.

Second quarter honorees are:

Nikki Kirchner	Nikki Kirchner, rehabilitation unit charge RN: In nominating Kirchner, Clinical Development Coordinator Katherine Foss wrote, “Nikki is an invaluable resource for working with students who need extra time and attention in the clinical setting. Based on her clinical expertise and outstanding clinical instruction skills, (she) offers keen insights to course faculty and valuable feedback to the student.”
Rachel Reuss	Rachel Reuss, orthopedics unit: New to precepting, Reuss approached the role with “enthusiasm and a strong desire to succeed,” said Clinical Nurse Educator Andrea McFarland Mullen. “Throughout the orientation process, Rachel was proactive in asking questions and seeking feedback from the orthopedic unit nurse educator and her preceptee to make sure she was doing the absolute best job possible. Rachel assessed the learning gaps of her preceptee and sought patient assignments that would help fill in these gaps.”
Mandy Harris	Mandy Harris, medicine specialties unit: Harris “is an excellent nurse and outstanding preceptor,” wrote Clinical Nurse Educator Kristin Stockman. “The leadership team recognizes Mandy for her ability to challenge and question the new graduate nurses. Instead of giving the answers, she encourages them to think through the process and evaluates their decision-making and critical-thinking skills.”

Sandra Fogel, emergency department: “Sandy is a meticulous preceptor, ensuring that each new orientee she is responsible for knows not only how to be a sound ED nurse, but also every detail they need to be successful in our department, from where to chart something to how to collect observation charges to policies,” said ED Clinical Nurse Specialist and Educator Robin Scott. “(She) is wonderful at providing constructive feedback and allows her orientees to improve their processes before completing orientation.”

Rodney Gill, surgical intensive care unit: A 15-year veteran at UCH, Gill “is seen by his peers as a hard worker, patient advocate, and the guy who is most likely to respond to calls for overtime,” noted SICU Nurse Manager Martha Paulson. “As a preceptor, Rodney is impressive mainly because of his patience and dedication to his orientee. He is able to recognize when the new nurse needs guidance and when they need to ‘fly’ on their own.”

Source: UCH Insider