I’ve had some trouble getting in touch with my preceptor for practicum.

The story is this…

I received her on Thursday and called the educator of the floor that I was given as a contact.  We decided on a start day, March 14th and then she sent my preceptor and I the same email with my start date on it and when to arrive, etc.    I emailed the preceptor that same day.

Zoom ahead 5 days.  I still had not heard from the preceptor.  My classmates already have days lined up for practicum so I am feeling very behind and in my real life job (as an RT) my employer only scheduled me for two days on the next schedule. (exactly a month from today) because I could not give him availability.  That kind of sucks for my pocketbook

Anyway……. I called the unit educator and left a message.  I realized that I didn’t leave my phone number so I shot the educator an email explaining the situation and left my phone number.    I got an email back from her saying that she was out of office for a week.  Thank god I sent that email otherwise I might be waiting for her reply which may not have come until  a week from now.  So a couple of numbers were left on that email for immediate assistance. I debated for a moment as to whether I needed immediate assistance.  I decided I did and chose one of the numbers and called it.

A friendly voice picked up the phone on the other end.  I explained who I am and why I was calling.  She told me that my preceptor was there today and asked me to hold for her.  2.5 minutes later I get my preceptor on the phone.  I explained who I was and how I sent her an email  and such.  She told me that she was sorry, that she probably got the email but she said she probably deleted it because she usually just reads the one from her supervisor. I understand that because there are many things I get in my corporate email that I really don’t read in depth unless they are from my bosses.

So I spoke with her and gave her my number and she is going to call me back with her schedule.   I am feeling so much better about this now. With all my classmates already lining up several practicum days I was feeling not so good about not being able to get in touch.

Edit:  she has called me and I have scheduled two additional days March 21st and 22nd.  No further dates are available.  She will also be on vacation for between my first practicum experience and my 2nd practicum day.  I could have done a third clinical day but opted not to do March 24th because it is my 5 year anniversary with  my husband. It’s a milestone anniversary otherwise I would have done the 3rd day.  One of these weeks I will have to do three  days but that is perfectly okay.  I have 35 days to do 10 shifts….