The first week of a nursing job brings a lot of information: people, systems, expectations and unfamiliar routines. A short list of questions can help you prepare for conversations with your preceptor without trying to remember everything at once.
Use the questions below as discussion prompts. Your employer sets your responsibilities, supervision and orientation requirements. Ask time-sensitive or safety-related questions immediately through the approved workplace process; keep this list for planned learning conversations.
Start with expectations for this week
Before making a long learning plan, find out what your preceptor and educator expect at your current stage. Useful questions include:
- What are the main learning priorities for my first week?
- Which orientation tasks or modules should I complete first?
- Where are my official requirements and progress records kept?
- How will we decide what I should observe, practise with supervision or review?
- Who should I contact when my usual preceptor is unavailable?
Write down where to find the approved information. A link to the learning portal or the name of the responsible role is more useful than a vague note to look into it later.
Agree on how feedback will work
AACN identifies setting learning goals and seeking preceptor feedback as useful elements of novice nurse development. You can make room for those conversations by asking when and how your team prefers to hold them.
- When would be a realistic time for a brief check-in?
- What should I prepare before we meet?
- Could you give me an example of what good progress looks like for this learning goal?
- If feedback is unclear to me, how would you prefer me to ask for clarification?
The aim is an arrangement that works with your unit's schedule. A particular meeting frequency is not guaranteed by this checklist.
Bring a small agenda
Choose two questions for your next conversation. Add one thing that has become clearer and one area where you need support. That gives the discussion a focus while leaving room for your preceptor's priorities.
For example, a fictional agenda could say: I found the orientation portal, I am unsure which modules are due this week, and I want to agree on one goal before the next check-in. This is specific enough for someone to help you take the next step.
Leave with an action and a review point
At the end, summarize what you understood: what you will do, who can help and when you will revisit it. If the plan involves clinical learning or assessment, confirm it with the authorized educator or preceptor and record formal progress in the employer's required system.
A personal note might read: Confirm the module list with the educator on Tuesday, complete the assigned preparation and bring remaining questions to the next check-in. It should not contain identifiable patient information.
Keep your questions in one place
The First 90 Days Organizer includes a preceptor check-in page, a learning-question log and a weekly goals template. Use them to prepare discussions and keep agreed actions visible alongside your employer's orientation process.
For help turning a conversation into a weekly plan, read how to turn preceptor feedback into learning goals.