Signs of Good and Bad Placement Educators

Published: 30/08/2021

During my placements I have had a mixture of good and bad educators. These are my signs of both good and bad placement educators as well as my tips for how to manage sub-optimal placement educators.

Good placement educator

Bad placement educator

Enthusiastic Supportive and nurturing Patient Welcomes you and makes you feel apart of the team Provides useful and specific feedback with action points or examples of how to improve/implement Encourages you to focus on settling in during your 1st week Checks on your wellbeing Provides challenges for you without over stretching or overestimating your ability Available for support if required or has appointed another individual if away Explains about new conditions/techniques/treatments Encourages and welcomes questions

Not passionate about their area of practice Doesn’t check your work particularly when you are inexperienced or not assessed as competent Generic non-specific feedback that is difficult to action/implement Leaves you feeling like a ‘fish out of water’ Don’t feel you can go to them if you have a problem or issue Doesn’t explain/give an overview about new conditions/techniques/treatments

How to get the most of out of a placement with a sub-optimal placement educator

• When you are given non-specific feedback ask questions to try to gain more specific details such as 'what area do I need to specifically or most need to work on?' 
• Try to find another member of the team who would provide good guidance (if possible)
• Seek support from your peers
• If you feel uncomfortable doing something, make your feelings known and explain why e.g. inexperience or lacking in confidence