[caliotter3]

This comment is not directly r/t to the thread's topic but I have been finding lately that when looking for specific courses for meaningful continuing education, the staff dev/education depts of local institutions are becoming very non-accommodating. They are quick to say that they only allow orgn employees, no outsiders, to attend their courses. One person I asked about this said she didn't understand why this is becoming a trend but she agreed with me that this policy puts out a poor impression to potential employees.

I have been looking into online programs and am very discouraged about the experiences of all the above posters. I also took a class once and needed to find a clinical site with preceptor and was unsuccessful. I certainly wish I would have known this before enrolling in that class. Next time anything like this comes up (highly unlikely for me) I will follow the lead of the poster who said that she had her clinical placement arranged before she started. Very smart thing to do!

It would also be a good idea to make this thread into a sticky and use it as a clearinghouse where people could network for these positions in their respective areas. If I found a willing orgn/preceptor would be glad to pass on the info. In order not to violate any TOS, this info could be posted leaving out specifics. "XYZ Clinic in Kansas City provides clin exp for ABC prog with DEF school. They can place up to 3 students per term." would be sufficient info to help. Just an idea. Good luck everyone.

[BSNDec06]

I appreciate the information shared in this thread, because it helped me make my decision to attend a brick-and-mortar school. I completed my first graduate-level course this spring and start an FNP program in earnest this fall. I was all set to choose an online program due to the minimum 45-minute commute to attend any respectable MSN program in my area. However, I am now guaranteed a clinical spot two years from now, and I look forward to not having to worry about that component of my education.

Thanks again to everyone

[spaniel]

Wise decision in my opinion. Can you just imagine putting in all the coursework ,then not being able to find places for clinical?( I bet a lot more places would precept if it were not for the malpractice issue... but that's another issue.)As I probably mentionned,I had received an acceptance to a reasonably prestigious online NP school, but they WOULD not discuss the issue of finding clinical placements. As I think I might have typed above (in a prior post) the director of the program said my question was "inappropriate".
Obviously I declined the acceptance.

[JALEXSHOE]

I am a student in a BSN-MSN Nurse Practitioner Distance Learning Program. One needs to be careful when applying to online programs, and read their mandates for what they consider an appropriate clinical site and/or preceptor.

Some schools ONLY allow ARNP's, some will allow an MD or at least a portion of it to be supervised by an MD.

Some things I was told was that you can contact your local health departments or veteran's hospitals, they are usually accomodating. Another, is contact your physician or one of your health providers, and ask them if they know anyone who might be of help to you. Maybe someone at your church knows someone? Networking is not such a bad thing. Most schools do have some lists of approved clinical sites. Ask beforehand if you might view them.

One of the issues that has some of the places spooked, is there is a dual acceptance of malpractice insurance on the student. Hospitals unless pre-contracted are not usually insured, depending on your state's legislation to cover non-employees and their premiums skyrocket to accomodate others.

I was fortunate (mostly). I have a physician's group willing to precept me and willing to make phone calls on my behalf to get me into places they are not qualified to teach me to train me. I took a huge pay cut to go there, but in the end it will pay. They have hospital privileges, so I will be able to get entrance that way.

One may need to be creative, but that does not make it impossible. Online education actually works very well for me. I did my BSN this way, and it was a fabulous experience, and I am looking forward to doing my ARNP this way. Just starting out, so I will have to let you know how that goes. Doesn't hurt that I have been a nurse forever, and have made positive contacts all over. I am especially blessed.

Hope this helps even a little. Good luck.

[Larabelle]

Thank-you for alerting me to this problem. I am also one of the ones considering a online NP program (gerontological)...possibly at University of Missouri Columbia. I do not plan to start until Fall 2008 but I think I will begin looking for clinical sites now. I work for the VA so I will begin my search there...and branch out from there.

[kcocat]

Do most online MSN/FNP programs require your preceptor to be a Nurse Practitioner, or do most permit the preceptor to be an MD? Anyone know? This is something I hadn't considered....

[JALEXSHOE]

Originally Posted by kcocat

Do most online MSN/FNP programs require your preceptor to be a Nurse Practitioner, or do most permit the preceptor to be an MD? Anyone know? This is something I hadn't considered....

Yes, some schools require only ARNP's for training. You will have to ask your intended choice of schools what their requirements are. It is better to know this prior.

Good luck!

[yellow finch]

Originally Posted by kcocat

Do most online MSN/FNP programs require your preceptor to be a Nurse Practitioner, or do most permit the preceptor to be an MD? Anyone know? This is something I hadn't considered....

My school states that students may choose MD/DO/FNP/PA for the first semester (Health Assessment), but after that it must be MD/DO/FNP for a FNP program.

My personal recommendation is to go with a NP. While the MD/DO will have extensive knowledge and experience in a clinical setting, they really do look at patient care in a slightly different perspective. And while the two docs I worked with were pro-NP, there was still a slight paternal-child relationship between the two of us. I never felt like I fit into the setting. Thankfully, I have a wonderful FNP for my next semester of clinicals already lined up, and plan on utilizing NPs & PAs for the remainder of my program.

Hope this helps!