Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Log In | Register | Last 24 Hours
Nurse Practitioners (NP) /

Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,248 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Jul 09, 2009 09:32 PM

Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics


I am starting a FNP distance learning program the fall of 2009. I am going to try and work full time, and take the program full or part time. I will begin clinicals on 1/2009. I am told that I should start looking for a preceptor right away. I am hoping to find a NP or MD/DO in Denver, CO that works at least one late afternoon and an occasional Saturday. So that I can keep my full time job and attempt to do clinicals after work and on the weekends.

Therefore, I am thinking I should seek contacts with Urgent Care Centers or even a Walgreens center type of clinics. However, how would I approach such an individual without knowing them. Should I write a letter, show up at the clinic, or what?

I am really excited about starting school, but I must retain my job, and I know that if I could get a preceptor in such a setting it would work.

Thank you! Or is anyone a NP in Colorado that might be interested or you know of anyone?

Share
Search Tags
None
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply
19 Comments
No. 1
from traumaRUs
Old Jul 10, 2009, 06:56 AM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
I'm in the same boat and here is what I did:

I started with my state's advanced practice association and targeted those APNs living in my region within a reasonable commuting distance. These folks I just sent a blanket email stating where I got their contact info (because who wants strangers emailing them?), who I was and what I wanted. I sent out 10 emails and got 8 positive responses back.

Then, for the after hours clinics, I targetted the hospitals that have these in my areas. I cold-called them and left messages for the APNs. So far....I'm still waiting but just started this week or this audience.

I also plan to do clinicals based on my prn job in the ER with the MDs and since the ER is 24/7, that's easy to do.

Another thing I did was to plan to use PTO time to do clinicals. I am taking 40 hours PTO in August and plan to get at least 60 hours of clinical time in for this investment.
Top
 
No. 2
from rnattorney
Old Jul 10, 2009, 08:20 AM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
Thank you so much! That gave me a great foundation to start with! Where are you from, and what school are you going to?
Top
 
No. 3
from Sheri FNP-C
Old Jul 10, 2009, 10:01 AM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
I used 2 methods to find my preceptors. I utilized my co-workers (and physicians I see at work). If you spread the word that you need a preceptor I bet people you work with will have some ideas for you. I also went to the nurse practitioner association meetings to network.

I don't think the evening/weekends will be a problem. Most family practices and pediatricians in my area are open evenings and/or weekends. I had a hard time finding sites that were not open at those times.

I also sent out blanket letters/emails and got ZERO replies!

Good luck!
Top
 
No. 4
from traumaRUs
Old Jul 10, 2009, 10:04 AM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
I live near Peoria, IL and am actually an adult health CNS going back for a peds/family CNS. If you live in IL, let me know and I might be able to help you out.
Top
 
No. 5
from MissDoodaw
Old Jul 10, 2009, 11:29 AM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
I called physicians from the yellow pages -kept records and kept calling -ask to speak with the office manager. Wouldn't you know I am now precepting w/ Dr. Z.
Top
 
No. 6
from rnattorney
Old Jul 10, 2009, 04:01 PM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
That is to funny Dr. Z? How did you ask or explain what was needed? Sell yourself?

Thanks.

Michele
Top
 
No. 7
from MissDoodaw
Old Jul 10, 2009, 07:21 PM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
I asked to speak with the office manager. Told them I was A FNP student and wondering if the physician/NP would agree to precept me 1 day a week/ 2 days a week for such and such time period. IThey would usually say the dr doesn't do this or I'll ask -call back in a few days. So I just keptcalling back until I got definite answers.
For one clinical I had to sign non-disclosure agreements, for a few others I had to provide resumes -I had no problem with any of this and have some wonderful preceptors now. I graduate in the begining of August! I am doing clinicals at two different places -in case one turned out to be a dud -but they both are great!
Good Luck!
Top
 
No. 8
from Softballmama
Old Jul 10, 2009, 07:56 PM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
I would definitely try and find some other sites, also, since those clinics basically see episodic, uncomplicated problems. Since you are going for your FNP, you will really need to also find sites that involve primary care where you will do a lot of preventative medicine as well as seeing chronic-type problems such as diabetes, HTN, etc. Also, consider pediatric clinics and ob/gyn clinics since you will need to have a fair amount of hours in both. The certification boards (such as ANCC) are really starting to crack down on this to ensure that FNPs have the appropriate training.

Best of luck to you as you start school!
Top
 
No. 9
from Christen, RN
Old Jul 11, 2009, 01:36 AM

Default Re: Advice on how to locate preceptors for NP clinics
Preceptors in my city are in high demand and short supply - we have about 3 or 4 nursing schools (ADN and BSN), two master's-level nursing schools, one PA school, one medical school, and a teaching hospital! All this in a city of < 250,000!

My trick - network, network, network! I asked anyone who would listen to me and found my preceptor (I knew a guy who knew a guy who asked this guy ). Good luck!
Top
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
110 members
1,503 guests
1,613

Nursing News

0

Possible breakthrough regarding MS
29

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...
7

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts
4

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't
2

Air Force RN Force RN Found Not Guilty
12

Hospital Falters as Refuge for Illegal Immigrants
6

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...
38

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?
3

An outlook in California?
8

Australian surgeons successfully separate conjoined twins


Nursing Articles

1

Society Needs Care Too
12

Why am I doing this, anyway?
2

Nurse Heal Thyself
9

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.
17

I made it through
11

An angel's gaze
14

A Sister Never Forgets
16

Ruby's Marbles
37

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?
14

My Little Old Jedi
20

I love this job......
23

"I hear voices"
19

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...
24

Error and Attitude
10

It's Just a Shower


Does allnurses.com make you a better nurse?


Sponsored Links

Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address:

Available Topics (tags)


Search By Tag:

New To Site
Need Help
Quick Links

Copyright © 1996-2009, allnurses.com. All rights reserved.  allnurses.com, Inc.
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:44 AM.