What's the best way to find a preceptor?

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What is the best way to find a clinical preceptor for FNP program other than just opening up the phone book and calling one after another? I am in first semester of FNP program through a distance education program. So far, making my own arrangements for a preceptor has been the main obstacle. I am in the neighborhood of Travis AFB, Ca.

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

HI!

I hate to be a drip but the ONLY way that I found a preceptor was by "shanks mare" or going door-to-door and knocking on the area hospital's administration door. I wrote a letter of introduction explaining the type of program I was in and what exactly I was looking for/needed. Oh, I was attending California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and since I am located in New York City I was considered an "out-of-state" student so I had a harder time finding a preceptor (this was for my BSN).

I am now at SUNY at Stony Brook, New York, FNP.

Good Luck, sigh.

athena

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I had no trouble finding a preceptor, went with an urgent care facility (locally owned). Classmates wanting a hospital/hospital associated doctors clinics had problems. The more formal the facility, the more red tape and difficulty it seems. Hope that helps.

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1. Check out the local county subsidized clinics. This would probably be the best as not only do they have family medicine and other specialties, but they are more than likely dialed in with the Davis FP residency program. Cutting edge type training in your own backyard.

2. Get a list from UC Davis Family Practice Residency program where they send their FP residents to. Try to call the out-patient based clinics in the rural areas.

3. Check out the out-patient clinics associated with South Sac. Kaiser. It's a pain in the ass to get a contract with Kaiser, but it's definitely doable.

4. Check out the local VA hospitals and clinics. Since they are inclusive of NP's within their standardized occupational titles, they should be happy to take you. I think they actually have a chartered mandate that calls for them to accept students if they have supported occupational titles. I could be wrong though. Again, kind of a pain to negotiate a contract, but definitely doable.

5. Check out that group that contracts with state correctional facilities. I think they go by California Forensic Medical Group. I think they provide contract services for Folsom and Vacaville. Let them know you are interested in working there possibly if they would dial you in with an internship setting. Let them know that your internship needs to be in family practice, so they don't schedule all your time with the boys. If you choose this route, pay particular attention to the "hostage" policies and provisions for personal safety.

6. Check out rural docs offices over in Auburn, Rio Vista, ect. Look for underserved areas. Just make sure they'll have enough contracts across the life-cycle. You may have to augment with family planning or possibly one of the ob/gyn residents with Davis may help you get those contacts.

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I found this site last night while furiously searching the internet in hopes of finding a preceptor in Texas. I am having great difficulty. I am in an online FNP Program - the very 1st FNP in the US and no one has ever heard of the school so they are skeptical about helping me (I have had 2 turn me down and 6 that will not even call me back). I will be finished with my coursework in 6 weeks and it is becoming frustrating. Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am willing to drive to Austin, San Antonio, Houston, or Corpus Christi, TX (I am 2 hours from each).

I only need an FNP - not pedi or women's health.

Thank you!!!!

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I found this site last night while furiously searching the internet in hopes of finding a preceptor in Texas. I am having great difficulty. I am in an online FNP Program - the very 1st FNP in the US and no one has ever heard of the school so they are skeptical about helping me (I have had 2 turn me down and 6 that will not even call me back). I will be finished with my coursework in 6 weeks and it is becoming frustrating. Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am willing to drive to Austin, San Antonio, Houston, or Corpus Christi, TX (I am 2 hours from each).

I only need an FNP - not pedi or women's health.

Thank you!!!!

Just curious. What school are you in? I know an FNP in Austin but she is also doing acupuncture school so might be too busy. Also check out MDs if you can't find an FNP. Might also check out the Indian Health Services as I am doing.

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The school is Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing in Kentucky. They are fully accredited and it is a wonderful program (I obtained my BSN online and was over half way complete with my MSN when I found Frontier). You actually go to the school for 7 days at the start of your program and then again for 15 days before starting clinical.

You can see the problem living in Texas. It was mostly a midwifery program and as proof if you researched where the majority of midwives are - they are in the north-east region. The website is http://www.midwives.org

I can only use an MD for 20% of my clinical so that is out (unfortunately) at this point. Thank you for the advise - let me know if you talk to your friend.

I am looking for an FNP for at least 2-3 days a week (NOT 5 days)

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I can only use an MD for 20% of my clinical )

I talked with a local Regional Clinical Coordinator from Frontier last week, and I found out the same. I understand the rationale that they want your preceptor/mentor to be an FNP, but it sure eliminates many prospects.

HEY ZENMAN--- IS it true that UAB will accept MD or FNP as preceptor? Are there any "rules" related to this after you enroll, like only a certain percentage can be with an MD? I talked with U.A.B. a couple of weeks ago, and they appear to me more flexible in not only who can be the preceptor (MD or FNP), and they appear to be more flexible with the type of setting (e.g. can include fast track service within Emergency Department).

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

I would also suggest joining the local NP organization and actually going to the meetings. You will meet a lot of people this way.

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Here's an interesting article related to the subject. Kind of alarming:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/issues/97march.htm

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

got several ideas for you!

1. contact nncc | national nursing centers consortium | nursing centers see if any in your area.

2. np central has lists of nps to network with by state:

welcome to np central!

3. contact local state health department or community health center http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/

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HEY ZENMAN--- IS it true that UAB will accept MD or FNP as preceptor? Are there any "rules" related to this after you enroll, like only a certain percentage can be with an MD? I talked with U.A.B. a couple of weeks ago, and they appear to me more flexible in not only who can be the preceptor (MD or FNP), and they appear to be more flexible with the type of setting (e.g. can include fast track service within Emergency Department).

Yes, it can be MD or NP. I also got permission to use a NP or MD in any country as long as they trained in the USA and were board certified. You can go to the UAB site and download the forms for preceptorship for info. They are even working on getting a contract with the Indian Health Services. I'm surprised no one else at the school has thought about IHS for preceptors as the IHS are in a lot of states.

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