Advice for an FNP student please!

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I'm an FNP student and having a tough time finding a preceptor. I realize this is far from a novel concept. It's the battle cry of all NP students. It's difficult to even communicate with NP's or other providers, as all questions about clinical experiences are referred to practice managers, or so that has been the case in my experience. My school does not release the names of past students who are no NP's and does not reveal much of anything. They are in no way helpful. I mention this only to deflect comments about asking the school. Those of us who have not been able to secure clinical experiences have begged our clinical coordinator for help. None given. That position seems to be vacant and filled with a new person at least once per year. I'm guessing clinical coordinator is more of an admin assistant at least at UT Arlington.

What I want to know is, how can I secure a preceptor? Seems too simple of a question, but realistically, if what I have been doing was working, I would have one, right? Every NP in my area was a student once. They have to know how tough it is to find a preceptor and how vitally important. What would cause a provider to to say yes? I have actually had NP's say yes, and then been told by practice managers that they should not have agreed to precept, and it is not their decision! Door slammed. I have run across some hostile practice managers who seem angry that I am even asking, and those were just inquiry emails! There seems to be a few things working against NP students..the schools not providing enough support and information, NP's and other providers who are impossible to contact, practice managers who seem dead set against students, and more. I've actually had medical directors try to help me by asking their NP's and PA's to precept, and they tell them they won't! There are so many job opportunities for NP's. My inbox is flooded by recruiters, but I won't be an FNP if I can't get the clinical hours required. It's such an odd and unfortunate situation. Advice from actual graduates who have managed to find preceptors and who now are in a position to be preceptors please!

Jules A, MSN

8,864 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I always recommend having your own support system of professional contacts that will result in hand picked, high quality preceptors.

I only precept students I know, and like, or someone who comes by referral of a colleague I owe a favor. There is a great benefit in choosing your own preceptor. The style and competence of the new graduate mimics their preceptor so for me it was crucial I was taught by someone I knew was top in the field. Both of my NP schools provided us with preceptors but I picked my own. Call your past coworkers, MDs and NPs, ask your peers if they have worked with any good MDs or NPs in a specialty where you would like to work and will give you an introduction. Your NP clinical experience can and, imo, should be an extended job intrview and hopefully will result in a job offer which will allow you to start your career where you are liked, know the team, are comfortable with the culture and have some familiarity with the EMR etc.

This isn't going to help you get a preceptor but I can offer some possible explanations as to why we aren't lining up to welcome total strangers into our already slammed schedule. The number of NPs graduating now is astronomical. I know you think the jobs are limitless but that is no longer the case. The quality of NP students at least in my specialty has been declining and the word is out. A majority of them now have no actual psych experience, some have zero nursing experience and no one I know has the time or inclination to take a student from zero to ready to diagnose and prescribe in a few semesters. It isn't practical nor do we want our name associated by someone who isn't going to be a competent practitioner.

WVFNP, MSN, APRN

1 Article; 31 Posts

Specializes in Family Practice, ER, Tele, ICU.

I honestly had the best luck with speaking to practice managers in person... Just a thought

gelli.25

181 Posts

Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

Securing preceptors is such a difficult task. I've been very fortunate at the last minute by finding preceptors. For my first semester, I asked my PCP -which she agreed. Ask your PCP if she/he is willing to precept you as a student. However, when I followed up with her, she was unable to. I had asked my school for help - I would very lucky to have had the assistance.

I would also email providers at my workplace, which was a fail. Many would ignore, however, many would respond - but politely decline. I've had one success through emailing multiple providers directly. I would also email managers - but that got me no where.

I also went up to sites and handed my resume and cover letter - but nothing. I would get hopeless at times.

I looked on my local NP organization's website, and even those fail to help realistically. Attending meetings face to face would probably be more helpful. But thankfully, I received a notification of a new NP preceptor on my local site that was willing to help students. I quickly emailed her and got nothing. I went up to her workplace and handed the front desk my cover letter, resume, student handbook et cetera. I did that on a Friday. Heard nothing Saturday. Sunday she responded and agreed to precept me.

I also used "who I know." I work with a PA and she's a lead PA in her department. She asked her PA colleagues and I was able to get a yes from someone. I also used Facebook's NP organizations, local and state organizations - and asked on there.

This definitely needs to change. I know providers get annoyed with the countless emails and contacts, but what else am I to do if I want to graduate on time?! I hate this is how us students have to obtain preceptors; there needs to be a more standardized process with this. Why is it that NP students have to obtain there own preceptors, whereas PA and MD student do not have this problem? The curriculum, in my honest opinion, needs to change as well. I am so sorry you're struggling with this.

Stay hopeful and Good luck!

Specializes in Internal and Family Medicine.

Thank you so much for your honest advice and allowing me some insight into the world of the actual NP. I wish that I had more NP's in my circle, but I have worked in research and medical writing for the last many years. That put me out of the loop somewhat. It sounds like I should highlight the many (20) years experience I have had as an RN, and my certifications. Maybe knowing that I am ACLS, PALS, and a childbirth educator, or that I worked as a periop manager and FA would hint at my ability to be safe and competent in an office situation, even though I am a student and still learning the primary provider role. I absolutely hear you about not wanting to deal with strangers. When I worked in surgery, we had agency nurses come in from time to time and it was rarely more helpful than working alone. I was an agency nurse at one time, so no bias against that role, but it was truly luck of the draw as to who would walk in the door. You've given me a lot to think about. I need to revamp my strategy and go directly to the providers somehow. I'm a student member of national and local NP organizations. Maybe going to meetings and events is better than cold calling these offices.

Thanks!

Specializes in Internal and Family Medicine.

Thanks so much for your reply. I feel heard! You know, I was on the epn network where I am a student member and somehow wandered to the Georgia nurses group. There was a full page article written by an NP there about this very situation, and not only is the article excellent, the comments section was priceless. I will see if I can attach a link on another post. But, it makes mention of exactly what you write about: PA's and MD's having their clinicals assigned for the most part, rather than taking time away from their studies to hit the streets with a resume. One of the NP's who commented suggested that students contact the accreditation agency for the nursing school. She said that the school are obligated to offer assistance if they require clinical, and to do anything less violates the rules that allow them to keep their accreditation. Maybe this also applies to Texas. I have no idea. It does make sense. I have to agree with you on the curriculum too. Thanks for the encouragement. I am getting back out there every day during this time of forced hiatus (because I didn't have a preceptor), with my resume and my forced smile. I hope it doesn't look like a scary clown smile covering desperation!

ms_sgr, BSN, NP

206 Posts

Inbox me your email address and I can send you the list that I have from my school.

Jules A, MSN

8,864 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Joining and attending activities with your state's NP program is an excellent way to meet contacts. Your work pedigree should be a big plus. I'd also shake the sheets with your friends/colleagues in health care. Surely there is someone who works with, knows, is married to, has a neighbor, cousin etc. who is a NP or MD.

Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

My school sets us up with preceptors, however we are free to find our own so long as the school approves them and they are 'allowed' to precept (some organizations do not allow it). I have some specific people in mind that I will be asking -- one is my PCP, because I HIGHLY respect her practice (thus the reason she is my PCP), the other is my kids' pediatrician or his NP --- both who are EXCELLENT and again, people whom I would very much like to model my practice after. That said, there may end up being barriers to them being able/willing to precept me. I plan to network like nobody's business. I work with people who would not function as my preceptors (surgeons, acute care docs/nurses), but I respect them and they certainly have contacts of their own that maybe they'd be willing to share. Maybe think about reaching out to peeps on your LinkedIn?

Best of luck!

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