Attempting to find NP preceptors in Chicago area

Nursing Students NP Students

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

Hello all!

I am beginning the U of Cincinnati AGNP program and looking for a preceptor starting January 2016. Can I get some pointers to initiate my search? I know I want to specialize in Cardiology eventually, so I figured doing two of the three clinical rotations in general health and then my third in Cardiology. Does this sound like a good idea?

Any advise at all would be appreciated! Thank you!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

This is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

Chicago is home to a number of well-regarded Nurse Practitioner education programs, most of which are offered "on site" and include clinical placements as part of the planned curriculum.

I understand that you will be attending a program in another city (on-line or in person?) and will need to find your own preceptorship in the Chicago area. I honestly don't believe that will be an easy task. The institutions that are best suited to providing such experiences are already doing so for the established programs in the area. Other places of employment are not likely as well suited to providing educational supervision and experiences, or simply not interested in doing so. Precepting is a difficult, time consuming task that challenges even those well prepared for it. I don't see many employers willingly taking on this role for anyone other than a current employee or a prospective one.

I believe that the requirement to find one's own preceptorship should be thoroughly investigated prior to enrolling or spending any money on an education program. It would be a deal breaker for me.

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This is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

Chicago is home to a number of well-regarded Nurse Practitioner education programs, most of which are offered "on site" and include clinical placements as part of the planned curriculum.

I understand that you will be attending a program in another city (on-line or in person?) and will need to find your own preceptorship in the Chicago area. I honestly don't believe that will be an easy task. The institutions that are best suited to providing such experiences are already doing so for the established programs in the area. Other places of employment are not likely as well suited to providing educational supervision and experiences, or simply not interested in doing so. Precepting is a difficult, time consuming task that challenges even those well prepared for it. I don't see many employers willingly taking on this role for anyone other than a current employee or a prospective one.

I believe that the requirement to find one's own preceptorship should be thoroughly investigated prior to enrolling or spending any money on an education program. It would be a deal breaker for me.

Unfortunately there are VERY FEW programs that offer up preceptors whether it be online or even onsite.

I have read stories where student have to sit out a semester or two because of it.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

You are so right. This preceptor situation is the best kept secret in NP education. I will say no more except where is the nursing leadership in this very serious matter? As usual nowhere to be found.

You have nailed it.

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