Finding Preceptors

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I was looking through a search on here and a lot of articles are from before I even graduated high school. I have a year before I need to find a preceptor but I am already going through different clinics and physician offices and making a list. I haven't called any yet and I will wait till probably Feb. to start calling for the Fall semester. I did see one student from my school have a preceptor request on the blog and I am tempted to email her for any advice.

I also joined two state level NP associations and one has a list of potential preceptors and the other one allows you to post on their blog. I am thinking of joining a third one too. Is there any national organizations that offer preceptor lists or a way to request a preceptor? I did see a previous post as using the AANP site as a way to find NPs to cold call.

I am also preparing to work primarily weekends in order to try and get my hours in during the week. I may end up staying with family or shelling out for a sketchy hotel for a few days at a time if I have to drive 2 or 3 hours away.

I am going to ask if Minute Clinics are accepted for at least one semester. I know they are a potential source. ER is one that I may have a better chance of finding a preceptor but I probably am not allowed to use ER as it is a primary care program.

I also wrote down potential community health clinics too. I'd love to see if Planned Parenthood would let me do a semester there because I support their cause but the school may object.

Does anyone know if the VA will accept student NPs? I know we have several major VA hospitals and clinics near where I live.

I did do a search to see if there are preceptor head hunters but the reviews on Allnurses suggested they are basically like whitepages.com and offer outdated info.

Also, for those who have cold called, who do you talk to? Leave a message for the office manager, ask to leave a message for a provider, or just leave a message with the receptionist? Is writing letters or emails better if they provide one? I imagine I would get 60% no answers 35% rejections, and probably a low number of yes for preceptors.

[nursemel326]

Trying to find preceptors was one of the most stressful things about grad school. I eventually set up all my rotations through personal contacts. For example, two NP friends contacted their old preceptors and I set up my family and peds rotations that way. I contacted a pharmacist friend who has close relationships with several women's health providers and found a WH preceptor that way. After telling my nurse manager I was having difficulty finding an internal med preceptor (I was a night-shifter and the IM docs rounded during the day), she started asking around and found one to agree to precept me. This didn't all happen overnight but maybe over a period of 2-4 months. My program required us to arrange preceptors a year in advance.

I did tons of cold calling and left messages for dozens of office managers. Some offices even have "student coordinators" as they get so bombarded with requests. Many requests went unanswered. Some called back and said they didn't take students. Some said they were booked with students for the next 1-2 years (!!). In the end, personal and professional contacts were the only way I found preceptors. Some providers may say no when asked by their office manager but yes to a friend that calls for a favor. I have already forwarded the favor to a couple friends currently in school. Spread the word that you're looking and don't be shy about asking! Good luck!

[ICURN7]

... and something to add...yes, the VA takes students but you have to start way ahead of time, don't wait till february, start now and you'll be glad you did.

For me, i started at least a year ahead and it paid off. If you wait, until next year, the places you are looking at may have been filled. Some of the responses i received was that they were booked for the present year and upcoming year. So, it does not hurt to book ahead. Just keep in touch with the preceptor and remind again and again...lol And another thing i did was to have at least two back-ups if you can because you may be dissapointed at the last minute. I was dissapointed by two of my preceptors, but it did not bother me because i had back-ups.

I used to just show up in the clinic or places i was looking at and ask to speak with the office manager. Some of those receptionist just tells you outrightly that they are fully booked, just because of the enormous amount of calls and enquiries they get.If calling, i prefer to leave a voice message for the manager if they are out of the voice. Some calls back, some don't. Depending on the office setting, the office managers are the ones who handles the clinical rotation. some places, i requested to see the MD and personally ask them. Ask when the doctor is usually in the office and go around that time or towards closing time. Just sit down and wait..lol..The MDs i knew, i asked them when they rounded in the hospital. The clinics closer to home that i really wanted and did not know the MDs, i would wait and ask them. Again, start early!

Goodluck!

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

Yes, starting early is the best thing. I've been trying to get a women's health preceptor since December and my rotation is going to start this coming december. I still haven't found one. But, remain professional. Make a portfolio with your resume, cover letter, and maybe get some inexpensive business cards (vista print) to help. I go to monthly advanced practice nurse dinners to network and have made a few contacts (one worked out for my peds rotation!)

Any WH or midwife in coastal South Carolina?