Seeking a preceptor

[chibuike1]

Hello everyone. My name is Ebby and I am looking for a preceptor for the FNP program at UT in Dallas, Tx. I have called several private practices and health centers in search of a preceptor with no success. Does any have any suggestions on how to find a preceptor?

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Now see my mom a CNM and ONGYN NP, said if somebody came to her office...she wouldn't have any time for them. She hates the idea of students just showing up when she has patients to see and won't give up time to see the student and thus just saying "no" would be her response just to get the student gone.[/quote']

Would she rather people spam her personal Facebook? Or call her house at night?

If a student comes to our office inquiring the practice manager or office manager will chat with them (provided they have a free few moments) and take their information/request and pass it along to put providers.

We actually don't take students this way (as we only take students from two established programs), but I will call them and suggest some local offices that do.

The state NP association is the best way in my opinion. If I didn't have students scheduled I would take one from there first, or one of the RNs at my hospital.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Would she rather people spam her personal Facebook? Or call her house at night? If a student comes to our office inquiring the practice manager or office manager will chat with them (provided they have a free few moments) and take their information/request and pass it along to put providers. We actually don't take students this way (as we only take students from two established programs) but I will call them and suggest some local offices that do. The state NP association is the best way in my opinion. If I didn't have students scheduled I would take one from there first, or one of the RNs at my hospital.[/quote']

Absolutely not. She actually doesn't even check her Facebook and if you called her home...she wouldn't consider you either. She said she would respond to a letter and that's about it.

But so many don't bother to respond. I get people are busy but once upon a time these NPs were students too and needed preceptors. It's a shame so many won't help out.

My school requires is to find our own. I've contacted about 20 NPs and no luck. Sad but I'm starting to not care just because I've invested so many hours...and nothing. I'm at a reputable university in a saturated area.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I can imagine it is very difficult right now; it sounds like you are doing everything right. One contact can help you break through.

My office has three NPs and we receive several phone calls a days from not only students but school clinical directors and preceptor head-hunters. Sadly, these people are no loner interested in quality preceptors and placements they just want "anything" as one local school director said to me last week.

There are more students than quality preceptors right now, and instead of doing the right thing and reducing the number of students capped to available preceptors they admit the same amounts then make the students do the work.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

I can imagine it is very difficult right now; it sounds like you are doing everything right. One contact can help you break through. My office has three NPs and we receive several phone calls a days from not only students but school clinical directors and preceptor head-hunters. Sadly these people are no loner interested in quality preceptors and placements they just want "anything" as one local school director said to me last week. There are more students than quality preceptors right now, and instead of doing the right thing and reducing the number of students capped to available preceptors they admit the same amounts then make the students do the work.[/quote']

It's all so ridiculous. My mom actually offered to precept a student from the school I go to (different track). They won't accept her as a preceptor because she isn't board certified. She became an NP before board certification was an issue and now...can't be board certified because of the rules of some arbitrary group doing that particular certification. But another NP in the group who had my mom cleaning up her messes...she can precept. Aren't the students lucky?

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Most quality, experienced preceptors have perennial relationships with specific programs; they are not happened upon by desperate students. It's scary that programs are essentially giving up control of the (one of the) most important part(s) of NP education.