I am starting a FNP distance learning program the fall of 2009. I am going to try and work full time, and take the program full or part time. I will begin clinicals on 1/2009. I am told that I should start looking for a preceptor right away. I am hoping to find a NP or MD/DO in Denver, CO that works at least one late afternoon and an occasional Saturday. So that I can keep my full time job and attempt to do clinicals after work and on the weekends.
Therefore, I am thinking I should seek contacts with Urgent Care Centers or even a Walgreens center type of clinics. However, how would I approach such an individual without knowing them. Should I write a letter, show up at the clinic, or what?
I am really excited about starting school, but I must retain my job, and I know that if I could get a preceptor in such a setting it would work.
Thank you! Or is anyone a NP in Colorado that might be interested or you know of anyone?
I spoke with physicians's I knew from the hospital I worked at, but I also wanted to spend time with NP's so I checked out the state NP association and hospital and practice websites and sent out a coverletter and my cv to perspective preceptors. I never had to make a phone call. I was fortunate that all the preceptors alled back and were happy to do it. Networking, searching, and professionalism goes a long ways. I know that some schools won't let you do clinical where you work and especially in FNP programs there is a required number of hours for each speciality, ie peds, family, internal medicine and OB. I agree a primary care clinical is the best for health assessment. ED or urgent care is focused exams. You'll get this in primary care, but you'll get the physical as well.
This issue is one of my main concerns in pursuing my fnp. I'll probably do as suggested in this thread, especially joining/hitting up the state and local nursing/apn organizations in my area.
I still have the suspicion that 100% online classwork + no set preceptorship program = way for programs to maximize the number of students in the program. However, these two factors seem to be the way of the future in np education (including the dnp), so I guess I am in the minority in my unease with this model.
Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.
When I did the Advanced Health Assessment, two places I was able to go through (that I haven't seen mentioned here) were the dialysis clinic (mainly because I worked there, but still, it was a tremendous learning experience!) and the local Planned Parenthood clinic.
The nephrologists let me shadow them in their hospital rounds, as well as office care. It was amazing.
Got a lot of good basic physical assessment stuff as well as the usual sexual health things they deal with, at the PP clinic.
For my peds hours, I dropped by one of the big peds practices here with a nice cover letter and copies of my licensure, resume and certifications. Ended up with 2 tremendous pediatric ARNP's who got me over my fear of little people.
There are definitely options. Good luck. Adv Health Assessment and pathophys have been the two most helpful classes thusfar, to me.
DaisyRN, ACNP
383 Posts
http://www.npfinder.com is another resource...