Has there been any changes lately when it comes to finding your own preceptors for NP school? Is it easier now? More difficult? No change?
I was accepted into a distance ed PMHNP program (with campus visits) and will start the summer semester in a couple of weeks. However, they do NOT arrange preceptors and I have only encountered resistance thus far, even with placement sites that have contracts with my school. I don't want to be bothered with this once school starts and I get into the bulk of my studies. I should have done my research, so it's my fault.
I also applied to a traditional school which does work with their students to arrange preceptors. I haven't received notification of acceptance or rejection yet. If I'm accepted, I might withdraw from the distance ed program to save me some headache. This is why I want to know if there are any changes when it comes to finding preceptors.
I don't think there is an overwhelming sentiment that all NP programs are so lacking that no one wants to work with their students. Right now there are so many students who need precepting and many who imo seem rather ill prepared to begin this journey. Speaking only for myself I'm not overly concerned with the school but more with the individual student. Personally I think the school itself influenced my practice in a very minimal way. For me it was more about my strong psych background and even more so my excellent preceptors.
To me most of the lack of preceptors is a problem for those who have not worked in the field. Seriously what RN who has worked in this field for any length of time doesn't have a few Docs or NPs they can beg a favor from to precept? One of my best experiences was a ED doc who I was introduced to from a Pediatrician I had worked with for years.
As for shadowing I would think any exposure and professional contacts one can make is always a positive. I'm willing to do a shadow shift or few hours with anyone because I love those who have the insight to want more information and a first hand feel for psych. If there was a student I wasn't so hot on precepting but they came for a shadow day and I thought they had decent nurse experience and seemed to have an affinity for psych I might consider it. Although saying "never" probably isn't a good idea lets just say at this point there is no way I would consider precepting a NP student who has not worked as a nurse no matter who was asking me.
That's fair. I understand your position better now. I actually agree, I personally feel that it's important to have psych experience as a RN or some sort of psych background (even if it's a min required number of shadowing hours) to even apply to a MHPNP program.
This does tie in with the programs though. I think they need to do a better job at screening and evaluating anyone in a position to write prescriptions. I feel that there should be better shadowing and preceptor programs to prepare competent advance practice nurses (and PA's).
This is why I'm putting in a little extra time to do this the right way and not the fast way.
I don't think there is an overwhelming sentiment that all NP programs are so lacking that no one wants to work with their students. Right now there are so many students who need precepting and many who imo seem rather ill prepared to begin this journey. Speaking only for myself I'm not overly concerned with the school but more with the individual student. Personally I think the school itself influenced my practice in a very minimal way. For me it was more about my strong psych background and even more so my excellent preceptors.
To me most of the lack of preceptors is a problem for those who have not worked in the field. Seriously what RN who has worked in this field for any length of time doesn't have a few Docs or NPs they can beg a favor from to precept? One of my best experiences was a ED doc who I was introduced to from a Pediatrician I had worked with for years.
As for shadowing I would think any exposure and professional contacts one can make is always a positive. I'm willing to do a shadow shift or few hours with anyone because I love those who have the insight to want more information and a first hand feel for psych. If there was a student I wasn't so hot on precepting but they came for a shadow day and I thought they had decent nurse experience and seemed to have an affinity for psych I might consider it. Although saying "never" probably isn't a good idea lets just say at this point there is no way I would consider precepting a NP student who has not worked as a nurse no matter who was asking me.
Oh, come on. You're preaching about RN experience for this, too? I actually have years of inpatient psych experience and still work as an inpatient psych nurse. I know many MDs and I tried networking but there are other variables at play. My school needs to have a contract with any facility I do my preceptorship at; if there is no contract, it can take 6 months to a year to establish one. I wouldn't be here if I didn't try my immediate resources first. It's okay to take a stand about something you feel passionately about, but can you please also look at things more objectively.
Oh, come on. You're preaching about RN experience for this, too? I actually have years of inpatient psych experience and still work as an inpatient psych nurse. I know many MDs and I tried networking but there are other variables at play. My school needs to have a contract with any facility I do my preceptorship at; if there is no contract, it can take 6 months to a year to establish one. I wouldn't be here if I didn't try my immediate resources first. It's okay to take a stand about something you feel passionately about, but can you please also look at things more objectively.
Actually I guess yes I'm "preaching RN experience" for everything. I was simply stating that most cases I hear about don't have their own contacts because they haven't worked as a nurse. Sorry if you didn't like my suggestion or your contacts weren't able to help you. It was only a suggestion and how I did my clinical rotations. If your school takes a while to secure contracts for your chosen preceptors I would have worked that out ahead of time. My school only took a few weeks again sorry about that too.
And fwiw although you are the OP this was actually was in response to another member's question and going back and reading your original post it sounds like you did have options at facilities with contracts but couldn't find a preceptor.
Remember, for the majority of the practicing NPs posting on this thread this is a professional issue not a personal one. At this time, the issue is personal to you and, as such, you are responding in a defensive way: you don't need to, no one is singling you or your program out. FWIW, I have several colleagues that are Walden grads who are excellent NPs and one who is positioned pretty strongly in the local NP leadership.
Your thoughts on this issue may change once you finish your didactic and clinical education and enter practice for yourself. No one likes the "walk in my shoes" argument, but being a provider is a much different role from being an RN or an EMT and once you start your clinical experience and practice you may develop a better understanding of that.
While it is noble that you want to take on the most unprepared students so you have the best chance of preparing them for practice, it if a difficult notion to maintain. For better or worse, personally and professionally, I review resumes and take the students I think will be the best fit for me and my practice as well as have the demonstrated academic aptitude to practice safely and professionally. I can take three of these students or one unprepared student, so I feel that balances my "good to the profession".
I believe I will continue to think your simply another case of a nurse who wishes to close the gate behind him, in order to both protect his self inflated position and attempt to make others feel less worthy. I would question any other motives behind your actions based on your statements. You seem to take a bit of joy in both pontificating on this issue as one who is above it and holds some very limited power over students. Frankly it comes off as bullying behavior and I'm sure you will continue to find others taking it personally if you continue.
I went into my NP program with 6 years RN experience and I went to a state school that I did not know did not find preceptors for us until my orientation day. At first I thought it would be easy because I was already a nurse and I figured I could use my connections. However it was easy at all because all of my contacts are in acute care where I've spent most of my nursing career and I was in a primary care program. I needed preceptors who worked in primary care. The minute anyone submitted a preceptor that looked like they were too specialized or doing inpatient care, the preceptor was not approved by our advisors. My school had a list of places and providers that precepted students in the past, but a lot of times that list was not very helpful in that it just had names and addresses with no contact info. So I really struggled in finding suitable and available preceptors and almost quit my program because of it. I went thru my contacts and ultimately found my first np preceptor, and then I asked my previous doctor if he precept me. That was the most beneficial. The other problem I ran into was I had a person who was willing to precept me, but going thru the red tape of getting into the organization and reaching the nurse educator who was responsible for processing student NP rotations, I did not end up with the preceptor until my last of 4 semester when I finally was able to reach the educator on the phone and told her I knew the NP personally and he had been looking for my paperwork to join him. There is an advantage to finding your own preceptors because you can tailor you training to your interests, but it's a BIG hassle to do with very little to no help from the school to which you're paying tuition.
Sorry, didn't see this until now. Stony Brook. It's in NY.
I went to Stony Brook for the Adult-Gero NP program, but back to your basic question, I have met a lot of NPs who said to me their programs made them find their own preceptors and many were in onsite programs. I know schools like Hunter, NYU, Pace and Columbia will place your with preceptors but you have the option of finding your own.
I went into my NP program with 6 years RN experience and I went to a state school that I did not know did not find preceptors for us until my orientation day. At first I thought it would be easy because I was already a nurse and I figured I could use my connections. However it was easy at all because all of my contacts are in acute care where I've spent most of my nursing career and I was in a primary care program. I needed preceptors who worked in primary care. The minute anyone submitted a preceptor that looked like they were too specialized or doing inpatient care, the preceptor was not approved by our advisors. My school had a list of places and providers that precepted students in the past, but a lot of times that list was not very helpful in that it just had names and addresses with no contact info. So I really struggled in finding suitable and available preceptors and almost quit my program because of it. I went thru my contacts and ultimately found my first np preceptor, and then I asked my previous doctor if he precept me. That was the most beneficial. The other problem I ran into was I had a person who was willing to precept me, but going thru the red tape of getting into the organization and reaching the nurse educator who was responsible for processing student NP rotations, I did not end up with the preceptor until my last of 4 semester when I finally was able to reach the educator on the phone and told her I knew the NP personally and he had been looking for my paperwork to join him. There is an advantage to finding your own preceptors because you can tailor you training to your interests, but it's a BIG hassle to do with very little to no help from the school to which you're paying tuition.
It sounds like even though a pita you were able to use your contacts to secure preceptors. Not ideal but kudos for being persistent and getting it done.
I believe I will continue to think your simply another case of a nurse who wishes to close the gate behind him, in order to both protect his self inflated position and attempt to make others feel less worthy. I would question any other motives behind your actions based on your statements. You seem to take a bit of joy in both pontificating on this issue as one who is above it and holds some very limited power over students. Frankly it comes off as bullying behavior and I'm sure you will continue to find others taking it personally if you continue.
Trust me that BostonFNP and I have gone a few rounds and agreed to disagree more than a few times in the past but this is rather defensive and unfair. From what I have read BostonFNP does in fact support new NPs coming into our field. I can feel your frustration but hopefully in person you aren't coming off like this or it will continue to be difficult to find someone willing to help you.
Although as I have said I am particular about who I am willing to precept I usually do 1-2 psych NP students a year not including up to 3 FNP students who I host for a few shifts of clinical hours as part of their program. I also do shadow experiences for anyone interested in spending a day seeing what I do. I work for 2 local Universities as a clinical instructor and am still involved with one of my ala maters. Two of my previous undergraduate nursing students are presently in a psych-NP program, one in a FNP program and not only did I write letters of recommendation for their admissions I also have precepted them, told them which facilities pay well, which are good to work for. I have set up employment interviews for 6 NPs 4 who were eventually hired. I have written dozens of letters for the nurses I work with who are applying to graduate school and encourage everyone from housekeeping to techs to continue going to school if they seem to have an affinity for patient care.
Just because we are particular about who we precept and have offered suggestions that aren't helpful in your case doesn't mean we are bullies or trying to stifle other's growth. I had far too many generous NPs, Physicians and Administrators help me on the way not to give back when I am comfortable with the situation.
I'm going for the Psych NP program. But... I'm waiting to hear back from a traditional program because they assign preceptors.
Also, I too did not know until orientation that I would have to find my own preceptors. I should have done my research.
I don't remember seeing that tidbit of info anywhere when I applied. Even now, on the website it has a statement that says they can't guarantee availability of preceptor, but does not say they don't help you secure them. The wording is very misleading.
PhillyRNtoBe
137 Posts
That's fair. I understand your position better now. I actually agree, I personally feel that it's important to have psych experience as a RN or some sort of psych background (even if it's a min required number of shadowing hours) to even apply to a MHPNP program.
This does tie in with the programs though. I think they need to do a better job at screening and evaluating anyone in a position to write prescriptions. I feel that there should be better shadowing and preceptor programs to prepare competent advance practice nurses (and PA's).
This is why I'm putting in a little extra time to do this the right way and not the fast way.