Anyone at Indiana State's distance FNP program?

utahfnp · Aug 22, 2008

You have to spend about 2 days a week in clinical. Depending on your schedule you may be able to work 3 12 hour shifts and then the other 2 days, do clinical. I think this would be very difficult with kids (I have three) though. I spent 2 days in clinical then about 20 hours a week working while doing the program. I felt like I couldn't have done more than this with my family. I spent all day long working then after kids went to bed, I did homework from 8:30-11:00pm every night.

Longhorngirl · Oct 12, 2008

I have applied to ISU's FNP program for spring 2009 and I just came across this thread. Lisa - I am VERY anxious and curious. How is it going????? :heartbeat

utahfnp · Oct 13, 2008

I have loved the program. You have to be very self motivated and seek out additional learning opportunities to gain suturing skills, etc. You also need to find your own preceptors so start early.

Longhorngirl · Oct 14, 2008

Great! Thanks so much. I get the feeling that its a good program, but it helps to hear it from someone who's actually in the program. I've heard others say to "start early" looking for a preceptor - but how early is early? i.e., how far in advance would you start for the spring semester?

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Oct 16, 2008

Great! Thanks so much. I get the feeling that its a good program, but it helps to hear it from someone who's actually in the program. I've heard others say to "start early" looking for a preceptor - but how early is early? i.e., how far in advance would you start for the spring semester?

I strongly recommend having a primary and backup preceptor. You can't be too cautious. For Spring term, I would start right about now. Depending on the organization structure it could take days to months of the clinic and ISU to get a contract worked out.

Longhorngirl · Oct 16, 2008

I strongly recommend having a primary and backup preceptor. You can't be too cautious. For Spring term, I would start right about now. Depending on the organization structure it could take days to months of the clinic and ISU to get a contract worked out.

Thanks for the info - I didn't realize it was so involved. Now I see why its so difficult to find a preceptor!

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Oct 16, 2008

Thanks for the info - I didn't realize it was so involved. Now I see why its so difficult to find a preceptor!

Tons of politics involved, not to mention personalities--i.e. clinical faculty at ISU, preceptor in your home community and the necessary requirements thereof, agency where your preceptor works, thought patterns of biz related people (or person) that governs practice flow (e.g. no money in it to have students=counterproductive to practice versus--make preceptor and agency available=opportunity to have another soon-to-be NP + opportunity to work with student in context of future employee=win-win-win situation for practice (another live body=more productivity)+ preceptor (they can actually get time off when you get your ticket and come to work for the agency)+ student (meets educational objectives).

Unfortunately, many potential preceptors and biz related people have little vision as to the future--that is to say, they view students in the context of the here and now which amounts to a liablity in time and exposure. The ones that can see beyond this are the ones that turn out to be willing, ready and capable of excepting students.

Also, one more point. When it comes down to the contract portion of signing, become the errand person. That is to say, do not trust the mail; do not trust faxes; do not trust electronic transmission. Have the paperwork for the agency and preceptor sent directly to you. Hand deliver in triplicet form (you keep a copy and bring two copies with you). Make an appointment for a signature to go on the dotted line. Then, give them their copy and you take a copy. Make a copy of the orignial, and send via certified return receipt to your clinical faculty or the person charged with contracts. Then electonically scan and emal. Then fax to your clinical faculty. At that point none in the position of point of contact can ever deny reciept.

Unfortunately, I've learned this little tid bit from experience.

Again, have your preceptor lined up at least 3 months before you start=contract is done deal. Maintain close communication with your preceptor once per month so they still no you are alive and how close you are to starting. Why? Imagine this. You call and say "Howdy, just keeping in touch with you about my start date in two months" to which the response is "Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm starting another position 1000 miles away in two weeks" This can happen, which is why it is critical to have a back up preceptor ready to go, and why its important to maintain communication frequently before you start.

Longhorngirl · Oct 16, 2008

Wow! Invaluable information. I cannot express my gratitude enough. I am printing this out and filing it away. Wonderful, wonderful advice Tammy. Thanks again! :yeah:

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Oct 16, 2008

Wow! Invaluable information. I cannot express my gratitude enough. I am printing this out and filing it away. Wonderful, wonderful advice Tammy. Thanks again!

No worries. When it comes to internships with a preceptor, make sure you remember that often you are your best, and sometimes only advocate. With this in mind, you can formulate a list of your preceptors priorities in life and establish how you figure on this list, which goes something like this:

1. Family

2. NP Practice/Patients/Professional development

3. Friends

4. Paying rent

.....

87. Getting car fixed

88. Going shopping

....

233. Going to mother-in laws house for get together.

234. Precepting NP student

235. Get root canal next Tuesday.

Longhorngirl · Oct 16, 2008

So, so true. You sound like you do this for a living . Your comments put a completely different spin on things for me and have opened up my thinking on the subject. I think allnurses.com should start a column run by you called "Sound Advice on Landing a Preceptor for Distance Ed Programs"!

But seriously, I hope that one of the website reviewers sees this and shares it with others. Its been a great help!

Hook em!

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Oct 16, 2008

So, so true. You sound like you do this for a living .

Actually, I do:D. I own a vocational college with programs that all require some form of clinical experience. Procuring agency contracts and preceptors for all my students remains as the largest challenge.