Applying to NP School

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Specializes in Neurosurgery.

Hello everyone,

I am a new nurse that graduated in May, looking to start FNP school next fall. I currently work on a neurosurgical unit, and am really enjoying it so far, but I see myself working in primary care. I have no kids, and am ready to get back to school. The more I read about NP programs and the NP role, the more excited and passionate I get about starting this new journey. I am currently researching programs in my area and I am nervous about the clinical placement. Most schools are now having you find your own clinical sites. Has anyone had difficulty finding sites? Has it held you back from graduating or moving forward in the program? Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

If you seek out reputable state bricks-and-mortar schools you may find that they organize your preceptors for you. My school organizes all our clinical placements for us.

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The vast majority of NP programs make you find your own preceptor, even B&M programs.

There's is facebook group for students searching for preceptors and there are many cases where people have sat out for multiple semesters.

Finding preceptors is by far one of the biggest challenges to NP school. If you don't mind moving then going to a school that arranges them would save you a lot of time.

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Specializes in Surgery.

You'll see many threads about this topic. One thing you won't see are the positives about finding your own preceptors. Although it took me nearly 9 months (!) to find mine I was able to choose who and where and I had very good experiences.

So my advice is start early and use what professional contact you have made. I did know of several students that were desperate and took 'anything' so take that for whatever it's worth. I think having so little nursing experience may make it a little tougher for you. Anyways, good luck!

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Specializes in ER.

The schools in our area offer clinical placement but if you read the fine print, they do not guarantee clinical placement.

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Medical Intensive Care.

I would definitely seek out a school that arranges clinical rotations for you. It's a huge hassle to find receptors on your own. People aren't as helpful as you'd like them to be. The school that I attend allows us the option to find our own preceptors so long as they meet certain criteria. However, they will set up clinical rotations for us so long as we make the request well in advance prior to the start of the rotation.

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