Approaching a potential preceptor...

Call me old-fashioned, but I would call and arrange a short greet and discuss your future plans and ask if they would be open to precepting you. Then you can start making plans once you get accepted to make your commitments.

I asked in a variety of ways. I asked in person, had a mutual contact give them a heads up, called, and e-mailed. Calling can be difficult because they are busy with patients, meetings, ect. In this day and age, I personally don't think it's distasteful to e-mail, although some people may disagree. In fact, the preceptors that I am with I contacted them all by e-mail and is the main way that I have communicated with them. It always helps if you have a mutual contact. For instance, I would say I got your e-mail or contact from (name; usually another NP student) and they were impressed with the experience they had with you in clinic. Are you still willing to accept NP students? This worked very well for me. Also, I had a couple say they were full already. So I always thanked them for their time and to keep me in mind if they had an opening become available. I had a couple NP's & MD's reply after the thank you and hook me up with their partners in their clinics!

I emailed. I asked students I know and also the clinical coordinator at my hospital for opinions, and the consensus was to email. I was told that they've heard people(providers) say that they felt like pressured to make an on-the-spot decision through email and preferred it. It also doesn't hold up their day much, like a phone call or meeting could.

It worked for me. I emailed 11 people and got 3 yeses. The others didn't say no, they all just already had a student for the timeframe I needed! Ask other students or advisors at your school if they have heard.

Thanks so much for all of your opinions. Now that I am actually accepted into the program I am going to start reaching out. My first rotation is January of 2017. Wish me luck!