Are there preceptorships for students who are enrolled in a program that doesn't have them

[nervousSRN]

Hi, I am in my last semester of an ADN program and have somehow made it this far without knowing that some schools have preceptorships for their seniors.... Mine does not. My question is, is there a way for me to participate in a preceptorship independently. I really feel that this would be an extremely beneficial experience for me and am disappointed that it is not a part of our program.

I am located about 20 miles east of Pittsburgh PA. I would appreciate any input or suggestions on this topic, even if anyone has another idea of something that would give me a more complete idea of a more day to day nursing job is really like. I am just not in a Clinical rotation for long enough, nor are we allowed to do enough for me to ever get really comfortable, and I am getting very worried because I graduate in 9 weeks! TIA

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

When not associated with a nursing program, they are called externships. Conduct a Google search...opportunities are posted all over the internet if you are willing to travel to where one is being offered. Here is an externship in Tulsa, Oklahoma:

Nurse Externship Program | St. John Medical Center | St. John Health System

Although nursing program preceptorships are helpful, they are not necessary. The vast majority of students do not receive a preceptorship. It is your personality and credentials that will open the doors to the jobs you want.

[nursingwithjen]

I did not do a nursing preceptorship through my school because I was also working for the first half of this last semester and there weren't any preceptorships in the area I want to work in, but I reached out to the HR department at a hospital that I am interested in working at and they are arranging some time for me to come shadow on the specific floor I want to work on. Yeah, I won't be able to do any skills or anything, but at least I will get to see what a 12 hour shift looks like on that floor in that specific hospital. Not doing a preceptorship won't affect my ability to get a job since this hospital has already asked us all to come work for them once we graduate. So if there is a hospital that you have done clinicals at, and that you potentially want to work at, you should contact them to see if you could do something similar.

[peculiarannie]

I live in the Bay Area California and the LVN - ADN program I'm in does not do a preceptorship. They say since we're already LVN's and have experience, it's not necessary. I know of two schools/programs in the area here where you can pay to do a preceptorship once you already have your RN license. They cost a couple thousand dollars but they put you in local hospitals which may increase your chances of getting hired. New grad programs are very slim here so the programs can be beneficial for the RN having a hard time landing a job.

You may may try looking to see if there are any programs in your area that offer this. But prepared to spend $$$