Difficulty finding an NP

So many reasons ... It is a lot of work for which they typically don't get any reimbursement. Many NPs are paid, or at least get bonuses, based on their productivity (how many people they can see in a day), and having a student slows them down and reduces their productivity, which then "costs" them even more. Many work for employers that won't permit them to take students, whether they, personally, are willing to or not. Agreeing to precept a student is a much bigger deal than most students realize.

I have done a few but am very particular. If a student does not have a solid background in mental health I am not willing to spend the time getting them up to speed. In my area and specialty everyone within a 6 hour radius seems to know everyone else and my reputation is important to me. I will not precept someone who I think is going to make me look bad. Sorry if that sounds harsh but it is how I feel. In the years I worked as a floor nurse, while I was continuing toward my goal to become a NP, I made it a point to foster relationships with more than a few Docs/NPs who were willing to precept me or make a phone call to a buddy on my behalf. Was I lucky? Perhaps somewhat but also calculating. Frankly it makes me wonder about students who haven't felt it was important to do while they were working as a nurse, or again maybe they are the ones who have minimal nursing experience and Doctor/NP exposure?

I'm guessing you are having difficulty and if that is the case, again I'd go back to who you know. Your attending on the units you have worked as a RN. You need a peds rotation? How about your kid's doc? An OB/GYN? Ask the practice you use. Good luck!

In addition to what the others have said ...

If NP's were people who really enjoyed teaching, they would have become nursing instructors -- not NP's. Yes, some NP's like to precept, but you have to remember that these are people who did NOT choose the education track in grad school. They chose to specialize in direct patient care -- and there is nothing wrong with that. They have nothing to apologize for. Not everyone wants to be a teacher for a living, and as already been said, taking on a student is hard work that can reduce their income.

What are you offering the preceptor in return for precepting you? In most cases, it is "nothing" -- and people can only be expected to donate X amount of their time, energy, and money to educate a stranger.

I strongly believe that schools should be compensating preceptors and doing much more to help students find suitable preceptors. You are paying the school to take those clinical hours ... the school should be providing you with the instruction instead of counting on practicing NP's to donate it for nothing in return.

I wish there was a data base of NP/MDs that would actively precept students and at the same time compensate them for doing such a beautiful thing. :-)

There is always the option of seeking out a school that provides, vets, and compensates good preceptors ...

Jules, how would you know if a student will make you look bad before you agree to precept them? Do you interview them? I do agree it's a lot of time to teach students but I know in places I have done clinicals, I have been an asset. The doctor just comes in to Okay my plan of care as per my assessment findings. This helps us see more patients in a day than if the doctor had to do everything by himself.

My school just sends us to the sites (thank God they find preceptors for us).

Maybe its just me but I never felt like an asset for my preceptors. I was thankful for the opportunity because I knew that everything I did was double checked, often re-done and signed off on by the person who was kind enough to spend their time assisting me with my education without compensation.

So far I have only precepted people I already knew or who came on recommendation from someone I know. While I certainly can't say for certain who is going to be a lousy prescriber in my experience the NPs who have no psych experience are not especially skilled at diagnosing or prescribing. My worry isn't about how they are going to function during the clinical experience because I have total control over that but more how they are going to function as a LIP out in the community.