Excited & Nervous NP student

gelli.25 · Jul 1, 2016

I don't start until the Fall, but my first clinical is in Spring of 2017. So, right now I am getting into the process of finding preceptors. So far, I've gotten 2 no's: from a Do and MD (at least I got a reply). I was also recommended a few NPs (email) from my clinical coordinator at my hospital, but none of them even responded. It's very frustrating when you don't even get a response from someone. So, I have about 6 months to secure a preceptor. I agree the earlier the better. It just frightens me that they may forget and back out when the time comes if the gap is huge.

bbcewalters, NP · Jul 1, 2016

They can always back out, however, if you secure them early keep in contact with them via email about monthly. Reminding them of how excited you are for the opportunity to work with them in the near future.

susie8672 · Jul 1, 2016

Hi Everyone,

Congrats to everyone on the NP program! I am also a current FNP student and was going on my third class having A's all the way through however, now I'm soooo stressed pissed offfffff and depressed because I had currently completed my required amount of hours with a MD however the FNP who works under him which I was not able to be preceptor by due to her not being a FNP for a year yet, did not really like me from day 1. She would not speak to me at all! So anyways she usually does the MDs paperwork and she cut my hours in half and stated I had not completed my hours!! We began having some conflicts which I would not really answer to her comments because all I was there for was for my hours and get the knowledge I required however these comments began when the owners of the clinic gave me a lab coat with the clinics logo and would always ask me that they would love for me to consider them when I was through with my hours and took boards. I was there to do hours and not to replace anyone! And now the MD is on vacation and there is no way I could resolve this! I was given 6 weeks to complete my hours however, now I have to don a new site and get site approved and submit all paperwork which takes about 6 weeks! I'm soooooo depressed and stressed right now that my grad will be turning from an A to an incomplete thanks to this FNP that has just ruined me! I was doing 12 HR shifts even on my weeks of breaks and she complete erased that! Now I'm considering in taking the F as a grade and retake the class since I will have no time in finding a site then completing all required paperwork. Why are there people that want to ruin your career?! I'm soooo sad and depressed! I've been doing so well in my classes and I work have 2 kids a toddler and infant and husband which now I feel like all that time I did FREE hours! Of course preceptor will always win over student

caseyuptonurse · Jul 1, 2016

I just finished my first class for NP yesterday. I was excited until I started this class... It was a lot of just writing papers and the professor seemed a little unorganized in regards to following the syllabus. I'm hoping the next class will be better. And I'm truly excited to get out of the busy classes and start clinicals. But I don't start those for another two years.

I'm doing a part time class and I only take one course each semester with summers off. I don't mind taking my time. And it makes it easier to work my two jobs doing it this way.

gelli.25 · Jul 1, 2016

Hi Everyone,
Congrats to everyone on the NP program! I am also a current FNP student and was going on my third class having A's all the way through however, now I'm soooo stressed pissed offfffff and depressed because I had currently completed my required amount of hours with a MD however the FNP who works under him which I was not able to be preceptor by due to her not being a FNP for a year yet, did not really like me from day 1. She would not speak to me at all! So anyways she usually does the MDs paperwork and she cut my hours in half and stated I had not completed my hours!! We began having some conflicts which I would not really answer to her comments because all I was there for was for my hours and get the knowledge I required however these comments began when the owners of the clinic gave me a lab coat with the clinics logo and would always ask me that they would love for me to consider them when I was through with my hours and took boards. I was there to do hours and not to replace anyone! And now the MD is on vacation and there is no way I could resolve this! I was given 6 weeks to complete my hours however, now I have to don a new site and get site approved and submit all paperwork which takes about 6 weeks! I'm soooooo depressed and stressed right now that my grad will be turning from an A to an incomplete thanks to this FNP that has just ruined me! I was doing 12 HR shifts even on my weeks of breaks and she complete erased that! Now I'm considering in taking the F as a grade and retake the class since I will have no time in finding a site then completing all required paperwork. Why are there people that want to ruin your career?! I'm soooo sad and depressed! I've been doing so well in my classes and I work have 2 kids a toddler and infant and husband which now I feel like all that time I did FREE hours! Of course preceptor will always win over student

How is that even possible??? Did you tell your instructor the situation? Don't you have a clinical log that you keep for yourself where the physician (your preceptor) signed off on for each day? Also, does your program use a software called "Typhon" where you log in all of your clinical patients? There has to be a way for you to justify that you completed your hours? There is absolutely no way I would let that slide! That's totally insane. Can you have the MD you worked with back you up on this?

laughlove · Jul 5, 2016

It is very area dependent when finding preceptors, however having a verbal commitment as early as possible is important. I know in my location, several offices have contracts with specific schools and won't entertain anyone else (meaning other schools). Your school should be able to provide you with specifics on which semesters need how many clinical hours and what the focus is (family, adult, peds, gero, women's health). Many good places book out at least a year..... But again this is area specific. Having personal contacts helps a lot... It can be a very frustrating/humbling process with many "no's". Have your resume ready to pass out to potential offices and you must have thick skin.....
Good luck!

Thanks! I'll be sure to start sooner than planned. You are right about getting a line up ready soon.

laughlove · Jul 5, 2016

I don't start until the Fall, but my first clinical is in Spring of 2017. So, right now I am getting into the process of finding preceptors. So far, I've gotten 2 no's: from a Do and MD (at least I got a reply). I was also recommended a few NPs (email) from my clinical coordinator at my hospital, but none of them even responded. It's very frustrating when you don't even get a response from someone. So, I have about 6 months to secure a preceptor. I agree the earlier the better. It just frightens me that they may forget and back out when the time comes if the gap is huge.

I know what you mean about the gap. Hope you find the preceptor you need in time! Wishing you the best!

futuredermNP · Jul 6, 2016

It is very area dependent when finding preceptors, however having a verbal commitment as early as possible is important. I know in my location, several offices have contracts with specific schools and won't entertain anyone else (meaning other schools). Your school should be able to provide you with specifics on which semesters need how many clinical hours and what the focus is (family, adult, peds, gero, women's health). Many good places book out at least a year..... But again this is area specific. Having personal contacts helps a lot... It can be a very frustrating/humbling process with many "no's". Have your resume ready to pass out to potential offices and you must have thick skin.....
Good luck!

Hi thanks for this post! What was your strategy in securing your preceptors besides contacting them early and submitting resumes? Did you do cold calls or did you only ask practitioners you knew? Any input will help!

bbcewalters, NP · Jul 6, 2016

I used all my resources, I asked NPs I know, I did cold calls, I asked surgeons I know (I work preop). I also belong to my local NP chapter. It did help a lot that my background is ER and so I know many NPs. But I did get two preceptors from cold calls.... You just have to put the time in and be prepared for almost all "no" responses. I also used the educators in my hospital for lists of people. HTH

staceym · Jul 8, 2016

Can you share any of the tips you've found so far???

Milso · Jul 11, 2016

I start in September! Excited and nervous because I am due with my first baby in November. Luckily, my program is part time and I start with just 2 core classes for the first semester. I have a very supportive husband (who is in the military) and equally supportive parents/in laws about 2 hours away who are already offering baby sitting services for when I need to get a lot of school work done or go to clinical. I am also doing adult geriatric primary care! I am cutting down to per diem status in October.

Milso · Jul 11, 2016

And yes, please share as many "success tips" as you can!