Finding a APN preceptor for Graduate Clinical

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Why is it so difficult to find an APN who is willing to serve as a preceptor? They know what it is all about and they know a clinical experience needs to be done by all of us. This is so frustrating.

Hi Chris2732,

I called every hopsital in the area and spoke with the director of staff development. They could contact all the NP and CNS who worked in their hospital. I also called and emailed the state Nurse Practitioner association and they sent out a letter in their weekly newsletter.

I called every nurse practitioner in the phone book. I have a friend who is a professor at University of Michigan, and she gave me names of possible preceptors. My school had given me a list of possible preceptors, but it was out of date and fairly useless. My instructor gave me the name of the nurse who is going to be my preceptor and her name is not even on the list the school gave me!

Where do you live?

Thanks for sharing such valuable information! I did nearly the same things you did for the past 3 years in order to have a preceptor before the practicum. I took all the required MSN courses before the practicum and capstone.

Because no preceptor had been found, I was unable to progress forward in completing the practicum and capstone. I have been on hiatus from the program since January 2009 because of the lack of preceptor.

This experience has showed me to be more than willing to precept students. I would precept with the educational background and experience that I have now.

RN4JC, feel free to contact me if you need preceptors. I would be more than happy to be a preceptor and send you contacts for other preceptors. I know you'll go on to teach BSN and MSN students online and onsite. I currently live in IL.

Can you private message me through allnurses?

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Reading the responses to your post about finding preceptors, scares me. I start FNP (psychiatric) spring 2010. I need board certified, psychiatric NP's for preceptors. I live near Los Angeles. I hope to find willing NPs somewhere in Southern California. I am expecting to work long hours, off shifts and/or weekends. I plan to do whatever it takes.

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Hi Peaceful,

I came across this previous thread that describes the issues in contacting a preceptors and making cold calls.

https://allnurses.com/post-graduate-nursing/finding-a-preceptor-380526.html

These posts described the situation that preceptors are in when they receive calls from students. Some students find preceptors, while others never find them, which inhibits them from attaining their MSN.

Keep us updated if you find a preceptor for your graduate program!

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Thanks!

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Thanks for sharing such valuable information! I did nearly the same things you did for the past 3 years in order to have a preceptor before the practicum. I took all the required MSN courses before the practicum and capstone.

Because no preceptor had been found, I was unable to progress forward in completing the practicum and capstone. I have been on hiatus from the program since January 2009 because of the lack of preceptor.

This experience has showed me to be more than willing to precept students. I would precept with the educational background and experience that I have now.

Hi Chris2732

Have you found a preceptor yet?

Did you know going into any accredited MSN program that practicum hours and a preceptor are required?

What field are you currently in?

I may be able to point you in the right direction regarding your dilemma in not finding a preceptor.

It would be sad to know that potential nursing faculty, like yourself, were not given an opportunity to achieve the MSN. We could use faculty, like you, who are encouraging and attentive to students.

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Hi,

I have just started looking for a preceptor. I need a board certified, psychiatric NP in Southern California. Yes, clinical hours + preceptor are absolute requirements of my MSN NP (psychiatric) program. There is no NP program that would not require this (usually beginning in the 2nd year). I would appreciate any direction you could give. I will need one in a year.

Thanks.

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Hi,

I have just started looking for a preceptor. I need a board certified, psychiatric NP in Southern California. Yes, clinical hours + preceptor are absolute requirements of my MSN NP (psychiatric) program. There is no NP program that would not require this (usually beginning in the 2nd year). I would appreciate any direction you could give. I will need one in a year.

Is this MSN program online?

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Hi Peaceful,

You'll find information in this discussion post on how a graduate student had success in finding a preceptor.

I tried what RN4JC did for the past 3 years to find a preceptor before the practicum. I took all the required MSN courses before the practicum and capstone. I have not heard back or found a preceptor willing to precept me. I could not move forward in the MSN program because of no preceptor.

If you want to attend an online MSN program, make sure you have a preceptor who agrees to precepting you in writing.

This experience has showed me to be more than willing to precept students since I experienced such difficulty in trying to find a preceptor and could not.

Keep us updated when you find a preceptor!

Good Luck!

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Hi jp837

I have not found a preceptor. I currently teach. I did not think it would be this difficult to find a preceptor.

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Is this MSN program online?

Yes, program is online.

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Hi Jp837,

I have not found a preceptor, and I have been searching since I began the online MSN program. When I asked about preceptor requirement, the instructors told me not to worry about it, and wait till I get to the practicum. I have reached the practicum stage, and I am not allowed to proceed because I have not found a preceptor. I have earned all A's in my graduate MSN courses, and cannot progress to MSN completion because of no preceptor. I've searched the Internet for organizations or businesses that match MSN preceptors with MSN students, but there are none.

I hope online prospective students can learn from my situation so that this does not happen to anyone again. I spent time, money, and energy in the MSN courses leading up to the practicum, and still could not finish the program. I am still searching for a preceptor.

Since I have experienced the difficulties in finding an MSN preceptor, I know that I would be more than willing to be a preceptor for online prospective nursing students if given the opportunity.

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That must be so frustrating! Hearing your story makes me so nervous (just starting a program.)

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