Finding Clinicals

Finding preceptors is a challenging and daunting venture for sure. My advice is to:

1. Check with your school to see closest agencies they have contracts with. Remember, not only do you need a preceptor agreement, but an agency contract. If your program has had students in your area with an agency, there will be a contract on file. From here, you find out who that particular preceptor is and make contact with both the former student, who is probably an alum now and ask for an intro. If not possible, make contact directly with that agency.

2. Join your local NP regional association and start attending meetings. I found dozens of qualified preceptors, all of which were happy to help.

3. Hit the medically under served clinics, department of public health, county clinics, teaching hospitals with family practice residencies.

4. Check out Daisy's post:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f34/need-preceptor-click-here-335594.html#post3128371

5. Hit the search button and type preceptor for more tipps.

6. If all else fails, grab the yellow pages and start going door to door. This is preferable than making phone calls. It's sometimes harder for people to say "no" face to face rather than via telephone--especially around Christmas time.

7. Above all, don't give up. Also, once you find a preceptor, always get at least one back up. I have two primary preceptors and multiple back ups on stand by just in case, because if there is a problem and for whatever reason you are unable to continue, you may delay yourself by a year until the next clinical track comes around.

I've had a couple strike outs in the beginning, but were able to line up my contracts after that. I've had more of a problem with the school processing the contracts then finding them in my rural area. Look at organizations websites for NP's, join the state NP association, attend meetings and conferences, network, and ask.

I share your frustrations when it comes to finding clinicals for NP school. I did a FNP program, I had the hardest time finding a pediatric site. Luckily I found a county clinic in Richmond, Indiana. They were awesome. I got to see 1 week olds on up. This was over the spring when fuel was so high, I would cringe at the cost to get their and back every day. Word of mouth works, talking to people who know people.