Finding a FNP clinical preceptor

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I am starting my primary care section of my FNP program in the fall and I am starting to look for some preceptors willing to work with me. Does anyone have any advice on trying to locate preceptors? The program that I am in currently does not permit us to cold call facilities and offices. The problem is, I work on a teaching unit with all residents, so I really do not know a lot of physicians/nurse practitioners on a personal level to ask. I am in the Pittsburgh PA area. I appreciate any words of wisdom/advice. :)

Thanks,

Michelle

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Does your program provide any assistance with finding preceptors? If not, then I don't know how they expect you to find any without cold calling. I would just go ahead and cold call.

One suggestion I have is to ask your own providers if they know of anyone who can help. I got one of my preceptors that way.

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The program will help us, but they want us to try and get our own first. Thanks for the advice! I will check w/ my primary care provider.

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Why would your program NOT encourage cold calling? Sometimes that's the only option someone has. As suggested, talk to your personal provider and ask for recommendations. Another consideration is to talk to nurses throughout the facility and find out which doctors have "impressed" them. I remember having 1 provider in mind until I got to talk to various nurse and they told me to "run as far as I could" as they did not have good things to report.

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At our orientation, the reason they gave us is that they do not want us all calling and overwhelming staff. I can see this to a certain point, because we do have a lot of nursing programs in this area. I might try picking up some overtime on other units to further my networking with other nurses. Thank you so much for your ideas!

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Best of luck!

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Thank you!

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Some of the best relationships bud at professional lunches, breakfasts, meetings, etc.

Take a look at NP organizations in your area, find ones that have meetings, lunch, etc, and attend. Introduce yourself. People will inevitably ask about you if you make a point of asking about them.

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[TD=class: rgSorted, bgcolor: #E6E6E6]Blair Regional Nurse Practitioner Association[/TD]

[TD]212 Laurel Dr[/TD]

[TD]Altoona[/TD]

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[TD]166013735[/TD]

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[TD=class: rgSorted]CHESMONT NP-PA Association[/TD]

[TD]544 Washington Ave[/TD]

[TD]Havertown[/TD]

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[TD=class: rgSorted, bgcolor: #E6E6E6]Laurel Highlands Nurse Practitioner Association (LHNPA)[/TD]

[TD]301 Basin Drive[/TD]

[TD]Windber[/TD]

[TD]PA[/TD]

[TD]15963[/TD]

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[TD=class: rgSorted]Northwest Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioner Association (NPNPA)[/TD]

[TD]PO Box 422[/TD]

[TD]Conneautville[/TD]

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[TD]6614 Northampton Ct[/TD]

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[TD]171116931[/TD]

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[TD=class: rgSorted]Nurse Practitioner Assn of Southwestern Pennsylvania (NPASP)[/TD]

[TD]2400 Ardmore Blvd[/TD]

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[TD]625 Cotter St[/TD]

[TD]Moosic[/TD]

[TD]PA[/TD]

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[TD]2400 Ardmore Blvd[/TD]

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[TD]408 Church St[/TD]

[TD]Moscow[/TD]

[TD]PA[/TD]

[TD]184449098[/TD]

[TD]http://pocononp.org/[/TD]

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[TD]218 Seltzer Ave[/TD]

[TD]Coatesville[/TD]

[TD]PA[/TD]

[TD]193202346[/TD]

[TD]http://www.pcnp.org[/TD]

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That is a great idea! I will check them out tonight. Thank you.

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Specializes in GENERAL.
The program will help us, but they want us to try and get our own first. Thanks for the advice! I will check w/ my primary care provider.

I don't get it. The program will help you but they want you to try to get your own preceptors first.

That sounds like false inducement.

What if you can't find all the preceptors you'll need. The competition for them is fierce. Will the school then step in and help even though they are not contracturally obligated to do so.

I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

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I thought it was going to be a little different. I was under the impression that the school was really helpful in obtaining preceptors. It sounds like they will be helpful if we do not have success and can document our failed attempts in finding our own. I am hoping so. You are so right, competition is fierce.

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I think it is time to go public with this issue of finding preceptors. There are students who have to sit out several terms for the simple reason of not being able to find a preceptor. The schools are aware of the problem, but continue to admit students. How much time do these schools spend recruiting preceptors? Medical schools do it all the time. There are many ways to entice a preceptor that are simple and affordable. Can they not try? When a student pays thousands of dollars per term, they don't want to hear that "you may have to sit out for a year." Very unprofessional and leaves a bitter taste. The rule should be if I can't get a preceptor, I get some of my money back. Sometimes students spend so much time securing a preceptor, that little time is spent studying.

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