FNP clinical sites

Dranger · Jan 5, 2016

Hi everyone,
I am currently in a FNP program and I am at the very end and we are responsible to find our own clinical sites. This is very frustrating because I have gone in so many places and no one wants to help and take a student. Does anyone have any suggestions where I can find a preceptor? I know some are paying for preceptors but I am a single mom and I really do not want to have to do that to finish my degree. I did find a couple however they were too specialized and the school would not allow it, which frustrated me more because its very hard to find one. If anyone has any suggestions pls let me I want to finish the program :)
Thank you,
Robin

Keep calling and network. Last resort? Use one of the pay services, but it could cost you $1000-$1500.

The fruits of unregulated school accreditation and piss poor admission standards, right?. My PA and med schools buddies think its both hilarious and sad that NPs have to find their own preceptors. How ridiculous is it that students pay thousands for tuition but have to facilitate their own learning? You can't even make this up...

rpiper4922 · Jan 5, 2016

I know it is crazy we have to pay someone, you would think NP would help out another student. I am so frustrated right now because I have spent 2 years in school down to the end and cannot find one. I also paid 90.00 for a website ENP for placement and emailed everyone on list and no one responded back to me but one and my school would not accept it because it was an ENT specialty. Thank you for allowing me to vent if you hear any leads pls let me know :)

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Jan 5, 2016

Keep calling and network. Last resort? Use one of the pay services, but it could cost you $1000-$1500.
The fruits of unregulated school accreditation and piss poor admission standards, right?. My PA and med schools buddies think its both hilarious and sad that NPs have to find their own preceptors. How ridiculous is it that students pay thousands for tuition but have to facilitate their own learning? You can't even make this up...

This is completely untrue anymore and frankly disrespectful! Many well known schools are requiring students to find their own preceptors now with online programs becoming more popular for the working student!!!

To OP, did you check Minute Clinic? Google online and you can fill an application to find a preceptor.

rpiper4922 · Jan 5, 2016

I did on rotation at minute clinic and I thought I was good for 2 sessions however you have to refill out the online information even if you are already precepting there and no one explained that to me so I now did it but the next session is summer, I also filled out Walgreens. I just wished the school helped out a little more, its very frustrating. If you have anymore ideas pls send them my way!

Thanks,

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2016

Thread has been moved to our Student NP forum.

Dranger · Jan 6, 2016

This is completely untrue anymore and frankly disrespectful! Many well known schools are requiring students to find their own preceptors now with online programs becoming more popular for the working student!!!
To OP, did you check Minute Clinic? Google online and you can fill an application to find a preceptor.

Wow that koolaid must have tasted good. I have no idea on what planet one would think students finding their own preceptors is a smart idea. It's purely a decision made out of laziness and greed.

Riddle me this, why is nursing the only healthcare profession to have a majority of online doctorate and masters programs while also requiring students to find their own teachers? I want to hear a legit logical reason. I don't care if it's easier on a working student, as a patient I wouldn't want provider who trained online and also had to do all the leg work to find teachers. Did you find your own preceptors/hospitals in RN school? Being a provider is tough and making consolations prizes and short cuts for everyone wanting to be one is a joke. If that were truly the case in the rest of the medical world we would have part time, online medical and PA schools with no campus visits.

I am actually surprised there is someone out here that defends this practice considering the amount of students who have to sit out every semester because they can't find a preceptor.

I'll be waiting....

Palliative Care, DNP · Jan 6, 2016

It really does come down to who you know. Be willing to travel. I'm licensed in 2 states. This is my last semester of my DNP program and I'm driving 1.5 hrs each way to a FQHC in a rural area with $17/day in tolls. It sucks that we have to find our own placement especially when we accept whoever says yes. That doesn't ensure a quality learning experience. The local offices near me have arrangements with local universities. I've heard every excuse imaginable in the last 4 yrs as to why an office won't take students. Many of the groups that are part of a hospital aren't allowed to precept because it reduces productivity. If I were applying today it would be to the local PA program not an NP program.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Jan 6, 2016

What did I say that supported or defended the practice? If I came across in that manner or was misunderstood, let me clarify that I think it is disrespectful to state, "The fruits of unregulated school accreditation and piss poor admission standards, right?" With these degrees becoming more attainable, there are definitely some problems that need to be worked out. I agree that it is ridiculous to essentially pay to find one's own preceptor. I would find a more respectful way to state my opinion that doesn't involve laughing at the challenges that others face to attain an education! And in my search for an RN-MSN/FNP program, so that I can work full time and attain my education goal, online is the best option available. I have found that many reputable nursing schools are now offering this option but with the requirement for students to find ones own preceptors. That is not to say that these programs do not have their problems!

Wow that koolaid must have tasted good. I have no idea on what planet one would think students finding their own preceptors is a smart idea. It's purely a decision made out of laziness and greed.
Riddle me this, why is nursing the only healthcare profession to have a majority of online doctorate and masters programs while also requiring students to find their own teachers? I want to hear a legit logical reason. I don't care if it's easier on a working student, as a patient I wouldn't want provider who trained online and also had to do all the leg work to find teachers. Did you find your own preceptors/hospitals in RN school? Being a provider is tough and making consolations prizes and short cuts for everyone wanting to be one is a joke. If that were truly the case in the rest of the medical world we would have part time, online medical and PA schools with no campus visits.
I am actually surprised there is someone out here that defends this practice considering the amount of students who have to sit out every semester because they can't find a preceptor.
I'll be waiting....

Dranger · Jan 6, 2016

What did I say that supported or defended the practice? If I came across in that manner or was misunderstood, let me clarify that I think it is disrespectful to state, "The fruits of unregulated school accreditation and piss poor admission standards, right?" With these degrees becoming more attainable, there are definitely some problems that need to be worked out. I agree that it is ridiculous to essentially pay to find one's own preceptor. I would find a more respectful way to state my opinion that doesn't involve laughing at the challenges that others face to attain an education! And in my search for an RN-MSN/FNP program, so that I can work full time and attain my education goal, online is the best option available. I have found that many reputable nursing schools are now offering this option but with the requirement for students to find ones own preceptors. That is not to say that these programs do not have their problems!

Let me expand on my first comment. Getting into NP school poses ZERO difficulty. I have not yet found person who could not at least get into a few schools and it seems most accept applicants who meet the minimum requirements and apply. Why? Well, there is almost no stringent vetting of schools and its no burden on the universities to limit enrollment if students are forced to find their own learning experiences.

I am not laughing at the OP. In fact I feel bad for her. Like many prospective NP students, many are finding placement to be very difficult.

As a last resort for a final class I WOULD drop the cash to pay for one rather than sit out a semester.

AlaBro2010 · Jan 6, 2016

Do they have an NP association nearby? A lot of students show up to request preceptors.

KLMG · Jan 7, 2016

I am currently in the same situation. I took a leave of absence last semester to seek out a preceptor. I've called and emailed clinical sites with no luck. Those NPs that are willing to assist were too new and unable to precept me. I contacted a site Clinical Match site and have not had any results with that either. I am currently at the point of requesting for another leave of absence or dropping the idea of becoming an NP for now. I only have clinicals to complete for my degree and finding a site has been the most difficult part of this program.