FNP preceptor

[TRVL.RN, MSN, RN]

Hello Everyone, 

I've recently interviewed with a school for post MSN- FNP certificate. I was told that I would have to try and find my clinical preceptors before the school actually attemps to place me anywhere and that I would have to show proof of denied preceptorship attempts before they agree to find me placement for my clinicals.  is this a common practice? I don't see a disclosure anywhere that states such practice on their website and the school has a descent fee for "student services" every semmester. Also, if I could please get any tips of finding a genuine preceptor, im not a fan of asking NPs that I already have a working relationship with because I woud like an honest feedback and realistic clinical experience versus leaving any room for preferential treatment. any feedback will help! thank you for your time. 

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Unfortunately, it's common practice for NP programs to not provide clinical placement and have the student find their own preceptors, but that's pretty odd that they want you to provide proof of rejection before they provide assistance. Given your specialty of PICU and CTICU, I assume you are working in the hospital setting and that is your best bet for finding a preceptor. Regular attendings/hospitalists are known to have their own office and do family practice while some specialists also do primary care. Half of my primary care hours was done through a hospitalist I asked to precept with. If you are familiar with your PCP, he/she can also be potential preceptor. I've known my PCP for years in the past (never really followed up annually though LOL) but my parents are very close with her and she agreed to precept me.

Honestly, I would hop on your connections with your NP colleagues in a heart beat if I were you. The fact that you have a working relationship with them means that they can and will give you honest feedback. That is assuming your NP colleagues also do primary care.

Lastly, you can always resort to fee-for-service sites for NP placement. Sucks, but it is available and came across a few students that went through NP hub with no issues except just adding on to their loan. Looking for preceptorship early and even before you start your program is definitely recommended which is what I did. Unfortunately, I slacked off looking early for OBGYN placement and when it came time for those hours to be done, I was very, very lucky to get placement for both quickly.

[TRVL.RN, MSN, RN]

barcode120x said:

Unfortunately, it's common practice for NP programs to not provide clinical placement and have the student find their own preceptors, but that's pretty odd that they want you to provide proof of rejection before they provide assistance. Given your specialty of PICU and CTICU, I assume you are working in the hospital setting and that is your best bet for finding a preceptor. Regular attendings/hospitalists are known to have their own office and do family practice while some specialists also do primary care. Half of my primary care hours was done through a hospitalist I asked to precept with. If you are familiar with your PCP, he/she can also be potential preceptor. I've known my PCP for years in the past (never really followed up annually though LOL) but my parents are very close with her and she agreed to precept me.

Honestly, I would hop on your connections with your NP colleagues in a heart beat if I were you. The fact that you have a working relationship with them means that they can and will give you honest feedback. That is assuming your NP colleagues also do primary care.

Lastly, you can always resort to fee-for-service sites for NP placement. Sucks, but it is available and came across a few students that went through NP hub with no issues except just adding on to their loan. Looking for preceptorship early and even before you start your program is definitely recommended which is what I did. Unfortunately, I slacked off looking early for OBGYN placement and when it came time for those hours to be done, I was very, very lucky to get placement for both quickly.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. My background is PICU/PCTICU buuut I live in a city where there is no trauma PICU so I ventured into the non-trauma peds pacu and I work closely with the surgeons NPs. I will pick their brains on any recomendations in that case. thank you so much again I start this fall.  

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

TRVL.RN said:

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. My background is PICU/PCTICU buuut I live in a city where there is no trauma PICU so I ventured into the non-trauma peds pacu and I work closely with the surgeons NPs. I will pick their brains on any recomendations in that case. thank you so much again I start this fall.  

Ah interesting, then it may be tough for ya. Well, get started looking! There's a good chance those surgery NPs know other NPs that may do family practice as well. Get networking with them! If you have not committed to that NP Program yet, you could still look around at other schools to see if their programs other clinical placement.

Sometimes you will have to do it old school and visit local clinics in person. It's scary and nerve-wrecking. I don't recommend phone calls or emails as I think going in person, well dressed, and ready to present yourself goes long ways. I did that for my peds clinic. It was the one and only clinic I actually asked in person. I dressed up, made my resume, and I went when they opened. Introduced myself to the receptionist, gave my resume, and she said her manager will look to see if there was a spot for me. A few minutes into my drive home, I got all from the manager saying they would take me.

[FluffyDog]

Yes, this is an unfortunate reality of so many schools moving to online education. The credentialing bodies (CCNE, for example) do require that schools "help" students find preceptors, but it's a very loose term. Schools say that they are helping when they do something like your school did, which is not much help!

Preceptorlink has been great for a lot of students. And I've worked with them as a preceptor. I know an NP owns it, and they have been around for a long time. Hopefully, you find your own, but if not, I'd try them. And, I agree, don't hesitate to reach out to colleagues!

[JKL33]

Quote

I was told that I would have to try and find my clinical preceptors before the school actually attemps to place me anywhere and that I would have to show proof of denied preceptorship attempts

Don't mean to be Debbie Downer but ^ this to me is a double-down on the original outrage of not actually planning where they're putting their students to begin with and somehow shoveling that responsibility onto the students who are paying thousands.

To say proof of rejection must be shown would really be testing my limits of what I will tolerate. It's such poor treatment. I would not be able to summon up any respect for them. After all...many "rejections" come in the form of just not receiving a reply.

Anyway....you can't change it. If there are no other programs around you that will try a little harder then you'll have to go with it. And if you do, I strongly suggest you use every resource you have. It's noble, I suppose, to desire an honest evaluation from someone who won't be tempted to give you special treatment, but you can always talk to which ever preceptor you find and share your thoughts about wanting to learn and not just float through checking the boxes.

good luck !

[TRVL.RN, MSN, RN]

barcode120x said:

Ah interesting, then it may be tough for ya. Well, get started looking! There's a good chance those surgery NPs know other NPs that may do family practice as well. Get networking with them! If you have not committed to that NP Program yet, you could still look around at other schools to see if their programs other clinical placement.

Sometimes you will have to do it old school and visit local clinics in person. It's scary and nerve-wrecking. I don't recommend phone calls or emails as I think going in person, well dressed, and ready to present yourself goes long ways. I did that for my peds clinic. It was the one and only clinic I actually asked in person. I dressed up, made my resume, and I went when they opened. Introduced myself to the receptionist, gave my resume, and she said her manager will look to see if there was a spot for me. A few minutes into my drive home, I got all from the manager saying they would take me.

thank you that was my next plan, I was just going to dress up as if going to a job interview and hope I get selected. thank you for your feedback. 

[TRVL.RN, MSN, RN]

JKL33 said:

Don't mean to be Debbie Downer but ^ this to me is a double-down on the original outrage of not actually planning where they're putting their students to begin with and somehow shoveling that responsibility onto the students who are paying thousands.

To say proof of rejection must be shown would really be testing my limits of what I will tolerate. It's such poor treatment. I would not be able to summon up any respect for them. After all...many "rejections" come in the form of just not receiving a reply.

Anyway....you can't change it. If there are no other programs around you that will try a little harder then you'll have to go with it. And if you do, I strongly suggest you use every resource you have. It's noble, I suppose, to desire an honest evaluation from someone who won't be tempted to give you special treatment, but you can always talk to which ever preceptor you find and share your thoughts about wanting to learn and not just float through checking the boxes.

good luck !

thank you, since im a post masters FNP certificate student, when I applied to other school they were requiring me to do repeat classes with them such as the core adv pharm, patho and so on. in other words I was just being milked for more money just because they didn't get anything out of me for a bsn or msn. a lot of school required I retake courses I had already done with my msn just a "different name" under their institution. 

[karina smith]

Very few school would help with clinical, but they charge extra in tuitions. I compared many school with placement and without, it was $70,000 cheaper to find your own clinical preceptor.