Published Aug 24, 2010
cjmaxwell
2 Posts
Hello!
I am a nurse looking to apply to an FNP program for next fall. My husband is currently finishing up his degree, which means we can potentially move wherever I can get into school and he can find a job. I'm looking at the Frontier School FNP program, and have heard so many great things about it I'm fairly certain I'll apply. My only reservation is the process of finding your own preceptor.
For all of you current FNP students- is it a big deal if I don't have a preceptor in mind before I start? I have no idea where we'll be living at this point and probably wouldn't be able to find a potential preceptor until after I start school. Even then, I'm concerned that since we'll be new to the area I won't have any established relationships with NPs I can call on later. The areas we're looking to move to are Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico (also looking into FNP programs in those states too just in case anyone has any opinions) Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!
mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP
1,168 Posts
The school does not help you find clinical sites, you are responsible for finding your own. The school does maintain a database however that currently is VERY outdated (but with plans to update it eventually) that they can give you that might assist you in your search. But you will do the leg work to find your own clinical sites.
Keep in mind former Frontier students will help you find sites. We tend to stick together and help You need to secure at least one site about 6-9 months before you start clinicals. Keeping in mind you need hours but you also need specific visits. The best place to achieve all the hours and visits would be a well rounded practice that sees FP and OB patients together. You need an APN that is board certified. Doctors are OK for 135 hours but that is it. No PAs. So there are rules that have to be followed as well when looking for sites.
M2M
A FSMFN student who struggled to find clinicals but eventually found 3 sites
lululucy, BSN, RN
27 Posts
To mom2michael: hi, I also have a question about the preceptorship at Frontier. I'm interested in the FNP program, how many preceptors do I need to locate in order to complete the program? Can I stay with one? Do you know if it is easy to locate fnps in NYC? Thank you in IAdvance