Frustrated with FNP program :(

[gapeach427]

I'm currently in the FNP program (distance-learning) at Ball State University. The most stressful and frustrating parts of the program are finding preceptors and clinical faculty for each course, and BSU is so picky about the qualifications for preceptors and clinical faculty. I've had no luck with this for my Fall class. NPs are either too busy in their own practice, they're going back to school (DNP), they're too specialized, or they're not interested. I would try and switch programs, but I'd lose a bunch of credits.

I'm thinking of completing my MSN with a Leadership (management) track instead...then pursue a post-master's certificate through a different school.

Any advice?

[jlcole45]

Do they have to be a NP? what about doing clinicals with a MD or DO?

[NPinWCH]

I'm in my last year in the the same program and have had issues getting preceptors for some of the clinical classes. Of course, with Ball State you have to have a preceptor who CAN be an MD/DO or NP as well as a Clinical Faculty member who MUST be an NP. Finding 2 can be difficult.

I know several NPs in my area, Central Ohio, and contacted them to see if they had any ideas. Since your faculty member CAN'T be the same as your preceptor I use a local FNP (who I used to work with) for that and then MDs/DOs for my preceptors. The faculty member is easy to fill, since they get paid $400 for their 8hrs of work. Most of the docs I precept with work with me, they know me and that's made it easy to get them to agree to precept me. I started talking to the docs about it long before I needed to work with them so they knew when I'd need hours.

Finding a preceptor for my current semester, Adult Health, has been the hardest. I'm with 2 different docs in the same practice because neither of them wanted to do the full 240 hrs. So, it might be worth thinking about splitting it that way. If one of them agrees to be your preceptor, you could still do some time with the other.

I wish I knew people in you area, but I don't. I do know that there are many Ball State students in the Indianapolis area...maybe you could contact some of them and see who they used.

Good Luck with the program and don't get discouraged. It took me a long time to track down my first preceptor and even this semester my paperwork was late because my original preceptor had to take a leave of absence. Keep working on it. You still have time.

[Hikingonthru]

Sitting on the brink of beginning my own FNP program, most of it self-guided, I think you are looking at an opportunity to forge a superior reputation for yourself as a practitioner. Hard times call for creative measures. You have been offered some good suggestions. Call upon your own network of colleagues and professional peers. One of the most important thing for any professional is to be able to form a professional network. This may be one of the elements your program uses to weed out those who can from those who cannot. That may not be what you want to hear, but often it is simply the case. You are smart enough to get in the program and complete other clinicals. You are smart enough to figure out a solution to your dilemna. BTW, now may be a good time to start making contacts for the next semester's clinical. and the next. Best of luck!