Having trouble finding a preceptor with my new M-F 8a-4:30p job. Any ideas who I can reach out to?

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Hi! I am currently finishing my MSN in education degree and I am having trouble securing a preceptor. I just received a new job working in a clinic with the hours M-F 8-4:30pm. Any ideas on where I can find a preceptor so I can complete my clinical hours. So far, everyone I reached out to have the same hours as me therefore, they are not able to precept me. I am running out of options and need any suggestions. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thank you!

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

Are there any "free" clinics in your area that have evening/weekend hours?

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

Do you have the option of doing a capstone project or thesis in lieu of clinical hours?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I was in the same situation when I completed my MSN in education- I was working 07-1530 M-F plus taking a lot of call. I made the decision that the best way for me to proceed would be to utilize my vacation time to take days off during the week to meet my clinical hour requirements. Although new, is there a way that you can work with your employer to negotiate taking some days off?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Topics merged.

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Specializes in Educator.

Try an online educator at an accredited school. They do not work fixed hours and you will be able to work it around your current schedule.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
On 2/21/2020 at 9:00 AM, Rose_Queen said:

I made the decision that the best way for me to proceed would be to utilize my vacation time to take days off during the week to meet my clinical hour requirements.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

OP: I did something similar to Rose_Queen. Although I have 1 day off a week (I work 32 and not 40), I still was not going to have enough clinical practicum hours completed by the end of the practicum course. I calculated the number of hours I needed off and begged for the time off to meet my degree and course requirements.

On the other hand, some students are able to complete practicum at work based on their programs. Thus, you may need to look into a different program in order to complete your practicum hours. Good luck.

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The only thing I can think of is a clinical instructor that is teaching clinicals on the PM shift. You'd miss the first few hours of their shift - I'm not sure if that would work but it's worth a try. I'd try LVN schools, RN schools, private and public. Good luck. I know how hard it can be to find your own preceptor.

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On 2/21/2020 at 9:37 AM, Elaine M said:

Are there any "free" clinics in your area that have evening/weekend hours?

I will look into it. Thank you!

On 2/21/2020 at 10:30 AM, sleepwalker said:

Do you have the option of doing a capstone project or thesis in lieu of clinical hours?

I asked and I am not able to. Thank you for your suggestion.

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On 2/24/2020 at 12:33 PM, KCMnurse said:

Try an online educator at an accredited school. They do not work fixed hours and you will be able to work it around your current schedule.

I'm not sure how that will workout but it's definitely worth a try. I will look into it. Thank you.

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On 2/21/2020 at 12:00 PM, Rose_Queen said:

I was in the same situation when I completed my MSN in education- I was working 07-1530 M-F plus taking a lot of call. I made the decision that the best way for me to proceed would be to utilize my vacation time to take days off during the week to meet my clinical hour requirements. Although new, is there a way that you can work with your employer to negotiate taking some days off?

That's not a bad idea. Since I'm new, I'm not sure that they will approve any vacation time immediately but if I can't find any other solutions, I will just have to do that. Thank you for your suggestion!

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4 hours ago, Golden_RN said:

The only thing I can think of is a clinical instructor that is teaching clinicals on the PM shift. You'd miss the first few hours of their shift - I'm not sure if that would work but it's worth a try. I'd try LVN schools, RN schools, private and public. Good luck. I know how hard it can be to find your own preceptor.

That's not a bad idea. I'll look into it. Thank you!

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