Help: Can't find a preceptor

texasfnp · Mar 29, 2011

I had the same problem trying to find my preceptors when in my program. I called at least 20 or more practices before getting 2 "yes" responses! What worked is I didn't ask to talk to the preceptor, I talked instead to the office manager, who then spoke to the preceptor and it was the office manager who arranged the whole thing.

That approach may work for you as well. Good luck and best wishes.

JayNP · Mar 31, 2011

I am so sorry StudentOnceAgain although I feel your pain. I'm a first year NP student and having the same difficulty. Many of the clinics in my area only take med students or have contracts with particular schools and my school just so happens to not be on the list. Like you I must find my own preceptors and somehow manage to obtain 800 patients and get over 650 clinical hours before I graduate next year. I feel like I want an good learning experience for my clinical rotation, however, at this point any site will do. Anyone know of any NPs or MDs in Los Angeles area? Please let me know. Good luck StudentOnceAgain.

hdawsonrn1 · Nov 1, 2011

I am in the same boat. I am so desperate. I have finished everything and now I am just begging for a preceptor. I had to sit out the last two semesters. My husband is so angry. We paid cash for all of my school and I have worked so hard. If I had any idea that this was going to be so challenging; I would have done something else. I sent out 20 more letters today. I am sick to my stomach. I live right outside of Dallas, Texas; searching for a pediatric nurse practitioner to precept me. I don't know what to do.

zenman · Nov 1, 2011

I am so sorry StudentOnceAgain although I feel your pain. I'm a first year NP student and having the same difficulty. Many of the clinics in my area only take med students or have contracts with particular schools and my school just so happens to not be on the list. Like you I must find my own preceptors and somehow manage to obtain 800 patients and get over 650 clinical hours before I graduate next year. I feel like I want an good learning experience for my clinical rotation, however, at this point any site will do. Anyone know of any NPs or MDs in Los Angeles area? Please let me know. Good luck StudentOnceAgain.

Isn't there plenty of sliding scale community clinics that would love to have you help out?

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2011

I'm sorry you guys are having such difficulty securing preceptors. I find it shameful that so many schools charge tuition for clinical credits when they do absolutely nothing to secure clinical rotations for their students.

Do you have any good working relationships with physicans in your area? Let them know you are in need of a preceptor and they may be willing to help you out. If not, you may need to widen your search. My best friend finally secured a preceptor after she widened her search. She will travel 1.5 hrs each way but at least she found one. Also, contact your school and ask for the names of students who graduated a couple of yrs ago. Maybe one of them will be willing to precept you.

Hdawsonrn1, if these suggestions are unsuccessful, I would contact your program director immediately! I don't blame your husband for being upset. You should not have to prolong your education any further. They should either help you secure a preceptor or refund your money. How did other students secure preceptors? You are in an area with large medical and nursing programs so I'm sure there is much competition for preceptors. Hopefully widening your search will be successful.

cozmax · May 3, 2015

Hello. I know that this thread is old, however I am hopeful that maybe a few of you are now NPs. I am having the same trouble finding a preceptor for my rotation that begins in a few week and goes until the middle of August. The preceptor that I had lined up is no longer able to do it, which puts me in quite the predicament. If anyone is able to help me with either names or suggestions I would really appreciate it. I don't mind driving either (I live in Huntley, IL). I am at a loss for what to do next and I so desperately want to be an NP. Thank you for you help!

Trauma Columnist · May 3, 2015

Moving to Student NP forum.

@cozmax - try the IL Society of Advanced Practice Nurses

Best wishe.

TachyNurseGuy · May 6, 2015

Advanced Prep will help you. Its a paid service however.

Angeljho, MSN, NP · May 7, 2015

Advanced Prep will help you. Its a paid service however.

Have you used their services with success?

TachyNurseGuy · May 8, 2015

Yes, so far they have found me Ob & Peds. It costs about $1k for each given the required lead time. Honestly its been well worth it... doing it on my own was very discouraging, stressful and kinda a full time job in itself. having done it for a few months, in my opinion they dont charge enough.

Biu101 · Jun 8, 2016

Contact Clinical Preceptor Placement; they provide clinic site for small fee. The service area is North Texas. Visit their website Home

email address [email protected] or call 469-363-1941 ask for Bill

LucyLou88, MSN, RN, NP · May 28, 2017

I am in the same position. My school refuses to help us in ANY way. They will not release the names of any previous preceptors or even which institutions already have affiliation agreements in place. They seem to to be doing everything to prevent me from getting a preceptor. It's odd. Frankly I'm surprised a class action law suit against UT Arlington has not been filed. Maybe I will file civil suit forcing them to reveal their dishonest recruitment practices, and a list of all past preceptors. I can't imagine actually having the time to do that. Medical and PA schools don't do this to their students. Nurses eat their own. That's for sure.