How far in advance should we be setting up preceptors?

BostonRN13 · Jun 16, 2013

I think the sooner the better. I too had to set up my own clinicals. I started looking in January of 2012 and my clinicals didn't start until September of 2012. I'm not sure if youre an RN already but use your professional contacts and aquintances. My WHNP was my NP when I had my daughter. I asked her waaaayyy back in the Summer of '12 and she said yes, and I kept in contact with her from time to time assuring she was still on board. I'm glad i had this opportunity because WH definately seemed like the toughest to find.

Only one, my Primary care MD I found though a cold call, but it was a great experience and I'm happy with how that worked out. Just start early, be professional but persistent and you'll find your people!!

playboyesquiere · Jul 3, 2013

It's difficult finding np preceptors so I suggest you start at least 1 year from the start of your anticipated first clinical. Because it could take awhile to get the contract signed, getting the affliation to the place your wanting to go to and other little snags. Also sign up for your states np organization student membership, talk to other people in your area and see who they used, because like i said it's tough finding Np's. In my area there are some places that are booked until summer 2014. Crazy..

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jul 3, 2013

But they haven't given us any direction yet...I'm in drexel's PNP. I don't know how you would start not knowing what they expect from us.

allnurses Guide · Jul 4, 2013

Start as early as possible. Spots for NP students are very right in most areas; I have a half dozen requests on my desk for students for both the spring 2014 and summer 2014 rotations. And that's way down from last year because we stopped accepting students from online programs.

Ideally find your perfect clinic/ward and get signed up early and hopefully for a full year.

BostonRN13 · Jul 4, 2013

I'd contact your clinical advisor. Like you've heard from us all, its tough out there..start ASAP!!

BostonRN13 · Jul 4, 2013

But they haven't given us any direction yet...I'm in drexel's PNP. I don't know how you would start not knowing what they expect from us.

I'd contact the clinical advisor of your school. Like you've heard from us, its tough out there and you'll need to start ASAP..

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jul 4, 2013

I'd contact the clinical advisor of your school. Like you've heard from us, its tough out there and you'll need to start ASAP..

I already have and was told we would get info later.

It's a shame to hear some places won't consider online schools. Seems very judgmental. I'm online at a major university. I can't see how some other brick and mortars are better.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2013

It is never too early to start asking NP's and MD's in your area if they would be able to help you. I started looking approx 6 months in advance which I thought was plenty early, and I still had a lot of difficulty lining up a preceptor, and some of my classmates have yet to find someone. I would contact your state NP association and see if they have a list of NP's, as they may keep lists of NP's that are willing to be preceptors, even in psych or behavioral health.

Sha-Sha RN · Jul 7, 2013

Hi Boston FNP,

I just wanted to find out why your place stopped accepting online students? Was there a problem with the knowledge base or did an error occur? I'm just trying to get a feel if this will be a trend in years to come, especially as more online programs are introduced, even by well know brick & mortar schools. Do they not accept them from brick and mortar schools that have an online program also?

allnurses Guide · Jul 7, 2013

Hi Boston FNP,
I just wanted to find out why your place stopped accepting online students? Was there a problem with the knowledge base or did an error occur? I'm just trying to get a feel if this will be a trend in years to come, especially as more online programs are introduced, even by well know brick & mortar schools. Do they not accept them from brick and mortar schools that have an online program also?

We had a big meeting (for our small practice - though we typically have 4 or 6 students a semester) about how to handle the increasing amount of requests our providers receive. Ultimately it came down to the best experience for both our patients and our students: the only way we can control the quality of both of those experiences is by limiting our preceptorships to programs that have a history of producing quality NPs and have a faculty the is active in the students experience. There are three local brick and mortar programs that have bi-semester site visits to ensure quality student experiences, and we favor those programs. One of them is moving to a online format but we will continue to support those students provided the clinical involvement and the quality education continues.

We, sadly, had several unfortunate experiences with large online programs; this is a small sample size but sufficient for us to avoid using online programs. Two students were grossly underperforming and our efforts to assist them in professional growth was not supported or reinforced by the online faculty. The communication and involvement of the online faculty left much to be desired. The other two students were decently prepared and worked hard, however their program expected us (as providers) to do stacks of seemingly unnecessary paperwork and have evening online meetings with faculty because they were in a different timezone. I never mind helping students after hours work on notes or answer questions, but I don't see why I should have to Skype a faculty member at 8pm when they could instead adjust their schedule to mine.

Sha-Sha RN · Jul 7, 2013

Thanks BostonFNP for your response. I understand completely. I just wanted insight since I am almost at the end of my ANP program online at a proven brick & mortar school in NY, and I have had difficulty in general finding preceptors, but have not come across anyone that said no because they do not take online students.