How to find clinical sites on my own in Georgia!

Published

I am looking into Lpn-rn bridge programs and I know that the Georgia board of Nursing will require me to complete additional clinical hours before I can sit for the NCLEX, but I have no idea how to find clinical sites or preceptors! Do they have to be approved by the GA Board of Nursing? I don't want to pay all the money and go through the stress for nothing! Excelsior seems like a great option for me....but I am at a loss for clinical sites. Thanks for any help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You would need to discuss this with the GBON. They must approve the site, etc., and I believe they currently have a suggested location in Macon for this.

If you go to the GBON website and look at their forms, they have guidance documents regarding the preceptorship:

Download Forms

If you don't foresee being able to locate a preceptor, then this program is probably not a good fit. But talk to the GBON first, they might have more location suggestions for you. Where in Georgia do you live? Not specifics, just the region. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live in NW Georgia and am within an hours drive of several hospitals, but most only do preceptorships with local colleges. I am trying to set up meeting with most of them to see if they would work with me, but it is hard to get in contact with the right people. I have contacted the GBON and was told that they did not have " any information regarding available preceptorships for students". I just feel like I am missing critical information. I know I am not the only person who has needed this type of information. Maybe I am asking the wrong questions? í ½í¸•

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My hospital (I'm not in Georgia) requires you to be a student of schools they are affiliated with to use the hospital as a clinical site. Excelsior is not one of those schools. Hospitals may have a hard time letting am unsupervised student (no clinical instructor) loose in the hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I live in NW Georgia and am within an hours drive of several hospitals, but most only do preceptorships with local colleges. I am trying to set up meeting with most of them to see if they would work with me, but it is hard to get in contact with the right people. I have contacted the GBON and was told that they did not have " any information regarding available preceptorships for students". I just feel like I am missing critical information. I know I am not the only person who has needed this type of information. Maybe I am asking the wrong questions?

Hmmmm, I guess the GBON is no longer assisting with placement. Where do you work now, what about your current employer? Are you close enough to another state to work outside of Georgia?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Hospitals may have a hard time letting am unsupervised student (no clinical instructor) loose in the hospital.

That's not what it would be — this is a structured learning process with signed agreements between the GBON and preceptor, and the EC grad is in that gray area between student and licensed nurse because they have already finished school. Heck, some of the people who do this preceptorship might even be experienced RNs in non-acute specialties. Not your typical nursing students, for sure!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

One last thing: there is a Facebook group called "Excelsior Nursing" with more than 4000 members, some of whom are in Georgia. If you search for that title on Facebook, you should find it and can request to join, and post your question there. I'm sure someone there can help you. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
I live in NW Georgia and am within an hours drive of several hospitals, but most only do preceptorships with local colleges. I am trying to set up meeting with most of them to see if they would work with me, but it is hard to get in contact with the right people. I have contacted the GBON and was told that they did not have " any information regarding available preceptorships for students". I just feel like I am missing critical information. I know I am not the only person who has needed this type of information. Maybe I am asking the wrong questions? ������

Is relocation or traveling an option for you? Meaning, if you can get hired at a facility (hospital) that still welcomes LPNs, that facility's education department could be very instrumental in coordinating the required preceptorship when the time comes. Living in any corner of the state would work in your favor, if Excelsior College is your only option, because you could check the bordering states' requirements, take the NCLEX for the neighboring state, and work in that state until you can endorse over to Georgia. What you seek can be done within the state but it might have to start with securing employment in a hospital that is a 'teaching' hospital with all of the preceptorship areas like PEDs, OB, etc.

Mind you, once you find this, the training you seek might come with stipulations for after you receive your permanent license, i.e., 1-2 years full time employment to settle your tab. Start by expanding your search. How do you feel about Georgia's east coast?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, I will look them up on fb. I guess Excelsior isn't going to be a good fit for me. I would be devastated to get all the way through the courses and not be able to find a preceptorí ½í¸©

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment