How did you find NP Clinical Sites

Published

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

How did you all find clinical locations? I am starting clinical in the fall, and since I am responsible for finding my own spots and then they have to get approved through school. I would like to start trying to hunt down spots next semester. I have heard horror stories from class mates that haven't found spots/put off finding spots and end up not graduating on time.

I am only allowed to do primary care locations and ER's, no acute care or rounding with an NP in the hospital. I would love to do a rotation in the ER, just not sure how to get in contact with a hospital to set that up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical/Oncology, Family Practice.

I contacted HR and office managers. Just cold called them telling them what I needed for clinical sites.

My hardest one to get was my peds clinical site, as there are very few peds nps in my area, I ended up with an MD. After that, I had met some NP preceptors and got my foot in the door.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

My school finds us preceptors and we have to contact them and set up clinical days and times.

Are there any large teaching hospitals near you? maybe contact DONs at hospitals to see if they will take on NP students. As for primary care you might have to go to different offices and call etc. good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
My school finds us preceptors and we have to contact them and set up clinical days and times.

Are there any large teaching hospitals near you? maybe contact DONs at hospitals to see if they will take on NP students. As for primary care you might have to go to different offices and call etc. good luck

My school will find clinical sites, however I drive out of state to attend NP school and would much rather find clinical sites near me. I have spoke with my dean and she is fine with me finding my own sites, as long as they get approved by the school, they have had other students in similar situations in the past.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had to find clinicals for NP school and will have to find them for DNP school now. Here's what I found worked...

Join the local NP organization in your area. A google search will help you find it. They typically help you find preceptors or at least allow you to mingle with others and get recommendations.

I put together my CV and a letter of introduction. Then did an internet search of all the local sites around me and got the office manager's name. I got dressed up and one day went door to door with CV and letter in hand and tried to get in to meet the office manager. If they weren't available, I left my papers and called them to follow up later. I managed to get clinical sites this way.

Network. You never know who knows whom. I had a fellow nurse who had a brother who was a DO. A preceptor who unfortunately got laid off before we started referred me to another preceptor. A previous nursing school instructor who worked part time in a free clinic turned out to be the best preceptor I could have asked for.

Lastly, the Take Care Health clinic takes students. Go to their website and apply. You might get lucky.

Best of luck. It's not easy, but also not impossible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I had to find clinicals for NP school and will have to find them for DNP school now. Here's what I found worked...

Join the local NP organization in your area. A google search will help you find it. They typically help you find preceptors or at least allow you to mingle with others and get recommendations.

I put together my CV and a letter of introduction. Then did an internet search of all the local sites around me and got the office manager's name. I got dressed up and one day went door to door with CV and letter in hand and tried to get in to meet the office manager. If they weren't available, I left my papers and called them to follow up later. I managed to get clinical sites this way.

Network. You never know who knows whom. I had a fellow nurse who had a brother who was a DO. A preceptor who unfortunately got laid off before we started referred me to another preceptor. A previous nursing school instructor who worked part time in a free clinic turned out to be the best preceptor I could have asked for.

Lastly, the Take Care Health clinic takes students. Go to their website and apply. You might get lucky.

Best of luck. It's not easy, but also not impossible.

Wow, thanks Goofeegirl. You gave me some really helpful advice. I live in a tri state area and I did look at the 3 states NP organizations and 1 of them actually says on their website they keep a list of NP's willing to be preceptors, so I may join.

Any advice on how to get into an ER?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion