How to find a preceptor

[jldavis1]

I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post it I'm getting a little anxious. I'm in my first clinical course of my FNP program and don't have a preceptor yet. We won't be releases from our instructors to actually go into the field until mid October, but I'm running out of time. I've only been in my location for just now a year and am not currently working so I don't have any professional contacts. I was told by the school when I first started not to do anything with a preceptor till given the go ahead but I should have at least started this process. How do you all prefer to be contacted by a student seeking a preceptor? Phone call, in person with resume and intention letter? I'm leaning towards the latter. Any insight would be helpful. Thank you.

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

I have been contacted directly by students and schools. I have three schools that routinely contact me via e-mail (they usually contact my office manager), I have been precepting their students for 10 years. Students usually call the office directly.

[jldavis1]

Do you prefer phone contact initially or would it be overstepping to show up in person. My school, while brick and mortar, doesn't assist in finding a preceptor. I was planning on stopping by the local clinics with a resume and a letter that states my goals of clinical this semester (48 hours of physical assessment and history taking). --also, thank you for the response.

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

I prefer a phone call first to make sure I have set aside enough time to meet with the student. I then encourage students to come to the office to meet me and make sure it will be a good fit for them. We are a small private practice and I often have my dog in the office, so I like to make sure the student will be comfortable with our office.

[jldavis1]

Thank you for your insight. I think I'll have a few resumes printed and ready to go, but make initial contact through phone call. I have reached out by email to some providers who have listed themselves on our state's preceptor list but haven't heard back from any. I'll give them a follow up call too. I just hate this limbo period and really wish I had some inside connections.