any ideas of how to get a NP for clinicals?

mamallama · Feb 24, 2006

I'm starting a distance program through Frontier in May and am facing the same thing. There is a NP locator on NP Central (sorry, can't think of the actual address right now). You could also try looking for a state NP organization or checking with the state board to see if they have an address list. Good luck.

akoster · Feb 25, 2006

I had to find my own preceptors when I was in school. The school I went to had a list of preceptors in the area I lived as they did site checks on all of them. I also tried to find one word of mouth and cold called a few. Some who didn't precept could give me a contact name of someone who might.

spaniel · Mar 1, 2006

I continue to feel that it is outrageous that so many of the NP programs make the student "find" clinical sites and preceptors.Graduate medical,dental, psychology, and most social work schools have prepared sites. There is much for the NP student to work out on their own-malpractice agreements, oversight of the preceptor's actual experience,etc, etc. I once watched an NP who's preceptor was absolutely abysmal, and charged for the visit to boot.

I wish more students would voice their opinions to the NLN or CCNE.

With all this said, I believe that county health departments can be one avenue. Try some local non-profits,though a problem here is that staff is already over extended. But still worth a try.

zenman · Mar 1, 2006

Check out the Indian Health Services and see if they are in your area. I'm in process of getting a contract with them.

johnson0424 · Mar 6, 2006

how did you get in touch with all of them???did you just start calling md offices/clinics? who did you ask to talk to ???office manager???i am fixing to start calling the ones listed in the phone book..i am desperate at this point...

Trauma Columnist · Mar 6, 2006

What about recruiters at local hospitals? They might be willing to help with clinicals in exchange for you working there when you get done. Another option is your college of nursing. They should be more than willing to assist you with finding clinical experiences. That is what you pay them for!

I guess I am lucky as I have had some awesome experiences and have used many wonderful APNs and I thank each of them.

ERNP · May 21, 2006

I had a hard time when looking for preceptors too. But I just called around and found some people. One of them was my family doc and she knew others that would help as well. Also, I used the ER group that I worked with. I spent more time with some and less time with others to round out the whole learning experience. It was the best thing I did. Kept the ideas fresh and got more than one perspective on many things.

On the off hand chance someone is looking, I am willing to precept in a rural middle Tennessee emergency department. Of course the appropriate approvals from hospital administration would be necessary.

zenman · May 21, 2006

I had a hard time when looking for preceptors too. But I just called around and found some people. One of them was my family doc and she knew others that would help as well. Also, I used the ER group that I worked with. I spent more time with some and less time with others to round out the whole learning experience. It was the best thing I did. Kept the ideas fresh and got more than one perspective on many things.
On the off hand chance someone is looking, I am willing to precept in a rural middle Tennessee emergency department. Of course the appropriate approvals from hospital administration would be necessary.

Hey, I'd be interested. I have family in cleveland. Where are you?

ERNP · May 21, 2006

I practice in McMinnville, TN. Cleveland is over the other side of Chattanooga right?

White water rafting country. I love running down the Ocoee with several of my "closest friends".

yellow finch, BSN, RN · May 21, 2006

Yikes! I start clinicals this Fall and hope it isn't too hard to find a preceptor.

Here's that website someone mentioned earlier: http://www.npcentral.net/

platon20 · May 22, 2006

I continue to feel that it is outrageous that so many of the NP programs make the student "find" clinical sites and preceptors.Graduate medical,dental, psychology, and most social work schools have prepared sites. There is much for the NP student to work out on their own-malpractice agreements, oversight of the preceptor's actual experience,etc, etc. I once watched an NP who's preceptor was absolutely abysmal, and charged for the visit to boot.
I wish more students would voice their opinions to the NLN or CCNE.
With all this said, I believe that county health departments can be one avenue. Try some local non-profits,though a problem here is that staff is already over extended. But still worth a try.

Yes its absolutely outrageous.

NP programs should include dedicated training sites with prearranged preceptors.

Any NP program that does not do this is PRICE GOUGING YOU! They are stealing your money and you are paying for SERVICES NOT RENDERED!

TAke a look at how med schools, dental schools, PA schools, pharmacy schools, etc operate. ALL of them included dedicated training sites/preceptors for clinicals and you are not required to find your own.

Any program that doesnt set this up for you is just greedy and trying to price gouge you. Please consider folks why are you paying these people if they arent going to provide these services which are absolutely required for graduation/licensing.