looking FNP Preceptorship advice San Diego

MiguelSierra · Feb 17, 2015

Hey,

I am having the same dilemma...nobody wants to precept...I do not blame them since nobody wants to be "slowed down" by a student on tow! But, how are we going to get through if we don't comply with that requirement!

I'd like to know more about your situation...feel free to email me...i live in South Bay, and work in the ICU in a local hospital.

Miguel

ChellyFutureNP · Mar 12, 2015

Finding preceptors in San Diego is HARD!!! I attended a couple of CANP meetings (most NP professors would advice u to do so) and asked for help from their president (forgot name) but she never replied to my emails. I talked to someone from their office and they told me to pay for membership first so they could help... But i got offended by that remark. Why ask for money before helping someone... Esp a student? Also, there was no guarantee if they would be able to find me a preceptor anyway.

What i did was talk to so many doctors, nurses, and friends. I asked around... If they knew an NP or a doctor or knew someone who may know someone. The doctors i met at one clinic recommended me to an OB doctor who was willing to become my preceptor due to the other doctor's recommendations. Then after a few months of search, i only met a Pain NP and then decided to follow her for a few days. Then when i met her, i asked whether she knew someone who could help and luckily, she has a bestfriend who works as a communty health NP... I dont think i would have ever found a preceptor without netwroking with other providers. Dont be afraid to ask them if they could precept u if u found somone!

Wish u all the luck! Wish i could help but these preceptors are already booked for next semester. The other one found a new job farther away. Then my favorite preceptor refuses to take students except me since another doctor asked her personally to precept me.

If i meet one, i will let u know. :)

anyasd · Mar 14, 2015

Chelly and Miguel,

Thank you so much for the replies and advice. I am currently halfway done with my first 185 hour clinical course. I am going to share with you that at first I was reluctant to ask people for help. I thought I would be able to find a preceptor on my own. I always get things done.

Boy, was I mistaken. I quickly realized that if I don't start asking for serious help, I will not be able to start clinicals. I literally missed the deadline for preceptor submission by almost two weeks and luckily I was recommended by my previous boss to an MD who was kind enough to accept me, made an exception, as this MD normally precepts Medical students only. I had to beg my school to approve the site last minute. I am now spending time every day coming up with creative ideas on how to get placement for my next class. I am looking everywhere I can on the Web (one example LinkedIn) and asking everyone for help. If you speak a foreign language, use that. In San Diego, one must have connections in order to get anywhere. I have been in the health are field for a short time and I don't have many acquaintances in the field. Moreover, my NP school does not have contracts in place with local clinics - not only will I have to find my own preceptor for each course, but the school has basically no current contracts even with major FQHCs. So I have to attempt to negotiate contracts.

I have joined CANP and I attended a meeting, which I would definitely recommend, as some attendees may be helpful.

What surprises me most in my search, is the lack of response from the NP's. I feel that they are hiding somewhere. I wish that NP's who are in the field would still remember that someone has given them a chance to learn. I know that the clinics require the NP's to see a lot of patients and it extremely busy, but how can new students get any clinical hours if nobody is willing to place them and mentor. Is it right to ask the students to pay an hourly fee to the preceptor for shadowing them?

Looking forward to further conversation. I will post my updates.

Sincerely,

Anna

ChellyFutureNP · Mar 18, 2015

Chelly and Miguel,
Thank you so much for the replies and advice. I am currently halfway done with my first 185 hour clinical course. I am going to share with you that at first I was reluctant to ask people for help. I thought I would be able to find a preceptor on my own. I always get things done.
Boy, was I mistaken. I quickly realized that if I don't start asking for serious help, I will not be able to start clinicals. I literally missed the deadline for preceptor submission by almost two weeks and luckily I was recommended by my previous boss to an MD who was kind enough to accept me, made an exception, as this MD normally precepts Medical students only. I had to beg my school to approve the site last minute. I am now spending time every day coming up with creative ideas on how to get placement for my next class. I am looking everywhere I can on the Web (one example LinkedIn) and asking everyone for help. If you speak a foreign language, use that. In San Diego, one must have connections in order to get anywhere. I have been in the health are field for a short time and I don't have many acquaintances in the field. Moreover, my NP school does not have contracts in place with local clinics - not only will I have to find my own preceptor for each course, but the school has basically no current contracts even with major FQHCs. So I have to attempt to negotiate contracts.
I have joined CANP and I attended a meeting, which I would definitely recommend, as some attendees may be helpful.
What surprises me most in my search, is the lack of response from the NP's. I feel that they are hiding somewhere. I wish that NP's who are in the field would still remember that someone has given them a chance to learn. I know that the clinics require the NP's to see a lot of patients and it extremely busy, but how can new students get any clinical hours if nobody is willing to place them and mentor. Is it right to ask the students to pay an hourly fee to the preceptor for shadowing them?
Looking forward to further conversation. I will post my updates.
Sincerely,
Anna

Yes, your situation sounds very familiar! I didn't get any response from most of the NPs i called anf emailed either. I know people that have offered $10/hr for these preceptors but at the same time, i dont know why they would want a student to pay them? Let me ask around and see how i could help. I have posted an ad on craigslist before but received no response. Did u try to ask this MD that you are following now? They usually have connections.

sungrl22 · May 13, 2015

Hello everyone,

I am also in a similar boat to you all. I have been an RN for the past 4 years in the South Bay on a PCU/DOU floor and a few other floors. I am just beginning my first clinical rotation and our school also seems to be struggling to accommodate the number of students in our program needing a primary care rotation. In fact, I'm already thinking I should be planning ahead to look for a peds and OB/Gyn rotation. I had one possible lead which fell through and I just left a message for my own MD to see if he knows anyone I could go with before I get too far behind this semester. I am a member of the CANP as well. I wish it was easier to find a preceptor and I will definitely post if I get any leads as to which providers are willing to accept NP students.

lmcnicho · Sep 3, 2015

Anyone have any updates on progress with finding preceptors in the San Diego area? I am new to San Diego and looking for preceptors. It is quite difficult and stressful. I have joined CANP and attended a meeting. I am hoping with time, I will make connections and find preceptors. If anyone has any ideas or contacts, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,

Leigh