Looking for preceptor

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Jan 19, 2015

I made a small presentation...letter of intro including information on my past experiences, why I had returned to school for my degree, and why I was looking at this particular practice (butter em up). Anyway, I also included a copy of the school's basic philosophy and a rundown on the class that I would be doing the rotation in the particular office. I then got all dressed up and made cold calls to the OFFICE MANAGER. I quickly explained why I was there and asked if I could leave my portfolio for the practitioner to review and then could I call in x days to find out if there was a possibility of me coming in or talking on the telephone to the practitioner. I did really well on ALL my sites EXCEPT women's health. I live in a predominately older community and the CNM who was at the health department up and retired 3 months prior to my rotation. I scrambled around and was unsuccessful finding an actual OB/GYN office, but was able to utilize one of my regular sites and worked with the female practitioners. May not have gotten to see a lot of infections and stuff, but I became proficient in pap smears and pelvics and was able to follow through the course without any major difficulty.

rn2728 · Jan 20, 2015

Nice ideas

Jules A, MSN · Jan 21, 2015

All of my preceptors were physicians I knew from working. Definitely ask those who already know you!

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 21, 2015

I made a small presentation...letter of intro including information on my past experiences, why I had returned to school for my degree, and why I was looking at this particular practice (butter em up). Anyway, I also included a copy of the school's basic philosophy and a rundown on the class that I would be doing the rotation in the particular office. I then got all dressed up and made cold calls to the OFFICE MANAGER. I quickly explained why I was there and asked if I could leave my portfolio for the practitioner to review and then could I call in x days to find out if there was a possibility of me coming in or talking on the telephone to the practitioner. I did really well on ALL my sites EXCEPT women's health. I live in a predominately older community and the CNM who was at the health department up and retired 3 months prior to my rotation. I scrambled around and was unsuccessful finding an actual OB/GYN office, but was able to utilize one of my regular sites and worked with the female practitioners. May not have gotten to see a lot of infections and stuff, but I became proficient in pap smears and pelvics and was able to follow through the course without any major difficulty.

Great advice. I also started by just calling and asking each office of the providers accepted students. Many in my hometown don't. Or some have an allegiance with the local PA program so they had a commitment to those students. It was a little tough and aggravating at times but doable.

I didn't think of making a portfolio which would have been so nice and professional! I basically got a call back from office managers saying if they were willing to take a student or not. When I went to meet with the MD/NP to get papers signed I typed up an information sheet with my program directors information, dates of the semester, how many days per week, types of patients to see for that semester, my information, etc.

I also would make a calendar and provide it to the office when we discussed which days were better for me to be there. I saw many reference it throughout the semester. It was easy to do in Microsoft Word.

danielle2000, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2015

Great advice! I am starting my Adult geriatric rotation in a couple of months and I am at my wits end to begin this task. I work in the NICU which has nothing to do with adult medicine so you can imagine my frustration. Your tips are most helpful. Good luck to yah!!! :laugh:

TransplantRN3 · Feb 6, 2015

I just wanted to inquire about finding a preceptor. The university family nurse practitioner online program has encouraged us to find our own preceptors for all three clinical (adult, pediatrics, OB/Gyn. I live in Prince George County and the preceptor can be MD or FNP. I looked up a few of family practices I know of on the internet and found a few. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to approach or inquire about a preceptorship from these complete strangers? Has anyone else gone through this? I am looking the in the Washington DC, VA or Prince Georges/Montgomery county area, let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks.

I live in the same area as you and was responsible for finding all of my preceptors. If you join NPAM (as a student), you have access to their preceptor lists, which has tons of contact info for NPs in MD that are willing to be preceptors. Worth a try! Good luck! Also, be sure to line up preceptorships in advance. Sometimes I would hear from the preceptor that they were already booked out several semester, so the further ahead you can make an agreement, the better.

llisamar · Feb 6, 2015

I an a current NPAM member and FNP student in the DMV. The NPAM preceptor list is a good starting point just know that it is not the most accurate and it is really needs to be updated. FYI, I know of a few student members who did not have any luck with the preceptor list.