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Discussion

Need advice!

Hi everyone,

I am going through what seems to be quite an ordeal lately and I feel like there is no easy answer to my problem. I am currently enrolled in the PMHNP program at the University of Cincinnati distance learning. When I started the program last January I did not know about the accreditation changes and discontinuation of the program as of 2014. This meant I could not take any time off. I found out 2 weeks into my program I was pregnant with my second child and had thoughts then of how I would manage courses full-time with a new baby, but I felt I could do it. Then, the struggle to find a preceptor began. I also did not know that the school provided no help whatsoever in the process. In fact, If I do not find a preceptor I was told I'd simply not be able to finish the program. Well, I have contact 30 practitioners in the area (I live in VT) and have not gotten one bite. The only person willing to take me is in Michigan. I reached out to someone there because my husband's mother lives there. She has been offering for me and the kids to come stay with her if it came down to it. Now he husband has malignant melanoma and she recounted the offer (which is understandable). My husband is trying to find a job out there. I am not currently working so we are dependant upon his income. In order for me to get out there for January, I'd have to either get an apt and go by myself with the baby and my 4 yr old would stay with my husband in VT. Or, if he finds a job in time, we have to sell our house, pack up in the middle of the semester when the baby is a month old and move out to MI. I know this sounds insane, but I don't know what else to do. I can try to transfer into the FNP track but that will push my graduation back to 2015 if I take next semester off and I'll still have to go through the stress of securing preceptors for 3 semesters, instead of 2 with my current program. I sat down and cried today, feeling totally defeated. I've spent $15,000 so far and have maintained all A's in my courses. I can't get back the $4800 I spent thus far this term now and will not be able to transfer the psych course to the fnp. If anyone has any words of wisdom, I could certainly use them now more than ever. I am going to decide over the weekend whether I will drop out of my program. Thanks for your time to read this long message. I've always had luck with people reaching out and replying on this site. Thanks,

Amanda

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    I can completely sympathize with what you are going through (except for the pregnant part!). I think that securing preceptors is the most difficult and frustrating part of my FNP program. My advice would be first to keep calling. This semester after exhausting the "list" our school provides which is completely outdated, I googled practices in my region of North Texas and started making cold calls. I also looked for NP professional associations that had websites - many of them had NP locator functions that provided lists of specific specialties and several had email addresses for those NP's. I probably made about 100 calls and sent 50 or so emails before being able to secure sites for this semester. Please don't give up yet on staying close to your husband and home.

    I hope you are able to find something - I have spent hours crying and even had my first-ever panic attack over worry that I would have to drop because I couldn't get clinical hours.

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    Please don't give up! I too had the same problem here in Miami with securing my own preceptors. I googled the specialties and began calling day after day. Right when I felt defeated, I found my preceptor! Continue to pray or meditate and something will be bound to happen! You've come this far so please stick with it! Good luck:up:

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    Hi Amanda,

    I was in the same situation as you a few weeks ago and I'm even in your program (PMHNP at UofC distance). I'm also pregnant with my second child. It is difficult but don't give up, if I can do it you can do it. I finally found a preceptor position by calling every PMHNP and psychiatrist in town. Our program allows us to use a psychiatrist, which you might already know. I also began networking with people that might have connections to NP's. I hope you are still in the program, message me if you need any support or help.

    Wendy

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    Would you mind sharing your clinical preceptors info [email protected] I really need help

    Please don't give up! I too had the same problem here in Miami with securing my own preceptors. I googled the specialties and began calling day after day. Right when I felt defeated, I found my preceptor! Continue to pray or meditate and something will be bound to happen! You've come this far so please stick with it! Good luck:up:
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