Paying for clinical placements?

[travelRN555]

I've called 152 clinics in the Atlanta area trying to find a provider that will take an NP student. I finally found an MD that is willing to accept me for the fall, but was informed by her current NP student that the physician charges $200/week for acting as a preceptor and that other places in the area are charge up to $350/week.

I had come across a company that was offering a preceptor matching service for $15/h and thought that was crazy, but is it now the norm to pay for placements?

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

We have to hunt for our own clinicals? I thought the schools had pre-arranged hospitals around the city lined up for clinicals?

You might be so lucky; however, standard practice is that schools may have agreements in place with some locations, but you're on your own in finding a preceptor...at least, until you're so close to the start of clinical and have nothing lined up in Peds or one of the other subspecialties you need to have experience in that your program finally goes to bat for you.

[travelRN555]

Good luck. I'm still waiting to get my papers signed. I have until May 31.

[PG2018]

Why haven't I thought of this?!

[DTWriter]

What is the name of the preceptor matching service?

[travelRN555]

What is the name of the preceptor matching service?

Clinical Match Me

[Buyer beware, BSN]

For NP preceptorships good luck,especially if you are a male (ob/gyn). Lots of unbridled discrimination because no one cares. For all nurses, in most cities the preceptorship field is saturated with other not for profit, for profit NP programs, PA programs and even medical school students vying for slots.

Even if you secure your preceptorships well ahead of time there is no guarantee the offer will still be good when you're ready to do the preceptorship (EVEN if you pay-God forbid). Unfortunately, the reality of this situation is oft times a well kept secret that has disappointed many very good dedicated nurses leaving them with credits that are non-transferrable for the most part and leaving the student stranded not to mention thousands of dollars in debt.

I can't stress this enough. Ask questions and then verify any school's answers by doing a thorough internet search, asking a variety of people who attended the program for their assessment of it, and most of all, have them put it in writing.

Caveat#1, if any schools requires you to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of enrollment, exclude them from consideration. They should stand behind their product without asking you to give up your right to be heard by a jury of your peers if they mislead or over promise.

Remember, there is a lot of time, energy, money and aspirations on the line here, so do your due diligence.

Caveat#2, stick with schools that have good reputations in the community and good relationships contractually or otherwise with preceptors who are historically helpful and are well treated by the school.

[Buyer beware, BSN]

Disheartening yes. Outrageous yes.