Petition to Force NP Programs to Provide Preceptors

Nursing Students NP Students

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I've been reading through some threads, and it seems a large number are people desperately looking for preceptors so they can complete clinicals. I wondered how widespread this problem is, and starting searching online - my results were astounding. There are literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of stories online of people having to drop out of their NP program because they cannot find preceptors. This is absolutely unacceptable. Why is it okay for a program to take your money and not actually provide your education? It's bad for education quality, it's bad for professional perception, and it's just deplorable.

I would like to start a petition to the AACN/CCNE asking them to require NP programs to set up clinical rotations for students in order to gain accreditation. The whole purpose of accreditation is to ensure programs are competent and teaching what needs to be taught, and they are doing potential students a huge disservice by allowing programs to exist that do not meet these standards.

Would anyone else be willing to sign this petition?

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Maybe. Have you asked why schools don't provide preceptors?

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Specializes in Neuroscience, Cardiac Nursing.

I know the school I attended said ( 2 years into my program) they don't find preceptorship for the students because if they did they would have to accept less students into its NP programs. So by making the student find their own preceptorship they can admit more students and not have to stretch the few resources they already have.

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I know the school I attended said ( 2 years into my program) they don't find preceptorship for the students because if they did they would have to accept less students into its NP programs. So by making the student find their own preceptorship they can admit more students and not have to stretch the few resources they already have.

That makes no sense..why would admitting more students mean they stretch their resources less?

Second, it's ridiculous that schools are of the mindset that they need to not provide an education so they can take more students. Why do they need to take more students?? Just be selective and ensure everyone has a quality education. That's a ridiculous argument. Would you rather have a better quality education or more classmates. Schools do not provide preceptors because it's easier not to, and then they can take more students and make more money. The fact that ANYONE could support this practice is sad. It benefits ONLY the school.

I think the AACN should require the following, to be fair to distance programs: All schools must provide clinical sites to students residing within 50 miles of campus. If further, students can arrange their own clinicals, but the school must have a dedicated clinical coordinator who helps set everything up. None of this cold calling crap and leaving it completely up to the student, the schools must take some responsibility here. This would also allow distance programs to continue operating.

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I would sign this petition. I don't know about other professions, but it seems terrible that students should have to find their own preceptor. What if they can't find someone, or have to make due with a less than optimal situation. That is a huge part of the education ,especially if they are in an online program. There should be fewer program seats if there are not enough preceptors. I would have gladly paid more tuition money if a percentage of it went to preceptors, many of whom do this work for free out of the goodness of their hearts. I intend to precept students in the future after a year or so on the job. I feel like it's my opportunity to give back.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I know the school I attended said ( 2 years into my program) they don't find preceptorship for the students because if they did they would have to accept less students into its NP programs. So by making the student find their own preceptorship they can admit more students and not have to stretch the few resources they already have.

Absolutely. Finding preceptors limits income and adds expense.

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Specializes in Pediatics, Family Practice.
I know the school I attended said ( 2 years into my program) they don't find preceptorship for the students because if they did they would have to accept less students into its NP programs. So by making the student find their own preceptorship they can admit more students and not have to stretch the few resources they already have.

Ding ding ding that's why^^^^^

I also believe that that APN programs should provide preceptors. However, it all comes down to the almighty dollar. Many programs are accepting all of the students money and only providing all of the education. I would sign a petition, it would help with the over saturation of our profession.

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There is a shortage but its not as extreme as you envision. In reality there are many more NPs out there that can realistically precept and need to remember how grueling the process was and step up to the plate for future NPs.

The AACN is rightly more concerned in meeting the still dismal healthcare shortage in the USA than in making the job of NP students as easy as possible.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

I would sign it. NP programs should have this responsibility. It's like going to regular nursing school and finding a hospital to precept with? How ridiculous is that?!?!?

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Instead of creating/signing a petition, why not just only sign up for NP programs that provide preceptors?

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Instead of creating/signing a petition, why not just only sign up for NP programs that provide preceptors?

Great point! The main issue here is that by applying only to schools/programs that provide preceptors limit the number of schools you can apply to. In case of Brick and Mortar programs in my area, only two State University Programs are available. One provides preceptors, the other doesn't. The other three private, non-for profit schools are very expensive and would not an option.

In reality, the marketplace should dictate what schools provide to their students. As long as students are willing to attend schools that DO NOT provide preceptors, there will be little or no impetus on the path of a lot of those institutions to do so. At this point in time, the demand is fairly high for NP slots and if students valid programs that provide preceptors, then it is a choice available to them, albeit, at a "higher" cost.

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Instead of creating/signing a petition, why not just only sign up for NP programs that provide preceptors?

This is the exact sort of attitude that causes nothing to get done in this profession. What if someone in North Korea and decided to spend their life dedicated to fighting the corrupt political system there to help everyone else. Would your response simply be "instead of fighting North Korea why don't you just move to another country?"

The point is that the no preceptor thing is bad for the entire profession. It affects ALL NPs, not just those in those programs. It makes the profession look bad while giving great talking points to those that oppose NPs ("did you know they can do their entire program online and choose whoever they want for clinicals, with no school oversight?"), and it allows schools to take hundreds more students than they should since they have absolutely no responsibility, leading to rampant market saturation.

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