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?

Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

We actually don't need statistical data to understand problems in the way NP programs are accredited and allowed to operate.

These accreditation standards speak for themselves:

MD program accreditation standards: http://www.lcme.org/publications/2015-16-functions-and-structure-with-appendix.pdf

PA program accreditation standards: http://www.arc-pa.org/documents/Standards4theditionwithclarifyingchanges9.2013%20FNL.pdf

AACN accreditation standards via CCNE (the go to for the NP field): http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation/Standards-Amended-2013.pdf

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We actually don't need statistical data to understand problems in the way NP programs are accredited and allowed to operate.

These accreditation standards speak for themselves:

MD program accreditation standards: http://www.lcme.org/publications/2015-16-functions-and-structure-with-appendix.pdf

PA program accreditation standards: http://www.arc-pa.org/documents/Standards4theditionwithclarifyingchanges9.2013%20FNL.pdf

AACN accreditation standards via CCNE (the go to for the NP field): http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation/Standards-Amended-2013.pdf

Wow, yes it's very pathetic. The AACN needs to get their act together. Does no one ask them about this or try to change this at the national level? Do none of the people who have power at the AACN care about this huge disparity which is quickly becoming the Achilles heel for NP equality?

From the PA accreditation standards: A1.11 The sponsoring institution must support the program in securing clinical sites and preceptors in sufficient numbers for program-required clinical practice experiences.

From MD standards: A medical school has, or is assured the use of, appropriate resources for the clinical instruction of its medical students in ambulatory and inpatient settings and has adequate numbers and types of patients (e.g., acuity, case mix, age, gender).

From Np standards: Vague, very little requirements of anything really..

Very embarrassing for the profession. NPs are shooting themselves in the foot with this.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

There are more elaboration on this AACN document "Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, 2012". Preceptors are discussed in pages 11 - 13. The document does say and I quote "Adequate faculty, clinical sites, and preceptors are available to support the NP clinical, educational experiences". I would actually interpret that statement as the program MUST make sure there are available preceptors for its students. What I don't understand is how not providing for preceptors doesn't automatically render a program to be in violation of this criteria. Either AACN is lax in enforcing this criteria or schools are lying to AACN during site visits. There is a complaint line to reach AACN and I think dissatisfied students should use it.

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There are more elaboration on this AACN document "Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, 2012". Preceptors are discussed in pages 11 - 13. The document does say and I quote "Adequate faculty, clinical sites, and preceptors are available to support the NP clinical, educational experiences". I would actually interpret that statement as the program MUST make sure there are available preceptors for its students. What I don't understand is how not providing for preceptors doesn't automatically render a program to be in violation of this criteria. Either AACN is lax in enforcing this criteria or schools are lying to AACN during site visits. There is a complaint line to reach AACN and I think dissatisfied students should use it.

That's very interesting. By their own document, all of these schools that require students to find their own preceptors should not even have accreditation. How on earth are they getting around that?

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Specializes in Emergency.
There are more elaboration on this AACN document "Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, 2012". Preceptors are discussed in pages 11 - 13. The document does say and I quote "Adequate faculty, clinical sites, and preceptors are available to support the NP clinical, educational experiences". I would actually interpret that statement as the program MUST make sure there are available preceptors for its students. What I don't understand is how not providing for preceptors doesn't automatically render a program to be in violation of this criteria. Either AACN is lax in enforcing this criteria or schools are lying to AACN during site visits. There is a complaint line to reach AACN and I think dissatisfied students should use it.

I would think that would be a matter of interpretation. My school provides many resources including a database of all current and former preceptors, several guides on how to network with providers, identify potential preceptors as well as faculty members who are there to assist the students in the process of finding preceptors. Staff who's entire role is to help facilitate the students search and obtaining of preceptors, etc.

Once preceptors are identified, there is a very strict review process for both the individual and the site and then once approved there are site visits as well as consistent monitoring during the clinical practicum. I know that there have been times when students have been unable to obtain a preceptor in their local community and have had to travel to a clinical facility that was obtained in another town or even state because of this. I know that the students were not happy to have to travel, or to foot that bill for living somewhere else, but I think it certainly qualifies for meeting the statement you outlined.

I wonder if my programs practices are based upon their having to do this for their CNM program for many decades now, as I don't see this issue raised as often by CNM students as it is by NP students.

It sounds like my program is very different than some other programs, and I would guess that if a program is telling students they are out of luck if they can't find a preceptor, well, that would not meet that criteria.

Again, my only beef with this is that I don't think we need to stop allowing students to find their own preceptors, as the title suggests. Rather, we need to identify and improve the oversight of the programs that are not fulfilling their portion of the requirements.

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When I first started thinking about returning to school for my FNP I was unaware I would have to find my own preceptors. There are several NP programs in my area, I live in a rural area so all of us are looking for preceptors, when I went to nursing school you where sent to a certain hospital for clinicals," not hunt and seek", my school dose not even offer a list of preceptors to contact. I am paying a lot of money for this education and feel this should be the school responsibility. Until reading the quote from Juan I was unaware of this document. Several physicians have said when hiring, they look closely at where you do your clinical training, and consider hiring PAs more since they have rotations instead of wherever they can find a preceptor. This makes me wonder about the future of NPs being hired

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NO and you cannot get your degree until you finish the required hours

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

Much ado about nothing. So there are 'lackluster' NP programs out there. (yawn) I didn't go to one of them, and I just feel sorry for the students that do. The cream rises to the top, I'm going to be fine. Stop comparing everything for dog's sake. None of this is a contest. Again, what I always say: go to the very best school that will take you, study your heart out. Ignore naysayers and negative Nancys. Do your thing. The end.

I don't precept, so I can't throw stones. It takes too much time and I don't have a proclivity for it.

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Much ado about nothing. So there are 'lackluster' NP programs out there. (yawn) I didn't go to one of them, and I just feel sorry for the students that do. The cream rises to the top, I'm going to be fine. Stop comparing everything for dog's sake. None of this is a contest. Again, what I always say: go to the very best school that will take you, study your heart out. Ignore naysayers and negative Nancys. Do your thing. The end.

I don't precept, so I can't throw stones. It takes too much time and I don't have a proclivity for it.

I don't think it's much ado about nothing to care about the future of your profession. Anyone pretending they operate in an isolated bubble is unrealistic.

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As a former ER nurse, I knew many doctors and NP's from a variety of specialties. Because of this, I specifically chose an NP program that allowed me to choose my own preceptor.

While planning which NP program to choose, costs, time involved, etc; I also spoke with NP's and physicians I encountered that I thought would be great preceptors. So while interviewing NP programs, I also interviewed potential preceptors as well. By the time I was ready for clinical I had my preceptors lined up already.

I worried if the school 'pre-picked' or 'pre-designated' preceptors I would be stuck, especially, if there was any type of conflict. (I had some horrible preceptors in my RN program). I would consider speaking with the university counselors for health prior to protesting anything. I went on and obtained a doctorate of nursing degree as well. I was also able to choose my own mentor for that and am happy with my choices.

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I would definitely sign a petition....this was one of the hardest parts of the MSN program for me. So much wasted time, energy, and worry about whether I would find willing preceptors...one of which was terrible! This would streamline the clinical rotation process and give further options available for specialties that you might not have had access too.

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Specializes in critical care, pain manangement..

I agree the NP programs should at minimum provide a list of local NP's (including contact info) willing to precept students or that have been preceptors in the past. It is a starting point for the NP student. The program I attended did not assist with locating preceptor sites but was constantly mid semester telling students their location was unacceptable. We didn't loss any students but I think everyone ended up doing more clinical time then was required due to this.

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