Please Help - I need a Preceptor (Acute Care)

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I am a BSN medsurg nurse working in one of the biggest hospitals in the Carolinas. I have been in this role for over 4yrs . Before that I was a Rehab Nurse for 4yrs. I have been working hard taking an online Acute Care NP program. Will be completing the course work in a month's time and clinicals will be next. Unfortunately my school does not help when it comes to finding a preceptor. I had found one person who was willing to help me but then my school revised the list of institutions / practices that they allow students to precept at. The revised list excluded pain care clinics which is where the individual who wanted to help me works. I am worried and frustrated as all other prospects either complain about their work load and how they do not have time or simply take my email but I never hear back from them. One thing that they all agree including my current manager is am a great nurse and will make a great NP.

Am appealing to anyone in Charlotte, NC area and surrounding cities to assist me. I don't mind driving far or even travelling to get this done and gain the experience I desire. Thank you and look forward to your response

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

This forum is anonymous and probably isn't the best place to find preceptors. Try your local NP associations first. Also, look up MDs in your areas (hospital physician groups) and ask if they could help.

If you cannot find your own preceptors, per CCNE standards (if your NP program is accredited by CCNE), your NP program is required to find placement for you. See the following link.

http://sawyerinitiative.com/news-and-development/formalcomplaint/

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Great advice above but don't be surprised if the school still won't help you with placement. I called 6 schools (online and brick and mortar) and brought up the Sawyer initiative and each place basically said that's nice....you still have to find your own preceptor. The schools won't change unless we make them. EVERY student has to file together on this or the insanity of begging for preceptor placement will never change.

I still want to know what the clinical experience/ placement employees at these colleges actually do ..... because they sure don't do what their name implies. From what I am told by other students these people just give you a list of clinics in your area you can try to beg your way into.

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Hello. I am currently enrolled in the psych NP program at Maryville University and I had to call around to find preceptors. You can look on your state APRN association websites. Or just google NP in your area and do some cold calls. I was able to find three NP in my area for clinical. It’s not easy but if you call a bunch of places you may be successful

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

Hello,

I found it helpful instead of just cold-calling prospective preceptors, actually go in and ask to speak to them. I always took a folder with my resume, the school's expectation of preceptors, etc and gave to them. I wasn't turned down once. I graduate in May and have my preceptors lined up (god-willing), without making a single cold call or email.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
On 7/20/2019 at 2:08 PM, bryanleo9 said:

Great advice above but don't be surprised if the school still won't help you with placement. I called 6 schools (online and brick and mortar) and brought up the Sawyer initiative and each place basically said that's nice....you still have to find your own preceptor. The schools won't change unless we make them. EVERY student has to file together on this or the insanity of begging for preceptor placement will never change.

I'm not surprised. Schools won't do much until the complaints start to come in and if they're threatened with loss of accreditation. I also have my doubts about CCNE's seriousness in this matter. But in the end, if students continue to pay for poor-quality education in exchange for a convenient and/or easy route to NP, these programs will continue to exist.

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your hospital system may have an office for Advanced Practice Provider placement or something similar. There are usually deadlines to apply to such things though but my understanding is that they help connect you with preceptors within the network and possibly recruit you once you graduate.

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Thank you all for your responses. I have made several contacts and am hopeful something will yield.

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