PMHNP, Guaranteed Preceptors?

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Specializes in LTACH/Stepdown ICU.

Good morning all.

 

I've recently completed my BSN, and am now looking to start a psychiatric nurse practitioner program next year.

The main problem I'm dealing with is trying to find a school (preferably online but B&M is fine) that can and will guarantee you your preceptors. It was a nightmare just trying to find one preceptor for my Capstone during 2020.

Multiple suggestions have been offered to me, but then when I call them they say they don't guarantee preceptors.

 

Any recommendations for a PMHNP program/school that doesn't leave you hanging on this?

 

Thank you.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

There are pretty much zero schools that will find your preceptors.  Sorry, but that is the truth.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

If you're able to move, there should be plenty of PMHNP programs that will guarantee preceptors. Most PMHNP programs attached to highly reputable schools will guarantee preceptors. 

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
On 10/27/2021 at 7:30 PM, umbdude said:

If you're able to move, there should be plenty of PMHNP programs that will guarantee preceptors. Most PMHNP programs attached to highly reputable schools will guarantee preceptors. 

That has not been my experience.  Many PMHNP programs are now online, including highly reputable schools such as Hopkins, Vanderbilt, etc.  If the student happens to live in the same town as the school, then yes, the schools can probably get preceptors.  However, for online students who do not live in the same town as the school, even the best schools no longer guarantee preceptors.

 

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

Yes, I mean if OP can move to live in the same area where the brick & mortar school is located. It'd be unreasonable to expect a school 1-2 thousand miles away could guarantee preceptors.

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On 11/1/2021 at 11:01 PM, umbdude said:

It'd be unreasonable to expect a school 1-2 thousand miles away could guarantee preceptors.

Why would that be unreasonable?

What is unreasonable is the idea of collecting tuition dollars when unable or unwilling to make similar provisions available to all students.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
3 hours ago, JKL33 said:

Why would that be unreasonable?

What is unreasonable is the idea of collecting tuition dollars when unable or unwilling to make similar provisions available to all students.

I agree. If it's up to me, online programs that don't guarantee preceptors shouldn't exist. I'm simply saying that prospective students, when they're applying to an online program, cannot reasonably expect a school so far away to guarantee local placements. That's because clinical placement relies on local connection. I went to an in-person brick & mortar reputable program, and my program puts in immense effort to make connections locally (and nearby states within an hour drive) to guarantee preceptors for every cohort. That's why the program I went to only accept a limited number of students and all students are local. Even if the school has the resources, it cannot reach the west coast (I'm on the east coast), for example, especially when there are plenty of local programs in that area already.

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@umbdude: Agree!

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Specializes in LTACH/Stepdown ICU.

Good evening all.

So far I've got Wilkes University on my list. They have PMHNP program and they advertise helping to find preceptors. Have called them twice and left voicemails last week and still haven't gotten any response.

Have heard about Gonzaga but not finding a PMHNP program from them.

 

My coworker just mentioned Carson/Newman university in Jefferson city, and looking into it now.

 

They don't need to "guarantee" preceptors, but at least work with me while I'm trying to secure them. As long as it's not 100% all on my shoulders.

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8 minutes ago, Wake88 said:

They don't need to "guarantee" preceptors, but at least work with me while I'm trying to secure them. As long as it's not 100% all on my shoulders.

Keep in mind if they specifically state that they "will help but can't guarantee a placement," then it is essentially on your shoulders.

The way this works is that "helping" could be as little as saying they called some of their contacts and they don't have any availability. Or they left some messages somewhere and never heard back.

In my opinion none of these programs (I don't care who, where or how "prestigious") should be able to run without contracts in place securing X number of spots for clinical rotations for the students whose tuition money is being taken. Period.

I suspect the main reason they (more and more) can't guarantee any spots is because they are pushing students though like cramming cattle through a chute.

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