preceptor help!!!!

BChapp3182 · Sep 1, 2008

This is the worst part of NP school. Finding a preceptor, sush a stress every semester. What has worked for me is asking your school for a list of preceptors used in the past, contacting charitable non-profit organizations like in my area we have several free/low cost clinics, the county health departments can be fantastic, catholic or jewish organizations, the VA hospital and satellite clinics, family health centers, teen centers, womens health clinics. I even have gotten preceptors (mainly docs) by looking up the specialty I need in my HMO provider list and cold calling them. Get comfortable with cold calling, calling places out of the phone book. Be prepared for rejection and not getting call backs. If you don't get a call back in 24hrs your usually not going to get one. The free clinics, public clinics and the like are usually the places that will take students. It's harder to get into a private office. I feel your pain, I'm a student too.

Joan Z · Sep 1, 2008

I was going to say that I agreed that finding a preceptor was the worst part... but I think I'll agree that it is ONE of the worst parts. When I was interviewing schools the one I went with said "oh, don't worry, we'll find you someone." Ha!

You say you need a FNP to precept--however, you can learn a lot from an MD/DO or PA. My school told me I "had" to have an FNP, but that would not have given me the optimal education, based on what was available in my area. I explained this and got the okay to go with a non-NP. I did have some hours with NPs in urgent-care type settings but all of the rest was with MD/DO/PAs. Not only did I get great experience, I also got more of an appreciation for the differences and strengths of other providers.

leahvonleah · Sep 3, 2008

In Illinois, we have the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nurses--they publish a directory of their members. I think when I was in NP school, membership was $40 for students. I was able to find some preceptors this way--it also afforded me great networking--it is how I found my current job--Look into your state to see if they offer an organization like this.

Good luck.

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2008

I had this problem in my last semester (that started just a couple of weeks ago) where my preceptor backed out the day after school started. What this forced me to do was put together a letter of introduction, a clinical resume, go door to door, and follow up phone calls/emails until something worked out.

At first I was terrified but it actually worked out! I have all the preceptors I need for the last semester (and a couple of extra ones!) from this. It also gave me courage and experience to sell myself based on my experience and personality. Definitely a great chance to learn how to pioneer some new NP jobs in the upcoming future.

Best of luck to you.

DaisyRN, ACNP · Sep 10, 2008

hi........ i am an fnp student from frontier based in kentucky. i live in the waco, tx area and desparately need to find a fnp as a preceptor. i will start clinicals in january '09. does anyone know of a fnp in this area that would be willing to precept? i would be willing to travel if needed. thanks in advance!

hi there,

i'm also in texas, but an acnp so i wouldn't be able to precept you. but, go to: http://www.npfinder.com and search there. i did that, typed in waco, texas searched for 25 miles and found 5 nps. 4 would probably work for you... 2 are fnp, 1 is anp, 1 is gnp, and the last is mental health np. it lists addresses and phone numbers.

good luck!