Preceptor Help!!

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I live in Pittsburgh, PA area and I am currently enrolled in one of the FNP programs in the area. At my school we are required to find our own preceptors and it is extremely difficult. My school provides little to no help in this area and the student is left to cold call offices. I have express to the school how difficult this process is and how much rejection I receive each semester but nothing changes. Is there any advice that anyone has to help me through this last year of finding preceptors? How can I get the university to understand that this area of the program may need changing? And lastly if there is anyone in the Pittsburgh area in geriatrics, cardiology or endocrine willing to precept me this fall please let me know.

Thanks

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Critical-Care.

Im currently looking for clinicals also. Ive had much luck with my family doctor and pediatrician. Also, urgent care and free medical clinics were helpful.

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I live in Pittsburgh, PA area and I am currently enrolled in one of the FNP programs in the area. At my school we are required to find our own preceptors and it is extremely difficult. My school provides little to no help in this area and the student is left to cold call offices. I have express to the school how difficult this process is and how much rejection I receive each semester but nothing changes. Is there any advice that anyone has to help me through this last year of finding preceptors? How can I get the university to understand that this area of the program may need changing? And lastly if there is anyone in the Pittsburgh area in geriatrics, cardiology or endocrine willing to precept me this fall please let me know.

Thanks

I live in northern Michigan and have had the same issues with trying to arrange a clinical experience. After making numerous dead end phone calls to possible preceptors, I decided to send out written requests to various physicians and NP's within a 50 mile radius of my home (the distance I was willing to travel). I wrote out a nice formal letter introducing myself and very briefly describing my program and that I would appreciate them considering becoming my preceptor. I mailed out 50 of these letters, including all my contact info within them. I received more replies by this method than I did anything else I had tried. A number of the practitioners I contacted already had students scheduled to be with them, but I did end up with 10 of them willing to provide me a clinical experience. It cost me a bit in stamps and envelopes, but it sure provided much better results than making phones calls did. This may be something to try if you haven't already. Good luck!!!

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Specializes in ER.
I live in northern Michigan and have had the same issues with trying to arrange a clinical experience. After making numerous dead end phone calls to possible preceptors, I decided to send out written requests to various physicians and NP's within a 50 mile radius of my home (the distance I was willing to travel). I wrote out a nice formal letter introducing myself and very briefly describing my program and that I would appreciate them considering becoming my preceptor. I mailed out 50 of these letters, including all my contact info within them. I received more replies by this method than I did anything else I had tried. A number of the practitioners I contacted already had students scheduled to be with them, but I did end up with 10 of them willing to provide me a clinical experience. It cost me a bit in stamps and envelopes, but it sure provided much better results than making phones calls did. This may be something to try if you haven't already. Good luck!!!

I'm also in Michigan. What program did you end up attending? I'm also worried about finding a preceptor. That is a good idea. Would you be able to send me a copy of your letter? I'm applying to a couple different programs over the next few months that are online.

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