Preceptor Problem Solved

[Simplyroses]

I watch with dismay as nurses accept admission to and attend universities that cannot be bothered to arrange clinical rotations. This disturbing trend does not serve the students and it certainly does not serve the reputation of the profession.

Attend an accredited university that has an established faculty practice or has already established relationships with local practices. No medical school or PA school would require the students to find their own clinical rotation sites.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Just because it's not for you doesn't mean it can't work for everyone. In fact, I was glad I got to set up my own preceptor for my MSN in nursing education- I got to choose something that I was truly interested in instead of having to rely on what/who was already approved by the school. As long as a student goes in with the knowledge that they have to set up their own preceptorship or that the school will do it for them, that's a decision for them to make.

[Katie71275]

I do agree. There are some great programs out there that have you find your own clinical sites/preceptors, and that is one reason I chose not to apply to them.....I am in several facebook groups for student NP/CNM, and many of the posters are frequently asking for help finding preceptors.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Something tells me that it is not a co-incidence to see so many posts of "my preceptor is a monster in scrubs" in undergrad section (where the wast majority of clinicals are pre-arranged) vs. few of such posts in grad nursing education section (where students mostly have to find their own). There are, for sure, many other influencing factors (people usually get more mature and control their words and emotions better after a few years in trenches, for one), but the fact is still here.

At least for me, there is no way I will tolerate a person who just happen to hate me from the first sight for only God knows what as my preceptor simply because someone in school decided so. Sure there are rotten apples everywhere but I kinda believe that making my own arrangements allows me to reasonably lower chances to get a bad eval from The Mrs. Drama Queen, MSN because of taking just 2.3467 more breaths/minute than she considers to be optimal.

[mamagui]

In a perfect world, all schools would allow you to either find a preceptor or they would for you. Unfortunately, there are states that do not have brick and mortar CNM programs, and the only really online programs do require students to find their own preceptors. I am OK with having to find mine, as I already have some contacts. Alternatively, there are programs out there that arrange preceptors, yet their students often graduate later than the program would normally require due to limited clinical placement availability.

[CNMidwife2Be]

Here's the thing Simplyroses, schools ultimately have minimal control over sites even if they are the ones procuring them. At one brick and mortar Ivy League school near me, where they do find your placement, there are often not enough spots and I know of multiple students who had their clinical experience delayed bc they were waiting for one. And others who had less than ideal locations w very low volume. One distance program requires students to procure their site before they even apply but many sites eventually fall through by that point. The bottom line is there aren't enough sites or preceptors and there are a lot of factors at play (preceptor availability, practice changes, hospital accommodation, exclusivity contracts between one site and one school). I felt I had an advantage at Frontier where I was able to pursue preceptors I knew I would connect with and also could help the process. At the Ivy League school students are not allowed to help in the search/contact people so they are stuck waiting for the school to sort things out. I certainly would not eliminate certain schools purely based on whether or not they'll find your placement.