Question re: NP and clinical experiences...

elkpark · Oct 14, 2009

I'm a CNS, not an NP, but in my "brick & mortar" graduate program, we (NP students as well as CNS students) were assigned to clinical sites and had school faculty as our clinical instructors, the same as clinicals in "regular" nursing school. For our second year, we were able to choose from a list of available sites instead of just being assigned, but they were still all sites/organizations with which the school had an ongoing relationship. I can't imagine paying tuition to a nursing program that expects you to arrange your own clinicals ...

MissDoodaw · Oct 14, 2009

I went to a BnM school they arranged the clinical sites for us. It can be difficult to arrange your own. If you are considering this route, contact your local NP organization and ask them how many preceptors might be available.

elkpark · Oct 14, 2009

Yes, there have been a bunch of threads here over time about how much difficulty some people in online NP (and other APN specialties) programs had finding local preceptors -- a few people have written here that they eventually had to drop out of their program because they weren't able to complete the clinical component. I would ask around and get a clear idea of who would be available to you as preceptors IN ADVANCE before signing up and paying tuition for a program that requires you to set up your own clinicals.

carachel2 · Oct 15, 2009

I am attended a regular program (i.e. not online) and our clinical assignments were arranged for us up until our last two semesters. We warned very early on about this and told that the point was that you were supposed to develop clinical contacts and positive experiences and hopefully return to these same preceptors during your last few semesters.

There were a few times when I had to scramble, but for the most part it was not that big of a deal. I used previous clinical experiences to provide me with the later clinical requirements and it worked out well for the most part.

ERNurse752, RN · Oct 15, 2009

I am in a brick and mortar program. Our clinicals are arranged for us. The preceptors are not faculty, but are approved by faculty. I believe we can also find our own if we have something specific in mind, but the site and preceptor must be approved.

BChapp3182 · Oct 16, 2009

I went to a brick and mortar, expensive, private school and had to arrange my own clinicals which was a pain in the butt every semester. Seems like some schools will do it for you but others do not. It was extremely stressful but all the schools in my area were like this so had no choice...

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Oct 17, 2009

Attended a brick and mortar - the clinical sites were arranged by the school.

tracelane, DNP, NP · Oct 17, 2009

I went to a BnM school and we had to arrange all of our own clinicals. Very difficult at times. I found it important to set up a meeting ahead of time and discuss both of your expectations. I mostly did my time with physicians.

T

jlcole45 · Oct 20, 2009

Even though we are in a brick and mortar, residential program at WCU we still have to arrange for our own clinicals - though guidance is provided.

Christen, ANP · Oct 20, 2009

there are two NP schools in my area, and both my school and the other one (BnM) require us (the students) to set up our own clinical experiences. Which can be quite a pain!

pedspnp · Oct 20, 2009

I started out in a brick and mortar had to arrange my own clinical even though they gave us a list, did on line had to hunt out my own preceptors, which made since as the school was in a different state and there was no way that with students scattered around the country that they could make clinical assignment for all the students. It is impossible for the school to know what is in every persons area. Besides once you are that far in your career and academics I don't think you should have to be baby sat and have your school make your arrangements for you.