Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Should I be concerned?

nursing-school-clinical-placement.jpg.d3fb79743f6b1b219608329cc1124d38.jpg

I am in my first semester of three clinicals and I have been having a hard time with clinical placement. My school (that supposedly places students) dropped the ball, and I did not want to be placed midway through the semester and left scrambling. My first preceptor that I had gotten left abruptly her job prior to the semester starting, so I found another one that works at a private practice. We haven't started yet, but the problem is she is taking four students. (first it was three, now four) She says she [hopes] that not all of us will be there at the same time and plans to precept 2 a day. However...

I feel like my education may suffer if I have to share a preceptor with three other students. I was hoping for one on one attention, but I am thinking that might not be an option. Should I try to get more clinical hours in to make up for the shared time? Should I be concerned? Is it normal for preceptors to have multiple students at a time?

Thanks!

Featured Replies

My primary preceptor had 2-4 almost all the time, but would only have 1 on one day. We doubled up sometimes but even then the other 2 students would barely even talk while I was there. Even in my program that had extra hours, you can often work around the other students as you only have to be there a few times a week. Either way if I were in your situation, I wouldn't focus so much on 'attention'. I would focus on completing your education as that is more important. Theoretically speaking, a lot of things should be different for APRN licensure.

What is the clinical setting?

It is normal for a preceptor to have multiple students at a time. I was sharing my preceptor with 3 medical students in pediatric private practice. I don't feel my education suffered in fact it was greatly enhanced as I was able to communicate with the students about the cases when we did not have patients. I learned a lot. Part of this clinical process is also your own self-learning and looking things up, not just relying on the preceptor to teach you.

  • Author
14 hours ago, babyNP. said:

What is the clinical setting?

Private practice (Family Med, outpatient).

On 5/12/2021 at 8:13 PM, DrCOVID said:

My primary preceptor had 2-4 almost all the time, but would only have 1 on one day. We doubled up sometimes but even then the other 2 students would barely even talk while I was there. Even in my program that had extra hours, you can often work around the other students as you only have to be there a few times a week. Either way if I were in your situation, I wouldn't focus so much on 'attention'. I would focus on completing your education as that is more important. Theoretically speaking, a lot of things should be different for APRN licensure.

Okay. That is great to know! I wasn't sure if this was normal as this is my first round of NP clinicals.

  • Author
11 hours ago, strawberryluv said:

It is normal for a preceptor to have multiple students at a time. I was sharing my preceptor with 3 medical students in pediatric private practice. I don't feel my education suffered in fact it was greatly enhanced as I was able to communicate with the students about the cases when we did not have patients. I learned a lot. Part of this clinical process is also your own self-learning and looking things up, not just relying on the preceptor to teach you.

I realize that, but seeing as this is my first clinical round, I think I may need more of the preceptor's time...if this was my last clinical, I wouldn't be as concerned.

Your first clinical round you should mostly be observing? 

  • Author
On 5/15/2021 at 9:12 AM, DrCOVID said:

Your first clinical round you should mostly be observing? 

OK so I did my first clincial and you're right, it was mostly observation. It was me and a last-semester FNP student and I think as long as there are only two of us, it should be okay. Next clinical I will start seeing people by myself.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Add a Comment

Currently Reading 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.