Should I be concerned?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

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!

[DrCOVID, DNP]

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.

[babyNP., APRN]

What is the clinical setting?

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

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.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

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.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

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.

[DrCOVID, DNP]

Your first clinical round you should mostly be observing? 

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

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.