I'm in an online Psych NP program right now, and last Summer (Summer 2019), I had to drop my courses because I couldn't find preceptors for my courses. So I was delayed for an entire year to retake these courses now. I hate to say it like this, but in a sense, I lucked out with Coronavirus because now these two Summer courses don't require a clinical component and are done virtually. However, I am going to need clinical hours in the fall. And I swore to myself that with everything I went through and as far as I've gotten in this program, I am absolutely NOT going to let not having all the preceptor stuff keep me from completing this program! I've decided to go through with a recruiting agency because of how stringent my program's requirements are in terms of a preceptor. The person has to be board certified, and I have to get a certain number of hours in adults, in Geri, in pediatrics, in addiction, etc., etc., etc. So that narrows my options as I have to seek preceptors or facilities that take patients across the lifespan, aren't a solo practice, and will offer in-site hours on a regular basis (because if a preceptor only works for 20 hours a week with a student, or is only available two days a week, how am I supposed to get my hours?!). It's quite frustrating! These recruiters have some really high fees for some of these places! For one place is $2000 for a semester, and for another is $3300 a semester. I mean, I can afford it, but it is a lot of money. And I'm worried the site may have issues where they can't get me the hours I need. Or did I hit a roadblock from my program in terms of approving everything? Then again, this is the time of Coronavirus, and I don't want to be the person who couldn't get a clinical preceptor again. Should I hold my nose and make a payment? Maybe this will be worth the lack of stress for the fall semester.