So...What exactly am I paying YOU for???

[Le-Lee_FNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Okay so I know that it was my choice to attend my FNP program online and maybe I don't have the right to complain, or perhaps I should have checked into the details of the program prior to enrolling, but this is getting pretty ridiculous. I understand that a lot of online programs make you find your own preceptor. I'm not in clinicals yet, but for my health assessment lab they expect us to find someone that will allow us to use their clinic after hours so that i can video record myself performing a physical on someone! Come on, who in their right mind will just let a person they don't even know waltz right in, use all of their equipment, plus stay after hours so that they can video record themselves doing a "fake physical assessment". I haven't lived in my current state very long and don't know any medical professionals on a personal level outside the hospital where i work, and of course I can't use a hospital. This is nuts. I just have a feeling if this "you are on your own, figure it out" mentality has already presented itself in my first semester, does that mean it is going to only get worse?

And to top it off I'm supposed to just read some chapters in my book and all of a sudden know how to perform an exam using an opthalmoscope and otoscope? I have no idea what I am looking at or for. It just seems like this is stuff i should be learning in clinicals with a preceptor. I don't see how i can teach myself this stuff. No simulation lab, no way to practice.

I am seriously considering transferring to a traditional program. Do traditional programs provide you with all of the tools and resources you need for labs and clinicals?

[froggg123]

I am right there with you!

I am ready to transfer out of my program as well, when other schools in your area get preceptors and pay them to precept, how does my school think that I will be able to find a preceptor on my own, for free? We were told "they do not pay - they feel it is an NPs obligation to give back". REALLY?!?!?!

[Le-Lee_FNP, MSN, RN, NP]

thats just crazy. this is impossible and I don't see how people do it unless they know people personally. I think these online programs are out to get our money and could care less if we get the proper education or not! what a joke! I'm very dissappointed and quite depressed. I'm trying to figure out my next step.

[WyndDrivenRain, BSN, RN]

I don't have any advice but I'd offer it isn't just online programs. I attend an on ground program in Chicago and it is all on us to find preceptors for everything, including to learn advanced health assessment. So a ground school might not be much better in terms of what your getting for the money. I have joined the NP organization in 4 states(plan to join more), and I spend hours cold-calling physicians and NPs. Have you considered looking out of state for a preceptor? You can always endorse in to that state to get it done. I know NY has an active NP organization that maintains a preceptor list. The market is really saturated with FNP students all over, you have to think outside the box. Good luck!

[Le-Lee_FNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I don't have any advice but I'd offer it isn't just online programs. I attend an on ground program in Chicago and it is all on us to find preceptors for everything, including to learn advanced health assessment. So a ground school might not be much better in terms of what your getting for the money. I have joined the NP organization in 4 states(plan to join more), and I spend hours cold-calling physicians and NPs. Have you considered looking out of state for a preceptor? You can always endorse in to that state to get it done. I know NY has an active NP organization that maintains a preceptor list. The market is really saturated with FNP students all over, you have to think outside the box. Good luck!

Wow I didn't know regular programs make you find your own preceptor too. If I stay in this program I wont start clinicals until next spring, which probably means I need to start looking now. Maybe i can ask my family physician and my children's pediatrician, but I don't know and haven't been with them for very long, so I'm not sure if they would be willing.

[zenman]

Double check your course requirements as I find it hard to believe they want you to use someone's clinic. We videotaped our first two physicals of friends, relatives, etc. but I did one at my home in Bangkok and one in Louisiana with my own equipment, then went on to my school in Chicago for two days of actual practice.

Sometimes you have to be creative getting preceptors. I did clinical at a Navy Hospital in Okinawa and in Texas at a VA outpatient clinic. A military hospital commander can "order" a preceptor to take you under their wing, lol!

[Le-Lee_FNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Double check your course requirements as I find it hard to believe they want you to use someone's clinic. We videotaped our first two physicals of friends, relatives, etc. but I did one at my home in Bangkok and one in Louisiana with my own equipment, then went on to my school in Chicago for two days of actual practice.

Sometimes you have to be creative getting preceptors. I did clinical at a Navy Hospital in Okinawa and in Texas at a VA outpatient clinic. A military hospital commander can "order" a preceptor to take you under their wing, lol!

My program specifies that FNP students cannot do our clinicals in hospitals or acute care facilities or nursing homes. We have to do them all in a clinic setting. I know this is stupid, but those are their rules. I wonder if it would be easy for me to find a preceptor in a free clinic setting with an urban population. The only reason i say is that they may be so busy that they may see it as an opportunity for an extra set of hands. maybe??

[Boonce1]

I also had to do the assignment of the physical assessment. I was lucky enough to work for a dr office they where more then willing to let me use their facility and the dr are really great about showing me things or answering my question. although they shouldnt be the ones to have to teach you some are more then willing if you just ask. with online learning and really any type of learning you are responsible for your learning experiance. I could go to a traditional school with traditional clinicals and not soak up a bit of information if I am not willing to go that extra mile to learn. Either way learning is learning.

[Le-Lee_FNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I also had to do the assignment of the physical assessment. I was lucky enough to work for a dr office they where more then willing to let me use their facility and the dr are really great about showing me things or answering my question. although they shouldnt be the ones to have to teach you some are more then willing if you just ask. with online learning and really any type of learning you are responsible for your learning experiance. I could go to a traditional school with traditional clinicals and not soak up a bit of information if I am not willing to go that extra mile to learn. Either way learning is learning.

Well if I were in your situation and worked for a doctor's office with physicians that were willing to help me, and learning was just that easy, I probably wouldn't be complaining and would share your same positive attitude. Perhaps I need to look for a part-time job in a doctor's office. I just don't know that I can find the job before my video is due.

[WyndDrivenRain, BSN, RN]

I also had to do the assignment of the physical assessment. I was lucky enough to work for a dr office they where more then willing to let me use their facility and the dr are really great about showing me things or answering my question. although they shouldnt be the ones to have to teach you some are more then willing if you just ask. with online learning and really any type of learning you are responsible for your learning experiance. I could go to a traditional school with traditional clinicals and not soak up a bit of information if I am not willing to go that extra mile to learn. Either way learning is learning.

Hi Boonce,

Did you have to do the video for Saint Josephs? If we have to do that it would good to know so I can get that set-up right away. I'm taking advanced health assessment as my second class once they get me transferred in. I plan to move through them quickly so I'd hate to get jammed up looking for a place.

Sue

[Le-Lee_FNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Have you considered looking out of state for a preceptor? You can always endorse in to that state to get it done. I know NY has an active NP organization that maintains a preceptor list. The market is really saturated with FNP students all over, you have to think outside the box. Good luck!

Out of state isn't really an option for me because I am married and have two young children. There would be no way I could or would be willing to leave for weeks and weeks. Which really sucks because I'm sure I could find someone in my hometown to do it as I know way more providers there on a personal level. I just don't know anyone in my current town. but thanks for the suggestion.

I have time to look for preceptors as my clinicals won't be for another two semesters. I'm just worried about how i am going to get the physical assessment lab done.

[WyndDrivenRain, BSN, RN]

Out of state isn't really an option for me because I am married and have two young children. There would be no way I could or would be willing to leave for weeks and weeks. Which really sucks because I'm sure I could find someone in my hometown to do it as I know way more providers there on a personal level. I just don't know anyone in my current town. but thanks for the suggestion.

I have time to look for preceptors as my clinicals won't be for another two semesters. I'm just worried about how i am going to get the physical assessment lab done.

I would try to see if you have any NP owned or managed clinics in your area. I'd start there, they may be more sympathetic to your needs. How about the local Minute clinic or one of those type places? Maybe one of the NP's would let you do one while they were batching out for the day or cleaning up? Does your school have a list of graduates that maybe you can call, obviously having been through it they might be willing to step up and loan out an exam room.

Sue