Tips for finding preceptor

[Emily Morgan]

Good morning,

I am currently a student at Frontier Nursing University and living in central Connecticut. I have been looking tirelessly for a preceptor for more than a year now. I have contacted what seems like every nurse-midwife in the state multiple times, with no luck. Yale and Fairfield have contracts for their programs with a lot of the practices here. Planned Parenthood is not taking students right now. I have looked as far as Northampton Mass. to no avail. I am willing to travel to surrounding states.

I have met with my clinical faculty numerous times and have listened to all their advice. I am expected to begin clinical in the fall (November). Right now, I am just looking to secure something for November and December. 

I have already vowed to return the favor once (if) I am a practicing midwife. Does anyone have any words of advice or any little-known sites I can contact? Any input is appreciated.

Thank you.

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

Have you tried the birth center?

https://ctbirthcenter.com

[Emily Morgan]

LibraSunCNM said:

Have you tried the birth center?

https://ctbirthcenter.com

Thanks for this!

I am anticipated to be with them January-March 2025. Still, the expectation is that I already start with some clinical experience, so I'm panicking and looking for another placement before then. I have been a NICU nurse for five years and practiced as a birth doula for a short time before starting grad school, but I think they're a little wary of my lack of L&D experience. My confirmation with them is still pending, so we will see 😕

[FluffyDog]

I'm so sorry that it's so hard! It's very competitive in CT. A couple of ideas:

1. Can you use/get a license in another state and stay with a family member, friend or Airbnb to get it done. CT is not a Compact State, but other states are, so that can work for some people. 
2. Have you tried using a company like PreceptorLink? They are NP owned and I know they have helped a lot of people. They are the best company out there. Yes, it costs money, but at least you can proceed.

Good luck! It's hard! 

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

Emily Morgan said:

Thanks for this!

I am anticipated to be with them January-March 2025. Still, the expectation is that I already start with some clinical experience, so I'm panicking and looking for another placement before then. I have been a NICU nurse for five years and practiced as a birth doula for a short time before starting grad school, but I think they're a little wary of my lack of L&D experience. My confirmation with them is still pending, so we will see 😕

Sorry you're dealing with that stress.  Frontier is a wonderful program didactically, but I just can't get past the whole setup where students find their own preceptors.  

[Emily Morgan]

FluffyDog said:

I'm so sorry that it's so hard! It's very competitive in CT. A couple of ideas:

1. Can you use/get a license in another state and stay with a family member, friend or Airbnb to get it done. CT is not a Compact State, but other states are, so that can work for some people. 
2. Have you tried using a company like PreceptorLink? They are NP owned and I know they have helped a lot of people. They are the best company out there. Yes, it costs money, but at least you can proceed.

Good luck! It's hard! 

Thanks! My FL license is still active and I have family in Orlando. It's a possibility, but I'm trying to exhaust all my options up here. I have a 3-year-old and newborn. 
 

I will check out preceptor link! I saw some preceptor sites but wasn't sure which was reputable so that's super helpful.

[Emily Morgan]

LibraSunCNM said:

Sorry you're dealing with that stress.  Frontier is a wonderful program didactically, but I just can't get past the whole setup where students find their own preceptors.  

Yeah, I love the program but the clinical

part is a problem. Unfortunately, I applied when my husband was at the end of med school so I didn't know where we would be living. Hence why I chose a program that was doable anywhere. Had I known we would be here I would have chosen different.