When To Begin The Search for Preceptors

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hey Everyone!

I was recently accepted into a graduate program where I am required to find my own preceptor. The program begins in the Fall, and I won't begin clinicals until the following year. I've already begun contacting nurse practitioners and physicians who are willing to accept students in my area. The thing is, I don't know if lining up a preceptor almost a year or more before starting clinicals is wayy too far in advance to have a preceptor lined up. I have heard people say that it takes them a while and I'm trying to reduce this issue for myself by making sure that I have someone willing to precept me.

For those of you who found your own preceptor, how far in advance did you have them lined up for yourself?

[Jules A, MSN]

I always advise networking among your professional contacts. Talk to your colleagues who you think would be an excellent preceptor or might have a friend in a specialty you are interested in now and just give them a heads up that you will need someone next fall or whenever. That is how I did it and also how the nurses I have worked with who I later precepted when they did their NP clinicals. Good luck.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Absolutely network, network, network. I don't believe there is a too early to line up preceptors. However, expect that the farther out you line them up the more likely there is to be one of them moving offices, or something happening. To alleviate this concern, I strongly suggest keeping in contact with them and continuing to network while in your program.

Also, as soon as you can find out what the preceptor requirements are for your program, that way you can adjust if a preceptor isn't qualified.