Where do NP clinicals take place at?

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I am considering going back to school. Just curious if clinicals are in the hospital (med surg etc) or in out patient clinics? Also, was finding a preceptor very difficult?

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

It depends which track you are following. I am in the acute care track and so I do my clinicals in the hospital in the ICU. If you choose the FNP track it's likely you'll do them at a doctor's office or clinic. My school do not place any FNP students in the hospital...only AGACNP acute care students can do that. If I were you I would absolutely choose a school that finds your clinical sites for you, and not spend your money on a school that doesn't support you. Those programs need to be phased out. My school is excellent and has contracts with all the major hospitals in my state. I never have to worry about clinicals as I just tell them where I'd like to go and which specialty I want to do, and it's all arranged. I've not spent a day worrying about it and I always get my choice.

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It depends which track you are following. I am in the acute care track and so I do my clinicals in the hospital in the ICU. If you choose the FNP track it's likely you'll do them at a doctor's office or clinic. My school do not place any FNP students in the hospital...only AGACNP acute care students can do that. If I were you I would absolutely choose a school that finds your clinical sites for you, and not spend your money on a school that doesn't support you. Those programs need to be phased out. My school is excellent and has contracts with all the major hospitals in my state. I never have to worry about clinicals as I just tell them where I'd like to go and which specialty I want to do, and it's all arranged. I've not spent a day worrying about it and I always get my choice.

What was the required GPA for your program?

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
If I were you I would absolutely choose a school that finds your clinical sites for you, and not spend your money on a school that doesn't support you. Those programs need to be phased out. My school is excellent and has contracts with all the major hospitals in my state. I never have to worry about clinicals as I just tell them where I'd like to go and which specialty I want to do, and it's all arranged. I've not spent a day worrying about it and I always get my choice.

Absolutely this. The struggle is real. Finding preceptors is HARD, especially when you are in an oversaturated area. I'm an in area with three NP schools and three med schools with med students and PA-S...so think about it, we're all competing for clinical sites. I had to call months in advance, and sometimes make calls to 50+ sites before I would find something. Others were not as lucky. I'm currently in a postmasters ENP program and thankfully, they get our preceptors for us.

FNP clinical sites are usually in outpatient clinics. Think family medicine clinics/private practice, pediatrician and OB-GYN offices. Some schools may allow you to do a speciality rotation in whatever you are interested, and that can also include some hospital time. I was able to do a rotation in the ER as part of my FNP program because I was also enrolled in my ENP program at that time. ACNP sites usually in the hospital.

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If you're in a FAMILY program, it's likely your sites are in the office. If you are attending an acute care program, your sites will be in-hospital. It is very competitive, the competition has gotten seriously fierce everywhere in the past few years, and is likely going to get worse. IF you know providers, now is the time to approach them and line up some of your sites.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
What was the required GPA for your program?

Sorry....I'm only just seeing your question now. The required GPA for my program was at least a 3.5 although you could apply with a greater than 3.2. There were 15 places for 95 applicants so they could afford to be picky.

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Thank you for the info. Yeah, I will not spend so much in tuition only to have to cold call and beg Dr. offices to teach me for free. It leaves me with a sick stomach just thinking about having to stress and beg while doing course work on a time line. I have heard stories where students would have to drop out if they couldn't find a preceptor in time. i can't worry about that stuff when also working full-time.

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