Where are all the NP preceptors out there?

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2016

I'm not personally involved in the search but it sure seems as if an awful lot of folks come here, desperately seeking a preceptor. Most do not receive any answers.

The real issue is not a lack of preceptors. It's a failure on the part of schools to have preceptorships in place for their students. Is it too late to transfer to a school that provides the necessary tools for success?

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2016

Try to join NP council or other organization in your state, they often have list of those wishing to precept students.

If you work, ask mid-levels there.

If nothing else, go to clinicalsmatchme.com It is expensive but with guaranteed results.

Grumble88 · Mar 3, 2016

Generally the more established NP programs will locate preceptors for students and they suck up a lot of the available preceptors, sometimes in an area that greatly exceeds the city the school itself is in. There's also the route of paying for a preceptor mentioned in the comment above. Good luck

kittypants247 · Mar 3, 2016

Has anyone used clinicalsmatchme.com? Does anyone know how they are? I also found that website while searching for help on finding a preceptor. I figured I could go to them if I exhausted all other avenues. I got a couple return phone calls this morning which helps me feel a little better.

bebbercorn · Mar 28, 2016

I am going through this now, and am wondering how you have done? I refuse to pay extra for a preceptor through one of the matching sites... but it is oooooh so tempting. I am in an area that "only uses XYZ" university students, but I know a lot of these students and they have to set up the rotations themselves. A no win for all. Guess who will be traveling for a preceptor? This guy.

kittypants247 · Mar 29, 2016

I have been using letters. I wrote a cover letter and a resume with it; and sent it by fax, email and mail. I noticed when I called and said "I am an FNP student with blah-blah college" they would automatically say no without me ever telling them anything about myself. With a letter at least there is a little more information for them to go with then just the college I go to. I do wish I would have waited a little while for the university that is most popular around this area and went there. I wanted a quick in and I sure got it too! Now I have to deal with finding a preceptor with no help from my school and the fact that most NPs don't want to teach students from online schools. With these letters I have 3 prospects right now; which is pretty good considering what I'm up against. I interviewed with a preceptor today who had a student from an online school recently and after that student she considered not taking a student ever again. She feels like a lot of NPs get burnt by online students and don't want to teach again after that. I am lucky because she is going to take a chance on me. Now I have to get my school to approve one of the 3 prospects and they are picky! Like preceptors are falling from the skies trying to teach their students and that is not the case!! Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. Good luck and try the letter and resume. It does seem to be working for me a little.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2016

Moved to the Student NP forum.

bebbercorn · Mar 29, 2016

I have been doing the letter and resume, but with little response. Cold calling is not much better for me, I get sent to voicemail for the office manager. It appears that I'll have to take a term off. But after that, I may have to travel pretty far anyway. Waiting is the worst, I have my fingers, toes, and ears crossed for a couple of free clinics that I had good interactions with. Good luck to you, too!

AshleelRenee · Mar 29, 2016

Finding a preceptor is difficult no matter what part of the country you are located in. I felt pretty hopeless at times, but eventually I did find all my preceptors. The best advise: start looking early, as many preceptors fill up and it can be difficult to find one. I started out with people I work with and moved on from there. Ask around where you work and ask friends which clinics they go to. I found it helpful that when I asked I would mention that persons name an say they had such wonderful things to say about them (the preceptor) and the clinic they work for. That's how I found mine, and I didn't know them personally. If one preceptor says no, ask if they have someone in mind. A person I asked wasn't able to, but when I asked if she had any recommendations one of her colleagues in the same clinic was able to. Also, if they say no tell them to keep you in mind if they have another student cancel. I also joined my states nurse practitioner society and the AANP. They both have a student memberships and is a great way to network. Also, maybe open up your search further. I had to travel 1.5 hours away for my pediatric clinical, certainly not ideal but I did what I had to do and the experience was great.

Also, my school had a registry of previous preceptors. Does yours have anything like that?

bebbercorn · Mar 30, 2016

Yes, we have a directory... that's the list I've been going from, outside of google and cold calling.