Where to shadow / obtain preceptors

[fetchfelix]

Im still researching switching roles to become an NP and am trying to decide between bricks and mortar schools and online. One thing I find off putting is finding my own preceptors. I believe I read someone said to have these lined up before you even start school. How on earth does one do that? I would like to shadow someone in the ED as my hope is to become an FNP in an ER but how do I even find someone to shadow with just to see if this is a wise career move? I work in pediatric / NICU transport, so I dont actually cross paths with these types of NPs to begin with. Any advice or help much appreciated. Thanks

Felix

[Sha-Sha RN]

With the new consensus model and the specialization become more specific between acute care NP and family/ adult np specialization based in primary care it will be important to find out will you be hired as a FNP to work in an ER. I know some hospital still hire FNPs to work in an acute setting based on their nursing experience, but I'm not sure how long this will happen. As far as preceptor yes I have heard there are programs (mainly online, but some brick and mortar schools) that require you to have preceptors lined up when you get accepted. The reality is that you have to start looking for preceptors at least 1 year before you start clinical rotations. The problem is that there are more NP students in need of preceptors than there are available preceptors and some preceptors have students lined up to train maybe a year in advance either arranged by the school or the student doing the arrangement themselves. My program (blended online/onsite) required us to find our own preceptors and they wanted us to submit a preceptors name a semester in advance so they could vet them and make sure that they were an appropriate preceptor for a primary care experience.

[sadiemae1123]

As far as finding preceptors, you could ask the school if they have a list of anyone who has precepted students in your area before. Your local NP organization and nurse's association are also good starting points. So are local continuing education conferences and seminars.

If all else fails, try making cold calls/visits to local practices. I would have a folder prepared to introduce myself, a brief description of my clinical site needs, and contact information for myself and my school. You usually can't get past the receptionist, but I got a couple of clinical sites doing this.

One of the advantages of finding your own preceptors is that it forces you to network with the people you will someday soon be approaching when looking for a job. Part of finding a good job and getting paid what you're worth is letting people in your area know who you are and what you can bring to their practice.

[Jules A, MSN]

You have a captive audience with a common thread, your present employer. Make it your business to start introducing yourself and being friendly to the NPs who work at your hospital! I get that you don't have time to stand around chatting, neither do they, but a familiar face will get you in the door way faster than cold calling, imo.

I'll allow anyone to shadow me for a few hours but will only agree to precept students I either know or who come with an iron clad reference from one of my colleagues. I'm not doodling around with a NP student with no experience or affinity for psych. I don't have the time or inclination to start teaching from the ground up or have my name attached to someone who could possibly be incompetent.