Melanie
Nurse Practitioner Clinical Sites
The nurse practitioner online program that I am enrolled in requires the student to find clinical sites and preceptors. Are there any suggestions or comments regarding finding clinical placement? Thanks! #nursing #nurse #healthcare #nurse-practitioner
2 answers
Sheila Young RN BSN MSN FNP - BC
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Melanie - Congratulations on making it to Clinicals !! I loved Clinicals. It is extremely difficult to find clinical sites and preceptors. Make sure to start in ample time. If your college is nonprofit - You may call your County hospitals - they may help place you in their clinics. Ask the school if they have a list of preceptors that students used in the past. Call the free standing clinics and ask for the Office Managers. Attend and join your local Nurse Practitioner organization. You can network at the meetings and possibly get leads. There is a group on Facebook. I believe it is called Preceptors for NPs - Don't quote me on that. Join that group and get your need out there. I found a preceptor that way. While you are in one clinical - inquire about other preceptors. There is a website - ENP network. They list - according to your region - possible preceptors. Ask anyone and everyone. I asked at my church - That is how I found my first preceptor and we are besties now!! I hope that one of these leads will help your journey!
Anne Hallett Fishwick
Anne Hallett’s Answer
Hi Melanie!
I agree with all of Shelia's advice from above! Preceptorship can be difficult to arrange and I'm afraid It's even harder to find a preceptor when you are in an online program/your school doesn't try to arrange one for you. I would try all the things Shelia mentioned. You might also want to call /talk to your own PCP who might have suggestions. Often if you can find one preceptor, they can link you up with another. Also, if you have worked anywhere before in the healthcare setting (especially as a RN), use your contacts there to see if you can find any leads. You might also contact your school's alumni network to see if a previous student has any suggestions/ and or worked with anyone in your area. Finally, choose a setting that you are interested in (depending on your speciality), and see if you can find contact info for the providers there- write a sincere note to them as to why you want to learn from them... you might be surprised what a personal touch can do!