Life happens. To do that you’ll need to expand your nursing education, which includes completing at least 500 hours of supervised clinical hours under a nurse practitioner preceptor. LinkedIn is a good way to look for a preceptor. No big deal, right? I have registered and paid $125 to ENP preceptor search and sent messages to all psychiatric preceptors within 3-hour radius, no respond in 3 weeks. By reading through comments and threads on the subject, you can prevent yourself from making the same mistakes other NP students have and find successful tactics to setting up this essential aspect of your nursing education. LinkedIn is a good way to look for a preceptor. While a robust practicum experience helps you gain the skills and experience you need for success, it isn’t always easy to find a preceptor. In fact, this can be one of the most frustrating aspects of becoming a Nurse Practitioner, especially if you are looking at an online program. Traditionally, nurse preceptors introduce nursing students, novice nurses, and experienced nurses to new clinical settings, but their skillsets can be applied to a variety of unit change challenges. We are committed to locating preceptors near you who meet your needs and fulfill your program’s requirements. What about a research facility, an infusion center or a cancer center in your area? Understand the preceptor role. Differentiate yourself from other candidates and demonstrate that you’re a driven professional who will add value. New nurses and nursing students try to not take up too much “space” in report where there seems to always be a disproportioned chair to nurse ratio. If they do, don’t be shy about asking if they would be willing to make an introduction or provide a recommendation. At this point, remember that it is important to be flexible. If you don’t receive a response, then call. Last, but certainly not least, you need to network with other NP students and APRNs that have been where you are. Dr. Melissa DeCapua started her career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP), graduating from Vanderbilt University and completing a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP). State nurse practitioner associations are listed below. How can patients benefit from your nursing skills? How hard can finding an NP preceptor really be? Many of these services work nationally, and some offer a guarantee for finding you a preceptor. At the same time, the increase in RNs seeking master’s degrees in nursing, including an online master’s in nursing, makes finding an FNP preceptor challenging. The best case scenario is that simply by asking the nurses and advanced practice providers you already interact with, you can find a high quality NP clinical preceptor right under your nose. Find Preceptors Near You. NP students often learn that it’s a good idea to identify a practicum site early, and the first thing you need to do is understand what is required of approved clinical sites. This should be your primary goal when calling clinical sites, so plan for that from the start. LinkedIn is a professional social networking website where you can make an online resume and connect with recruiters, national organizations, and other professionals. Look up doctors in your area. While many nurse practitioner schools assist in the process of finding clinical sites and preceptors, you may be left to set up these pieces of your education on your own if you’re in an online NP program. LinkedIn is free, but you can also pay extra to be able to contact people whom you haven’t connected with yet. They might direct you to the department of your specialty, connecting you with a bunch of different nurse practitioners. Keep trying when struggling to find a preceptor; seek out recommendations from faculty members, family and friends. Again, be certain that you understand the terms and conditions, and don’t forget to make sure your understand what your school requires in a site before committing. Wondering how to find a nurse practitioner preceptor? Preceptors should introduce preceptees to their new roles and responsibilities, coach them on the basics (for example, when/where to report, where to find supplies and resources, how to use equipment, etc. Specialties Psychiatric / Mental Health To do that you’ll need to expand your nursing education, which includes completing at least 500 hours of supervised clinical hours under a nurse practitioner preceptor. If you’re unable to reach the advanced practice provider you want to talk with, be prepared to leave a message. Start by making an account and filling out your profile. Flexibility is key. For those interested, I currently live in Chicago, Illinois and I work at a teaching facility. You can check to see if your school has access here. Good luck! Find a Student Seeking a Preceptor Search and connect with students looking for a nursing preceptor. You should have a few professional references on hand and your school transcript. In any industry, networking helps you make connections and build relationships of support and respect to discover and create mutual benefits. If you need to postpone a clinical rotation for a semester, travel to another location for clinical hours or work with a sector partnership program to find a preceptor be open to these as options. This first step is critically important. If you don’t receive a response within a couple of days, call again. Search for Preceptors Search for Students Preceptor Pass Preceptors: Get Listed Preceptors are looking for students, will they find you? 8.41 Preceptorship reminded me I need to keep on learning as a nurse. There are online directories that can help you find nurse practitioner preceptors. Preceptor Roles in Nursing. You can use networking to increase business, improve knowledge and find a job–or find a clinical preceptor. One of the … Comment below or email me! Nurse practitioner programs are understandably in high demand. No luck finding a preceptor yet? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you may have regarding locating a psychiatry preceptor in the southern Florida area. You need a clinical preceptorship to complete your degree requirements. Before you make a call, it’s a good idea to write a script or outline of what you want to say. Let’s say you’ve exhausted your local preceptor-ship options, you’ve researched, called and emailed numerous APRNs in your area with no luck. If you don’t have a connection you can leverage for an introduction, sales professionals often send letters or emails to introduce themselves and their company’s goods and services. You have a better chance of getting a practicum site if you have a face-to-face meeting, so try to schedule an appointment as early on in your efforts as possible. Even Nurse Practitioners Face a Gender Pay Gap, The First Year: What You Need to Know During Your Transition from RN to NP, The Nurse’s Guide to Buying a Computer (2020), Best Nurse Practitioner Reference Books by Specialty. While it can be a difficult to find a clinical preceptor for your NP program, if you follow these tips and are persistent in making connections and following up with contacts, your chances of finding a clinical site increases. Solutions to Preceptor Problem. Finding a person, let alone the right person for this position can be fraught with anxiety, especially when you, as a student, are asking someone to do this for you. It can also be difficult to connect with the person you want to speak with, so be prepared to leave a clear, concise message that will get your point across. This article will give you some ideas on how to find a nurse practitioner preceptor. Preceptors: nurture and support the newly graduate nurse; Nursing administration and nursing educators: collaborate to provide training and support to both the preceptor and the new graduate nurse; The preceptee: remain motivated and act … Preceptors and volunteer clinical faculty offer students individual perspectives and hands-on experience in a variety of health care settings and specialties. Nurse managers should check in with the preceptors on a weekly basis to assess them. Start by making an account and filling out your profile. Want to stay in touch? The nursing station looms ominously as if the experience echo’s th… Most of the leading nursing schools ask RNs to locate a preceptor to complete requirements for clinical hours. Treat your interactions with your contacts as you would any potential employer. It’s a great chance for both of you to see if there’s a good match for a possible opportunity after the preceptor-ship. Search the largest and fastest growing directory of nursing preceptors on the internet Search for Preceptors Search for Students Preceptor Pass Preceptors: Get Listed Location (City, state, or ZIP code) Search Baltimore, MD. Unfortunately there has been a hidden flaw with these programs in that many nurse practitioner students have not been able to find the clinical placement or preceptors required to complete their degrees. You may even want to look at multiple advanced practice nursing school options to ensure you have a broad base for selecting the learning options that work best for you. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. We offer unique benefits to nurse practitioner students, graduate nursing programs, preceptors and medical practices. Clinical preceptors are integral to the future of nursing. Help can come from unexpected places. Unfortunately, I work nights so it is difficult to find a willing preceptor at my facility. To help you with the process, we’ve compiled some basic advice on how to arrange clinical sites for your NP program. Nursing students are especially sensitive to their position in a patient care setting. If you decide you need to use a paid service, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 -$20 per clinical hour. As a Nurse Practitioner (NP), you can even start your own practice and develop programs that benefit your patients and communities, but first you have to actually become an NP. It is also a great time to learn about new areas. And remember, what it all comes down to is finding a place where you can help learn more about your patients, your role as an advanced practice nurse and that will help you realize your goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. NPHub is the best-reviewed placement agency to connect Nurse Practitioner students, preceptors, and clinical sites. This article outlines a few resources and advice to get you started on your quest to find the perfect preceptor. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) can link students with preceptors who have undergone a rigorous screening process. Know what you like and what you don’t like. Learn what you can about their professional backgrounds, interests and personalities. Students must engage them at least three sessions in advance. Resources/education for nurse practitioner students and preceptors. Some are free, but many require you to pay for their services. Sales professionals have spent years honing the art of making connections and selling products or services. Med Match will find preceptors who are right for you. We are supposed to start our clinical hours in September. A preceptor program is only successful if the preceptee felt that they were trained well. As many successful sales people will tell you, persistence often pays off, and this is something you should be prepared to apply to your search for clinical sites and NP preceptors. Again, these forums are a great way to network and are easy to find with a Google search for terms like: nursing clinical preceptor; nurse practitioner clinical sites; NP preceptors; and a variety of combinations of these same terms. You may also be able to find online forums with tips and opportunities from other students looking for or who have completed their clinical rotations in online forums. You will want to demonstrate to each and every clinical contact that choosing you would be a good decision. However, if you do not approach this role with humility and a desire to learn, you may find that you quickly become the dreaded preceptor on your floor. While you don’t want to be a pest, you also don’t want to be timid when following-up to get a response. This is to allow the student to identify the preceptor that supports the students in the areas that they desire to work in the future. Looking for advice on how to find preceptors... Im currently an FNP student at a nursing school in the Boston area that does not help you find preceptors. Figure these out and showcase them during your interactions with clinical site coordinators. You’ve done your self-assessment and you know what you’re looking for. I came from Oregon to help with care for my elderly mother. Join my private LinkedIn group where we all can share, discuss and network! CONNECTING NURSE PRACTITIONERS & STUDENTS HIRENURSES.COM AND SHOW ME YOUR STETHOSCOPE HAVE CREATED A FORUM TO SEAMLESSLY CONNECT PRECEPTORS AND STUDENTS. American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) website contains helpful information for program faculty, clinical preceptors, and APRN students in nurse-midwifery programs. All universities across the United States who are in the ANCC Certification Eligibility Curriculum Review Program (CECRP) have access to this database of preceptors. This might include future collaborations such as volunteering or working with the health care providers you want to learn from. Your purpose is to sell yourself and present the value and benefits to be gained by working with you to your potential preceptor. You’ll also want to prepare your “elevator pitch”–a short paragraph that introduces yourself and explains what you’re looking for, including your clinical specialty and needed practice setting. The concept of the preceptor in nursing dates back to the early 1980s when nurse educator and author Patricia Benner introduced her book, From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice. Then, you can search for other nurse practitioners in your area and filter by their place of employment. Make sure your resume is updated as they will likely request a copy. Let us do all the work while you focus on completing your degree program. I am new to Florida state and do not have solid networking contacts. Including useful tools for qualities of effective preceptors, clinical placement responsibilities, developing resource skills, and preceptor … Find a Preceptor Search the largest and fastest growing directory of nurse practitioner preceptors on the internet Search for Preceptors Search for Students Preceptor Pass Preceptors: Get Listed Location (City, state, or ZIP code) Search Dallas, TX. These services find clinical preceptors for NP students. Identify possible advanced practice nursing preceptors in your area or at facilities that interest. Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you’re faced with a difficult nurse preceptor, follow these tips to know what you should do. Is there a community health center you’ve always wanted to learn more about? Never fear! By day, she works at Microsoft as a program manager focused on innovation and culture change. Another idea is to check job boards for NP positions in your area and reach out to the hiring managers. Ask Your Personal Medical Providers. While it is only April, I am very much stressing about this. The advice in this tip can be used with all of the other recommendations in this list. Demonstrate flexibility with a positive attitude and a can-do willingness. Greetings, State Boards of Nursing often ask licensed nurse practitioners whether they are interested in being a preceptor and whether they are willing to share their information. Thoughts? Establish a Good Relationship. Preceptors for nurse practitioner students: Honorariums for nurse practitioner preceptors; preceptor finder service for NP students. Searching the Fine a Preceptor directory is free; however, you can also pay $90 for a 3-month “access pass,” which provides email notifications and extended information about each preceptor as well as their contact information. As a resource for new employees, nurse preceptors must socialize, protect, educate, and evaluate the nurses who are making the transition into a new work environment. The cumulative effect of what these volunteers impart plays a significant role in the care any health system delivers. The worst that could happen is that they don’t know anyone or aren’t comfortable providing a referral. Becoming a nurse preceptor may seem like a fun way to get into a more authoritative role on your unit. The ENP Network, a professional network for nurse practitioners, offers students the ability to search for preceptors using the Find a Preceptor tool, which includes a list of over 1,000 preceptors across all specialties. Questions? Then, you can search for other nurse practitioners in your area and filter by their place of employment. Preceptors are often bombarded with student candidates, so think of this like a job interview– be prepared and put your best foot forward. Getting this step right can save you a lot of time, frustration, and heartache. Click here to sign up. Maybe you can assist with ongoing research or studies that are being conducted, at no cost to the clinical site. But remember, this isn’t just about asking for a preceptor-ship because you need it to finish your nurse practitioner education requirements. How do you stand out? Making a backup plan is perhaps the single most important piece of advice in this list. By night, she advocates for nurses through lobbying efforts and, of course, blogging. Let everyone–friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, former colleagues, online acquaintances, other students and professionals in your area–know that you’re an NP student actively seeking a preceptor. Before you start asking people for help finding a preceptor, you’ll want to make sure your resume is up to date. The preceptor-ship can be virtual since the program doesn't require to be in person. Matching preceptors. They are immediately identifiable to everyone based on uniform, badges, plethora of on-body resources and physical language often giving them away as they try not to display a general “sore thumb” appearance. I have contacted numerous local mental health organizations without success, including the VA clinic. Good salespeople know how important it is to emphasize mutual benefits. The Chamberlain Preceptor Matching Service has helped find a NP preceptor and a practicum site for 100% of students who used the service and need a preceptor to progress through the program. I am an Advanced Nurse Practitioner currently enrolled in post-master psychiatric certification. If you are fixed and rigid when it comes to selecting your ideal clinical preceptor, you may be disappointed or miss out on other fortuitous options for learning. These programs offer students a great alternative to attending medical school. Advanced Practice Nursing APRN Degrees & Info, Finding Your Nurse Practitioner Clinical Preceptor, this can be one of the most frustrating aspects of becoming a Nurse Practitioner, especially if you are looking at an online program, work with a sector partnership program to find a preceptor. You can then connect with them and see if they might be interested in being your preceptor. Plan for it. Clinical sites are hard to come by. You can borrow these same techniques. What experience do you bring to the table? Now what? Time to get more innovative. In any type of sales situation–even if you’re selling yourself–persistence is key. Finally, use nursing clinical site resources to communicate with other nurse practitioner students who have tips for arranging clinical sites and preceptors. You can then connect with them and see if they might be interested in being your preceptor. Once you’ve made several calls, which is highly likely, you will learn what works and what doesn’t and can adjust your pitch to be more effective. Some nurse practitioner programs require their students to find a clinical preceptor–someone who serves as a teacher, role model, leader, influencer, evaluator, and socialization agent for an apprentice nurse practitioner. Many nursing schools require a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students to find their own clinical sites and preceptors. Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Specialties Acute Care, Medical/Surgical, Emergency/Trauma If you don’t have a particular nurse practitioner or physician in mind, … You are doing the same thing when you line up a preceptor-ship — you’re selling yourself. Networking is the process of developing and using your contacts. Here are ten tips that could help: Be sure you know the credentials required of your preceptor and understand all of the requirements for a potential practicum site. I originally wrote this article for Clinician1, the social media site for nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. You’ve called, emailed, interviewed, searched job boards and forums, but the ideal nursing preceptor site isn’t available. Many programs and online schools require you to find a nurse practitioner preceptor on your own. Out and showcase them during your interactions with your contacts success, including the VA.. Professional who will add value day, she advocates for nurses through lobbying efforts and, of,. 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