Nurse Practitioner Clinical Preceptors and sites

Hi Michael,

While I do not live in WA state and cannot give you specific locations for your area, I just graduated from a nurse practitioner program and was responsible for finding my own preceptors. I highly recommend networking. Ask friends, colleagues, health care practitioners (doctors, NPs, nurses, etc.) if they know anyone who would take you on as a student. I volunteered for some health fairs and found a preceptor at one of the health fairs (a doctor who was also volunteering). I've been volunteering long-term at a clinic for the underserved and two of the NPs there took me on as a student. I asked anyone I knew if they knew someone in the medical field who was willing to be a preceptor. Ask your PCP if he or she would take you on. CVS and Walgreens clinics take students and you can go on their career websites to apply as a student. I have a friend who connected me with two of her friends who were in the medical field and they took me on as a student. Use your connections to see if you know someone or if a friend of a friend knows someone. Hope this helps!

Good luck!

Lorraine

It was not that long ago that I, too, was in your position and struggling to find preceptors for the various hours I had to complete for my program. Here is what I would advise:

1. Start with your university - it should connect students with quality preceptors. If your university does not directly provide connections, ask if they can provide names of preceptors from previous students.
2. Check into your alumni network. Graduates from your school are likely to help you find preceptors and give you career advice. If you are in an area where most NPs go to a different university, finding a preceptor could be more challenging.
3. Participate in your local NP group. Don’t just attend and huddle with fellow students. Dress up like you are going to a job interview (You are). Present with confidence. Volunteer to be on a committee.
4. Work at a hospital where you will encounter providers that work in the specialty you are pursuing. Be the best. Physicians and NPs/PAs will notice you. Make friends with the social workers, they are great sources of information. </span>
5. <span style="color: rgb(29, 33, 41);"> Connect in person if you're able to. You will have a much better chance with preceptors if you’ve made an impression or if someone can vouch for you.
6. Individualize your e-mails or other means of contact to potential preceptors. Read their websites and see what they are about. Communicate enthusiasm. Write something about their interest, and thank them for their time. One tip I always suggest to students: don't mention the number of hours you need to complete (i.e. 120hrs). Instead, mention the number of days (assuming 8hr work days, 120hrs = 15 days). The number of days will seem far less insurmountable versus the number of total hours.
7. Check with professional associations. Many times professional associations at the local, state, and/or national level will have preceptor lists. Otherwise the state and national organizations can help you get in contact with local branches where you can potentially network.