Prasanna Basnet
11/18/2013
Many
times I have heard the frustration of the Nurse Practitioner students not
finding a preceptor for their practicum. I had been through the same
situation, so I understand how cumbersome it is to find a preceptor. Those students who found their preceptor without any effort are really lucky. I would like to say ‘Don’t Give Up’ for those
who have tried their best, but with no luck. If you have already started your
journey and if you are passionate to become a nurse practitioner, there is no doubt you will be there. Give
continuous effort without giving hope and try reaching each nurse practitioners
or MD as you can. Different strategies that can be implemented to find
preceptor are:
1)
Find the list of the clinics nearby your
place and contact each of them. You may not be able to talk to NP or MD
directly over the phone or in-person, speak with office manager or leave your contact information,
message, and resume and ask them to contact you back or the best time person
and number to follow up with them.
2)
Become a member of ENP network to access the list of the NP preceptors who are willing precept NP student. You have to
pay some amount to get access of their list. Here is the link https://www.enpnetwork.com/
3)
Best worked option for me was charitable
clinic. You might want to check the association of charitable clinics in your
States and email or call each of them. In Texas, they have Lone star Association
of Charitable Clinics, I sent email to all clinics under Lone star association
of charitable clinics. My experience is sending email works better than phone or in person. This is my last week of first practicum and I can say charitable clinic a great place to begin your preceptorship.
4)
Contact your state or local nurse
practitioner group and be a member to attend their meetings so that you can do
networking with other nurse practitioner and also can access the list of the interested
preceptors.
5)
Create a LinkedIn account and update all
your professional information. It is a professional networking web site, search for
the nurse practitioners, send them friend request with message including your
interest and NP school’s requirements.
6)
Continuous follow up is the key. You
might have sent a lot of email and called many places, but getting no response is overwhelmed and leave a bad experience. Contact second or the third
time to those places where you were not able to contact for the first time. Make
a list of preceptors who have asked you to contact after few months and follow up
with them in time.
7)
Planning a head can make your search
easier. Plan at least 5-6 months before the start date of your practicum.
8)
Asking with your colleagues, relatives,
and primary care providers can also be an effective approach.
9)
If a nurse practitioner or MD said they
are not available to precept you, ask them politely to refer their friends who might be willing to precept. Also, if you have found one preceptor they
can help you find another preceptor. My preceptor is helping me find another
preceptor.
10)
Most
of the time you might not find the right email and phone number to reach to the
right person and you may end up with none, despite your effort. Try to contact
the clinic manager and talk to them that will save your time and will be more
helpful as well.
11)
Joining Facebook page of different groups
of nurse practitioner and sharing your search in their page can be very helpful,
such as ‘Nurse Practitioners Offering to be a Preceptor’ and ‘Family Nurse Practitioner
Networking Group’
