When you’re juggling tuition, textbooks, and living expenses, it’s natural to wonder: do nurse practitioner students get paid during clinicals?
The short answer is no — nurse practitioner students almost never get paid for their clinical hours. In fact, it’s more common for students to pay for their clinical placements, especially in competitive specialties or locations.
Clinical rotations are an educational requirement, not a job. They’re designed for you to learn under the supervision of a licensed preceptor, not to replace paid staff. Even though you’ll be working directly with patients, the focus is on developing your skills, not generating billable revenue for the clinic.
That said, the financial aspect of clinicals has changed in recent years. With more NP students and fewer available preceptors, many placements now come with a placement fee. This is because preceptors often take time away from seeing their own patients to teach, complete evaluations, and handle extra administrative work. The payment helps offset the time and effort they devote to training you.
In 2025, the average cost for a nurse practitioner clinical placement through a vetted service like Preceptor Tree ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 per rotation, depending on the specialty and location. For a typical 125–160 hour rotation, that works out to about $12.50–$17.50 per hour of supervision.
Some students are surprised to learn that their clinical site might not be arranged by their school at all. In many NP programs — especially online or hybrid formats — the responsibility for finding a preceptor falls entirely on the student. That’s where placement services have stepped in to help connect students with available, qualified preceptors who meet school requirements.
While you might not receive a paycheck during your rotations, you can still make the most of the experience by treating it as a long-term investment in your career. A great clinical placement can give you:
- Hands-on experience with a variety of patients and conditions
- Professional references and networking opportunities
- Exposure to the daily realities of your chosen specialty
- A possible job offer after graduation
If finances are a concern, some students pick up part-time or per diem shifts outside of their rotation hours, or budget in advance to cover their placement fees. A few scholarships and grants are available for NP students, though these are competitive and often have specific eligibility requirements. Some schools like Walden may lead you to these possibilities.
The bottom line is that clinical rotations are a required part of every NP program, and they’re almost always unpaid. They are an educational experience — much like medical residencies for physicians — and should be seen as a stepping stone to full licensure and employment.
If you’re looking for a placement and want to avoid the stress of searching on your own, Preceptor Tree can help. We match you with vetted preceptors in your specialty, confirm availability, and handle the paperwork so you can focus on learning, not logistics. Find your clinical placement here →
