When people ask me which cities are the hardest—and easiest—to place FNP students, Phoenix always comes to mind. As someone who’s been calling, emailing, and even walking into clinics all across the country, I can confidently say: finding Phoenix FNP preceptors takes persistence, but it’s absolutely doable.
At Preceptor Tree, we specialize in matching nurse practitioner students with the right clinical preceptors. While we work nationwide, every city has its quirks. Phoenix, with its sprawling metro area, mix of private practices and hospital systems, and growing number of online NP students, has a unique rhythm. If you’re looking for Phoenix FNP preceptors, here’s how I approach it—and how it compares to other markets like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta.
What Makes Phoenix Unique?
Phoenix is home to many experienced family nurse practitioners, which is great news. The challenge, however, is that many of them are already tapped by local NP programs or have been overwhelmed with past requests. Clinics can be cautious. They may have been burned by inconsistent students or unclear expectations.
That’s where we come in. I always lead with clarity. I tell the clinic exactly what our student needs—typically 160 clinical hours—and what they’ll get in return: a reliable, professional student and a $1,000 honorarium for their time. In Phoenix, this kind of transparency goes a long way.
I also make sure we’re not just cold-calling. I’ve built relationships with offices in Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale who’ve worked with us before and had a great experience. When you do right by preceptors in Phoenix, word gets around.
Compared to Other Cities
In contrast, cities like Los Angeles and Atlanta tend to be more saturated. There are more students and more programs competing for fewer spots. Offices are often overwhelmed, and some won’t even take calls about precepting. In Chicago, many larger health systems require students to be affiliated with specific universities, which can limit options.
Phoenix sits somewhere in the middle. It’s not as closed-off as LA, but it’s also not wide open like some smaller Midwest cities where I can make one call and have a spot filled in 10 minutes.
The difference in Phoenix is persistence. Sometimes I’ll call the same clinic five times before I get a decision. I once filmed a short video introduction and emailed it to a hesitant NP in Chandler—and that’s what sealed the deal. It’s not about volume here; it’s about being personal.
What Students Should Know
If you’re a student searching for Phoenix FNP preceptors, know that we typically secure rotations within 2–3 weeks. Sometimes we’ve matched in as little as three days. The key is flexibility: be open to different suburbs, different schedules, and sometimes even hybrid options. We’ll handle the outreach—you just need to be prepared to say yes when we find the right match.
At Preceptor Tree, we don’t just “place” students. We advocate for them. And in Phoenix, that advocacy is what makes all the difference. If you are an IMG student, Clerkship America can help you.
