Finding Great FNP Preceptors: Why Making In-Person Connections with FNP Preceptors and PMHNP Preceptors Matter. You’ll Be Surprised How A Little Kindness to FNP Preceptors Can Go a Long Way.
FNP Preceptors are not easy to find. PMHNP Preceptors are even toughter to find. And the reality is as a nurse practitioner (NP) student, securing strong preceptorships with solid FNP preceptors is absolutely vital to your education and future career. And the Walden NP Preceptor program is lacking, as are many other schools, so it leaves NP students alone to handle it. The hands-on clinical experience you gain working with an experienced family nurse practitioner (FNP) preceptor is invaluable. However, finding and connecting with busy FNP preceptors and PHNP preceptors can be a real challenge in today’s competitive environment. While emailing and cold-calling preceptors is one route, I’ve learned firsthand that making in-person introductions can help your request stand out from the crowd.
As both a practicing FNP and a former FNP preceptor myself, I’m often approached by eager students looking to be taken on for clinical rotations. What has left the biggest impression on me are the students who take the time and effort to introduce themselves to me in-person at my clinic.
These introductions only need to take 5-10 minutes of the preceptor’s time. Come dressed professionally with copies of your resume in hand. Give a brief overview of your background, nursing experience, and current NP program. Explain why you are specifically interested in their clinical environment and specialty. Highlight any shared connections or experiences you may have. Keep it friendly, genuine, and concise. FNP preceptors are human, too.
This simple effort shows preceptors you are serious and passionate about learning from them. It allows you to start building an initial personal relationship – a valuable foundation for an extended preceptorship. It gives the preceptor a chance to assess if you might be a good fit for their practice. And it can leave a memorable first impression that helps your follow-up requests stand apart.
If an in-person stop-by isn’t feasible, even an introductory phone call can help in making that vital personal connection versus a generic email request.
However you make first contact, don’t get discouraged if FNP preceptors cannot commit right away. Persistence and consistent follow-ups are key. Offer to take the FNP preceptor out for coffee to discuss options further. If they are unable to take you on, ask if they can recommend colleagues who may be looking for students.
Another strategy is to inquire if the preceptor would consider taking you on in exchange for a small honorarium as compensation for their supervision and time. Many preceptors appreciate this gesture, and even a nominal amount like $100-200 can sway some to open a rotation spot. Just be sure you approach this politely, not as an assumption. Many preceptors charge much more than this, but if you find a doctor or NP that doesn’t normally take students and you work to make them feel comfortable, they may surprise you by showing empathy and offer to take you for free. If you are truly desperate and can’t afford the Preceptor Tree services, which can get you a PMHNP preceptor or FNP preceptor within a week, offer to ask the MD or NP if they will let you work for them a week and if it doesn’t work out, you’ll understand and go somewhere else. Yes, they will have to sign a commitment form from your school outlining how many hours they will take you, but they can always break that agreement. So if you get them to commit to just two days, and if they don’t like it, they can back out. But if they DO agree to take you those two days, make sure you show up with bagels or donuts or something nice for. the preceptor and more importantly work your butt off those two days. Try to read the body language of the preceptor: do they like to be left alone, or do they like to chat. If you sense they don’t like to have a lot of conversations, make yourself known on the sidelines, stay out of their way but be sure to thank them. And by the end of the week, ask if you can come back.
Securing rotations with FNP Preceptors and finding FNP preceptorships takes time, dedication, and creativity. But going the extra mile to thoughtfully introduce yourself in-person to a FNP preceptor can help demonstrate your passion and commitment to the preceptor. And it may just unlock exciting opportunities to learn from some of the best nurse practitioners in your desired specialty. The effort is well worth it to gain experience that will fuel your success as you embark on your advanced practice nursing career. Even if you only have one hour a week, consider using it to drive to the office of a prospective FNP preceptor and ask this fnp preceptor if you can take two minutes of their time. The two minutes of their time may open their heart and you find a new lifelong colleague, or at least one fnp preceptor that you didn’t have before.
