There’s a moment every term—usually around week 10—when my phone won’t stop buzzing. Emails pile up. Voicemails stack. I can’t open Instagram without getting a DM that starts with, “Hi Chloe, I was wondering if you could help me find a preceptor…”
It’s chaos. Every school has different deadlines, but somehow they all land on the same week. And suddenly it’s urgent.
I get it. I’ve been there. You think you have time. You send out a few emails. You don’t hear back. You wait. And then the school emails you: You’re missing documentation. You need your rotation secured ASAP.
This week, I’ve had:
- A student crying on the phone because she emailed 40 clinics and no one replied
- A clinic ghost us after weeks of saying “we’re reviewing the request”
- A preceptor raise their rate last-minute and we had to renegotiate
- Three schools all ask for last-minute verifications and new paperwork
And that’s just Wednesday.
Here’s What I’ve Learned During Deadline Week:
- Don’t panic. We’ll find a way. Maybe not the ideal site, maybe not your first choice, but we will place you.
- Time kills all placements. If someone says yes, move fast. Get the paperwork going. Don’t wait for a “better option.”
- Keep everything in one place. If you’re messaging me on Instagram, emailing me, texting, and calling—it slows things down. Stick to one thread if you can.
- Tell your school you’re actively working on it. Sometimes they just need to know you’re making progress. A lot of schools are more flexible than they sound—if they trust you’re trying.
- You’re not alone. There are so many NP students scrambling right now. I promise you are not the only one behind.
If you’re trying to find a preceptor right now, don’t give up. I know the system’s broken. I know it’s not fair that this responsibility is on your shoulders. But there are clinics out there willing to teach. And we’re talking to them every day.
Hang in there. We’ve got your back. And if we don’t pick up right away, it’s probably because we’re already on the phone with a clinic, doing what we can to make it work. Also check out Clerkship America if you are an IMG.
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Chloe is a Recruitment Coordinator for Preceptor Tree and helps NP students secure clinical placements—especially when everything is due and the clock is ticking.
