Your Guide to Finding an NP Preceptor

Some nurse practitioner programs require their students to find a clinical preceptor–someone who serves as a teacher, role model, leader, influencer, evaluator, and socialization agent for an apprentice nurse practitioner. No big deal, right? How hard can finding an NP preceptor really be?

Finding a person, let alone the right person for this position can be fraught with anxiety, especially when you, as a student, are asking someone to do this for you. Never fear! This article outlines a few resources and advice to get you started on your quest to find the perfect preceptor.

I originally wrote this article for Clinician1, the social media site for nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. Click here to sign up.

Get Yourself Ready

Before you start asking people for help finding a preceptor, you’ll want to make sure your resume is up to date. You’ll also want to prepare your “elevator pitch”–a short paragraph that introduces yourself and explains what you’re looking for, including your clinical specialty and needed practice setting. You should have a few professional references on hand and your school transcript. Preceptors are often bombarded with student candidates, so think of this like a job interview– be prepared and put your best foot forward.

American Nurses Credentialing Center Preceptor Bank

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) can link students with preceptors who have undergone a rigorous screening process. All universities across the United States who are in the ANCC Certification Eligibility Curriculum Review Program (CECRP) have access to this database of preceptors. You can check to see if your school has access here. If so, you can speak directly to your school for a list of potential preceptors.

ENP Network

The ENP Network, a professional network for nurse practitioners, offers students the ability to search for preceptors using the Find a Preceptor tool, which includes a list of over 1,000 preceptors across all specialties. Searching the Fine a Preceptor directory is free; however, you can also pay $90 for a 3-month “access pass,” which provides email notifications and extended information about each preceptor as well as their contact information.

LinkedIn is a professional social networking website where you can make an online resume and connect with recruiters, national organizations, and other professionals. LinkedIn is a good way to look for a preceptor. Start by making an account and filling out your profile. Then, you can search for other nurse practitioners in your area and filter by their place of employment. You can then connect with them and see if they might be interested in being your preceptor. LinkedIn is free, but you can also pay extra to be able to contact people whom you haven’t connected with yet.

State Boards of Nursing

State Boards of Nursing often ask licensed nurse practitioners whether they are interested in being a preceptor and whether they are willing to share their information. Consider contacting your state’s board of nursing and asking what resources they have to connect you with practicing nurse practitioners.

Local Hospitals

You can also contact hospitals in the area where you want to practice. They might direct you to the department of your specialty, connecting you with a bunch of different nurse practitioners. Make sure your resume is updated as they will likely request a copy.

Local Nurse Practitioner Groups & Organizations

Contact the nurse practitioner organization in the area where you would like to find a preceptor. These groups can often point you to someone in your specialty who is willing to be your preceptor. State nurse practitioner associations are listed below.

Your Guide to Finding an NP Preceptor

Get Yourself Ready

American Nurses Credentialing Center Preceptor Bank

ENP Network

LinkedIn

State Boards of Nursing

Local Hospitals

Local Nurse Practitioner Groups & Organizations

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

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