When I began my clinical rotations for my Family Nurse Practitioner program, I felt confident about the clinical sites that I had lined up for at least the next two semesters. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic worsened, clinical placements began to fall through. Many of my classmates found themselves in similar predicaments, unsure of what to do next. Networking became an absolute must. I began revamping my resume, and frantically sifting through contacts in my phone and on my social media accounts for possible connections. As I progressed through my program, I often worried that I would not be able to complete the required number of clinical hours and graduate on time. Unfortunately, many of my classmates were in the same boat.  

A huge factor to consider when choosing a Nurse Practitioner program is preceptorship. More specifically, it is important to consider how preceptors will be secured and who is responsible for reaching out to them. These details should be carefully considered before finalizing one's decision on a Nurse Practitioner program. The COVID-19 pandemic led many practices and clinics to quickly change protocols and to stop accepting students (temporarily or even indefinitely); for some, this made the search for preceptors seem almost hopeless. Prior to the pandemic, it was possible to secure a preceptorship by personally visiting a clinic/office with your resume in hand…and perhaps also a plate of baked goods to share with the staff and providers! Sadly, this does not seem prudent or advisable in the current COVID-19 climate.

Previous outpatient and inpatient work experiences may make securing preceptors easier for some students since they already have contacts with providers before entering clinical rotations. Nevertheless, continuous networking is crucial. At any job, shadowing, or volunteer opportunity, it is important to always be professional and make a good impression. Connections can make all the difference, even the ones you do not necessarily expect to be significant for your specific career path.

As a fairly introverted person, I had to really push myself to connect with everyone at each clinic or medical office I would be working, volunteering, or being precepted at. It is a great habit to create and also just a friendly thing to do. This mindset has helped me to break out of my shell more, and I believe that to be an accomplishment in itself. Always take pride in the fact that you stepped out of your comfort zone to expand your circle. I say this because doing so may not always be easy for introverted people but as you progress in your career, challenging yourself is vital to personal and professional growth. Through consistent networking, I learned how to confidently answer certain key questions after frequently encountering them in person and through writing (e.g., Why do I deserve to be a nurse practitioner student at this potential clinical site?). Constantly putting yourself out there and introducing yourself over and over can be a rather daunting task, but it is an essential one, nonetheless.

With limited connections, it can be challenging to find a clinical site, but it is certainly not impossible. Have an updated resume/CV and cover letter on standby. Be sure to present yourself well in these documents and highlight what skills make you unique. Carrying a professional portfolio (containing licenses, certificates, etc.) may help as well; organization is key. Join professional nursing organizations, especially ones specific to your state. Network on sites like LinkedIn and let everyone (family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, everybody) know that you are in search of a clinical site. Network with everyone in the interdisciplinary health care team. Talk to students in other programs to see how and where they are securing preceptors. Someone may know someone who might get you a lead. Cold calling offices can be an effective method, but this can get tedious very quickly.

There are also NP placement agencies and websites available to aid in the preceptor search. You may also benefit from having RN licenses for neighboring states in order to obtain clinical placements there. The travel can get exhausting and expensive for sure, but it may be worth it for many students. Some preceptors will be gracious enough to continue precepting you for longer than what is expected of them. It does not hurt to ask if you could extend your time at a particular clinical site, especially if you put your best foot forward and remain eager to continue learning. Immerse yourself in the flow of that clinic/office and prove that you belong there because you do!

Nurse Columnist Rima Parikh is a psychiatric RN and an MSN-FNP graduate of Simmons University. She is passionate about public health and community outreach, and hopes to be a mentor to other young nurses and nursing students.