Tips for Finding a Preceptor & Practicum Site
Finding a Practicum Site & Preceptor
Ask those you have professional relationships with if they have recommendations for you
A physician or FNP you know
Your current place of work, or an affiliate facility
Your own family physician
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Also consider
A retail clinic
Practicum Site Considerations
Practicum Site Selection: Focus Should be on Primary Care
Preceptor Requirements
Patient Population Exposure
NR-511: Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care Practicum
Must take place at a family practice or retail clinic
Core Focus
Formulating differential diagnoses of individuals within the primary care setting
Practicum experiences may include:
Processing client information
Interpreting lab studies
Cardiovascular risk assessment/management
NR-601: Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum
Must take place at a family practice or retail clinic
Core Focus
Common health problems and healthcare needs of the middle-aged and older adult
Further develop your skills related to patient education, protocol development, follow-up and referral Finding a Practicum Site & Preceptor.
Practicum experiences may include:
Older adult cognitive/functional ability assessment
Older adult nutritional assessment
Performance of primary care-related skills within scope of preceptor
NR-602: Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family Practicum
Core Focus
Healthcare needs of women and families throughout reproductive and childrearing years
Practicum experiences may include:
Performing well-woman and well-child exams
STD diagnosis and treatment
Performing full pelvic exams
NR-603: Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan Practicum Finding a Practicum Site & Preceptor
Core Focus
Expand the theoretical and practical knowledge of health assessment principles specific to the role of the FNP
Practicum experiences may include:
Health promotion and prevention of illness
Diagnosis and management of health problems across lifespan
Performance of primary care-related skills within scope of preceptor
NR-661: APN Capstone Practicum
Core Focus
Clinical management skills, case studies, chart reviews, and practice critique, with a capstone product evidencing increasing complex clinical management skills Finding a Practicum Site & Preceptor
Practicum experiences may include:
Performance of primary care-related skills within scope of preceptor
Imbedded national certification exam review program
Developed by APEA, Advanced Practice Education Associates
You may complete your practicums with your current employer as long as …
üPreceptor is not your direct supervisor
üSite provides necessary patient exposure
üPracticum experiences are outside of your typical work area
Scheduling and Time Management
Why Start So Early?
Unplanned situations can occur
Scheduling conflicts with preceptors
Practicum sites not delivering as planned
Trouble finding appropriate patient exposure
Clinical Affiliation Agreement
Can take several weeks to months to obtain
Practicum Site Requirements
Contacting Sites & Preceptors
Be Professional
Sites may evaluate you for future employment
Be Prepared
Have your goals, preceptor requirements, practicum requirements, timeframe and expectations clearly outlined
These can be found in your FNP Practicum Handbook and Toolkit
Be Appreciative Finding a Practicum Site & Preceptor.