Start with written program rules
Download or request the current practicum manual, course overview, and preceptor qualification list. Rules change. Do not rely on a classmate’s experience from a previous term.
Write down hour totals, population requirements, acceptable degrees and certifications, prohibited settings, and the application deadline. That sheet becomes your filter for every conversation.
Build a search list, then contact people
Useful lists include clinics, private practices, health systems, and individual nurse practitioners who already work in your specialty. Faculty, alumni, and employers are legitimate starting points. Cold outreach works better when the first message includes dates, hours, and your university’s credential rules.
Keep a log. Follow up once. If a site has a student placement office, use that process instead of messaging individual clinicians first.
Verify, then nominate
Before you submit a name to your university, confirm license status, specialty alignment, availability, and whether the site will host a student. Then complete the school’s current forms. Incomplete packets are a common reason for delay.
If you cannot locate a qualified option in time, request help from PreceptorFinder with the same requirement sheet you used for outreach.
Frequently asked questions
What is a nursing preceptor?
A nursing preceptor is a licensed clinician who supervises a student during a practicum or clinical rotation. The preceptor provides oversight, feedback, and documentation required by the student’s university.
How do I find an NP preceptor?
Start with your program’s current preceptor and site rules, then search among qualified clinicians in the required specialty and location. Many students also ask PreceptorFinder for help locating options after they understand those requirements.
Can I find a preceptor near me?
Location matters, but “near me” still depends on specialty, credential, site policies, and university approval. Some students need to widen the search radius or consider additional settings that still meet program rules.
What information do I need before I start looking?
Have your university name, degree track, required hours, specialty or population, preferred dates, and any site restrictions. Your practicum manual or course coordinator is the source of those rules.
How many clinical hours do I need?
Hour requirements vary by program, course, and specialty. Confirm the current number, the type of hours, and whether observation, simulation, or telehealth hours count with your university.