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A message to FNP students who are doing their Pediatrics rotations...

3/20/2017

6 Comments

 
pediatric preceptor
​Dear FNP students,
 
I recently had the pleasure of spending 3 days with some amazing pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) colleagues at the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (NAPNAP) Conference in Denver.  I met some of the most wonderful nurse practitioners from across the spectrum: PNPs, students, faculty members, Deans of Nursing, and other types of nurse practitioners (NPs).  It was a sincere pleasure networking with so many nurse practitioners who have dedicated their professional lives to improving the lives of children and their families. As I heard several times over, “Children are NOT little adults!”  They were enthusiastic and earnest in their desire to increase their pediatric knowledge base and to connect with colleagues.  
 
Interspersed in the energy however, I repeatedly encountered a recurrent theme I would like to share with you.  These nurse practitioners are inundated with requests for preceptors.  Most love to teach and want to share their knowledge and passion with the next generation of NPs.  The problem they report is that the next generation of FNP students often appear apathetic and lackadaisical about learning pediatrics!  This disinterest in learning pediatrics is causing these pediatric preceptors to feel disheartened and disinterested in teaching FNP students.  Here are some of the comments they reported FNP students have said in their pediatric rotations: "I am only here to get my hours done and become an FNP.” "I am not going to do peds when I get out- I am only doing this because I have to do this to graduate."  Even if the student doesn’t directly verbalize this, the disinterest is obvious to these dedicated practitioners (and the office staff).  
 
This attitude is unacceptable and troublesome, and it’s causing preceptors to quit precepting.  These pediatric preceptors (whether NP, PA or MD) are dedicating their time to educate you!  Precepting results in decreased productivity, which often results in less income.  They spend their time and energy compiling educational material and carefully crafting teaching plans for you. They miss out on family and personal time so they can stay late and work with you!  They want you to be excited and interested about pediatric healthcare!  It is not fair to these dedicated professionals to act otherwise. We must train our FNPs well in pediatrics because children and their families deserve quality healthcare.
 
FNP students, a disinterested attitude is NOT ok!  FNP faculty, please counsel students that this is NOT acceptable.  FNP schools, please carefully screen students.  Regardless of the area in which you end up working, you must be respectful and appreciative of your preceptor and his/her specialty.  Soak up every morsel of knowledge you can from every clinical rotation.  Before you know it, you will be out and practicing, and lives will depend on you. (If nothing else, it will help you on Boards.)
 
There is a serious preceptor shortage, especially for pediatric rotations, and this is only making the problem worse. I am dedicated to helping improve the preceptor problem for nurse practitioners, and I continue to search for ways we can help with this issue.  Students, being gracious and interested in your clinical rotations will motivate preceptors.  If preceptors don’t feel appreciated, they won’t precept!  Compassion and passion are some of the characteristics that make nurses special.  Demonstrate those behaviors at every clinical rotation.  The profession and your future patients need you and are counting on you. 
6 Comments
Randy Chorvack link
10/10/2019 07:23:47 am

I completely agree that a disinterested attitude isn't okay when you're learning something as important as pediatrics. You want nurses and doctors who are invested in what they're doing so you know they'll give it their best. My wife is training to become a nurse practitioner so I'll remind her to genuinely care about every part of her course.

Reply
Julie Cook
2/5/2020 05:30:21 pm

Hi Lynn,

I was happy to find your website. I am currently searching for a preceptor for my Peds rotation. I am getting a little nervous about this process. Can you please tell me a little more about your website, the cost, and the chances of finding a preceptor?

Thank you so much!

Reply
Daisy Auden link
3/4/2020 08:05:55 pm

First of all, I am very thankful to you. It is very glad to read the article. This article helps people to gain their knowledge in a specific field.
I would like to share some details where it helps the people to gain knowledge
https://registerednurse.nursingconference.com/

Reply
Trevor Wanderlusting link
12/8/2020 03:44:20 am

This is a greatt post

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Allie Lanne
2/24/2021 08:29:42 pm

I'm grateful to find this website. I am in dire need of a pediatric preceptor, I am eager to soak up the knowledge I can gain. I am out of time and extremely nervous about the process. If you can help, please let me know. I really am in dire need. With gratitude, Al

Reply
Marie France Germeille
3/31/2021 11:50:49 pm

I am currently searching for a preceptor for my Pediatric rotation. Thank you

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    About Lynn:

    As a longtime NP with a desire to help and make positive changes to her beloved profession, Lynn often writes opinion pieces about the NP profession. 

    She has written articles for KevinMD as well as several posts on LinkedIn. Her writings have been shared over 50,000 times, and her article entitled "A Message for FNP Students Doing Their Pediatrics Rotations" is often shared by schools of nursing to FNP students. 

    Lynn would love to connect with others who want to make positive changes to the NP profession,  especially related to the preceptor problem. She can be reached at: 
    ​lynn@preceptorlink.com

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