 For many nurse practitioner (NP) students, finding a preceptor can feel like one of the most challenging parts of their educational journey. With schools frequently placing the responsibility of finding preceptors on students, it’s no wonder forums are full of questions about the best way to secure clinical placements.
Back when I was an NP student, it was easy. You just asked a colleague. But things have changed. There are One of the most frequently asked questions I see on nursing forums is: “Should I pay a preceptor directly or use a preceptor matching company?” Both approaches have their merits, but ultimately, the decision depends on various factors, including availability, budget, and the quality of the preceptorship experience. Let’s take a closer look at both options. Option 1: Paying a Preceptor Directly Paying a preceptor directly can seem like a straightforward solution. You cut out the middleman and, theoretically, have more control over your preceptor selection and the financial arrangement. This option may work well for students who have access to a network of potential preceptors and prefer handling the communication themselves. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Option 2: Using a Preceptor Matching Company Preceptor matching companies like PreceptorLink® exist to take the stress out of finding a clinical preceptor. These companies maintain a network of vetted preceptors and handle much of the legwork to ensure you have a confirmed placement that aligns with your school’s requirements. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The Bottom Line: Which Is Right for You? Ultimately, the decision between paying a preceptor directly or using a preceptor-matching company comes down to your personal needs and circumstances. If you have a strong network of healthcare providers and have the time and energy to manage your own clinical placements, paying a preceptor directly might work out.. However, if time constraints, uncertainty, and quality assurance are concerns, using a matching company like PreceptorLink® could save you significant stress and ensure you get the best possible learning experience. FIND NURSE PRACTITIONER PRECEPTORS with PreceptorLink® At PreceptorLink®, we understand the challenges that NP students face when searching for preceptors. That’s why we’ve spent over a decade building a vast network of high-quality, vetted preceptors to match you with the right clinical experience. Our mission is to simplify the process, so you can focus on what matters most—your education and future career as a nurse practitioner. FIND NURSE PRACTITIONER PRECEPTORS today with PreceptorLink®, and let us take the guesswork out of securing your clinical rotation.
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 At PreceptorLink®, we strive to operate with transparency, professionalism, and integrity. Unfortunately, not every company in the preceptor-matching industry can say the same. It's time to shed light on misleading practices that harm students, preceptors, and the profession. Please watch out for some of these misleading practices.
1. Hiding from Accountability: Unlike some of our competitors, PreceptorLink® operates openly and proudly. Some competitors, on the other hand, have gone so far as to remove their Better Business Bureau (BBB) listing and claim their company has closed. In reality, they’ve simply rebranded to hide from poor reviews and accountability. At PreceptorLink®, we stand behind our reputation and have nothing to hide. 2. Questionable SEO and Fake Reviews: Companies that rely on blackhat SEO tactics and fake reviews create a false image to lure students. PreceptorLink® doesn’t need to resort to deceptive strategies. Our reviews are real- coming from real students and preceptors who have used our services and know us. A company with thousands of suspicious reviews should raise red flags, and we question the validity of their claims. 3. Name Changes to Avoid Scrutiny: When a company has to change its name to avoid scrutiny, it’s clear there’s something wrong. PreceptorLink® has been proudly operating under the same name because we believe in building trust through consistency, honesty, and quality service. We don't need to rebrand to escape criticism. 4. We Put Integrity First: At PreceptorLink®, we’re committed to providing transparent pricing and a clear process. There are no hidden fees, no bait-and-switch tactics. Our clinical coordinators, who are based in the U.S., understand the nuances of NP clinical placements and are passionate about supporting students and preceptors. We know the challenges because we are nurse practitioner-owned and operated — we live and breathe this profession. We will happily discuss and review our policies if you have questions. We are not trying to trick or deceive you. We really want what is best for you! 5. A Decade of Trust and Dedication: While others may focus on quick profits and shortcuts, we’ve spent the last ten years building a real, extensive database of preceptors across the country. Our focus is on quality placements, not cutting corners. We work tirelessly to ensure that students are matched with preceptors who are the right fit for their educational journey. 6. Standing for the NP Profession: As a company founded and run by an NP, we are passionate about advancing the Nurse Practitioner profession. Our competitors may resort to unethical methods to stay ahead, but we believe in the power of honesty, quality, and long-term relationships. We fight for students, preceptors, and the profession we love — and we always will. 7. Using a Competitor's Name in Ads and Posts: With social media and SEO, people search for a name. When you search “PreceptorLink,” you expect to get PreceptorLink. But if an unethical company uses our trademarked name in their ads and posts, it will appear in the search. It is neither legal nor ethical to use this practice, but some shady companies out there will do anything to get a click. PreceptorLink® does not do shady practices, so we don’t do this. Beware if you run across this unethical (and illegal) tactic! PreceptorLink® does not rely on shady practices or false promises. Our reputation is built on authenticity, professionalism, and a genuine desire to see our students and preceptors succeed. We encourage you to choose a company that operates with integrity — not one that hides from it. Lynn McComas is the CEO and founder of PreceptorLink and a recognized expert in precepting nurse practitioners and advanced practice provider students. With over two decades in primary care, Lynn has served as a coach, advisor, mentor, and preceptor for countless healthcare professionals, including NPs, nurses, and medical assistants. She co-founded a successful skills and procedures business and speaks nationwide on NP-related issues. Lynn is also a regular contributor on LinkedIn, KevinMD, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram @preceptorlink, X @LynnMcComas, and her blog, where she addresses the growing NP and PA professions and the urgent need for preceptor sites. Her unique perspective, shaped by her business, clinical, and educational experiences, positions her as a key voice in tackling preceptor shortages. Lynn is committed to driving change—through a paradigm shift in NP education, reducing barriers, offering preceptor incentives, and advocating for reforms within the profession.  This month marks an incredible milestone for PreceptorLink®—our 10-year anniversary in the preceptor-matching business! As we celebrate this achievement, we want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has played a vital role in our journey.
To the thousands of dedicated preceptors: Thank you for your unwavering commitment to educating and guiding NP, APRN, and nursing students across the nation. You are the foundation upon which the next generation of healthcare providers is built. Your expertise, mentorship, and dedication are transforming lives and shaping the future of healthcare. To our amazing students: Thank you for trusting PreceptorLink® with one of the most important aspects of your education—your preceptor experience. We are honored to have been a part of your journey toward becoming compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals. Whether your search was to find a PMHNP preceptor or to find the ever-elusive pediatric preceptor, our goal is to help you progress with your dream to become an NP! Watching you grow into your roles has been the most rewarding part of what we do. We hope you will become a PreceptorLink® preceptor someday, and it will all come full circle. To the medical community and all our partners: Thank you for supporting PreceptorLink®, the pioneer company in preceptor matching services. As a nurse practitioner-owned business, we understand your needs because this is OUR profession. Unlike our competitors, this is not just a business for us. We are colleagues because this is OUR profession! Your support has been integral to our success, and together, we continue to make strides toward improving healthcare education and practice. Here’s to a decade of making connections, creating opportunities, and helping our profession thrive! We look forward to many more years of innovation and collaboration. Thank you for being a part of the PreceptorLink® family! |
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. Archives
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