How to Find NP Preceptors in Texas: A Complete Student Guide

If you are a nurse practitioner student in Texas, whether FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or another track, clinical rotations are one of the most important and stressful parts of your program. Texas has dozens of NP programs and thousands of students competing for placements. High demand, evolving site expectations, and state-specific requirements make the process challenging. This guide covers what rotations are, how they work in Texas, where the challenges lie, and how to set yourself up for success.

Clinical rotations are not just a graduation requirement. They are where you sharpen your clinical judgment, learn how to manage patient care, and build professional confidence. Strong performance can lead to job offers or professional connections. They also prepare you for licensure by documenting required clinical hours. Treat every rotation as if it were a job interview because they often open doors to your first NP position.

For specific tips on excelling during rotations, see what NP students should do and not do for clinical rotations.

​Here is how rotations usually work in Texas. Your program sets required hours and specialties. You secure a preceptor, sometimes with school assistance. An affiliation agreement must be signed between your school and the clinical site. You complete supervised hours, receive evaluations, and submit documentation for approval. A few schools such as TWU, UT Health San Antonio, and Cizik School of Nursing help with placements, but most students are responsible for finding their own preceptors.

Rotations in Texas are challenging because of high competition for limited preceptors, provider burnout reduces the willingness to teach, affiliation agreements often take months to finalize, and geographic barriers add complexity in rural regions. Demand far exceeds supply, especially in major cities like Dallas and Austin. Texas is projected to need more than 13,000 additional nurse practitioners by 2036, yet over 60 percent of counties are designated shortage areas. But what I hear in the real world is that it is very hard for new grads to find jobs in certain cities. This will translate when it comes to a preceptor search. If it’s hard for a new grad to find a job, it will likely be hard for a student to find a placement. You may need to be more flexible if you are in an impacted area. 

Where you rotate matters. In large cities such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, you may access specialists, high acuity cases, large health systems, and networking opportunities. The tradeoff is limited preceptor availability, long onboarding, and challenges with Affiliation Agreements. If your school doesn’t already have one in place with a large healthcare institution, the site is unlikely to add another school. Then you find you’re shut out of multiple options in the area. In rural regions, students often gain more responsibility, closer mentorship, and broader patient exposure.

Many students report that rural placements become the best part of their program. Border and underserved regions such as South Texas or the Rio Grande Valley provide unique opportunities to serve communities in need, build cultural competence, and gain experience with interdisciplinary teams. These sites often welcome students and can offer stipends, housing, or future job opportunities. And, you’ll get to buff up on your Spanish, a skill that can make you more marketable. HRSA sites can be a great option. You can use this HRSA tool to find Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) across Texas. 

Preceptors in Texas must be an NP, MD, DO, PA, or other approved provider, practicing in the same specialty, in good standing with their board, and working in a clinical site that meets school requirements. There is no statewide list, so eligibility must be confirmed with your school.

To secure a preceptor in Texas, start early, ideally 4 to 6 months in advance, and even earlier in cities. Ask your school for preceptor lists and information on approved sites. Use a professional matching service such as PreceptorLink® if you are short on time or struggling to find options. Tap into your network by asking classmates, coworkers, and local NPs, and use professional groups on Facebook or LinkedIn. When contacting a preceptor, be professional, include who you are, what you need, your school, your dates, and attach a polished cover letter and CV. See also Preparing for Clinicals: 13 Essential Questions To Ask Before You Start to help you get ready for each rotation.

Affiliation agreements are often the biggest source of delay. These legal contracts can take 30 to 90 days or more to finalize. Always ask your school which sites are already affiliated, especially if you need inpatient or ER or are trying to secure a preceptor at a large facility. Your school knows where they have affiliations in place! It always frustrates me when students say their school won’t tell them. Really, this is the least they can do! If your chosen site is new, begin paperwork immediately and stay in close contact with your school coordinator. You may need to follow up directly to move things forward. At PreceptorLink® we help facilitate this process and reduce bottlenecks.

The Texas Board of Nursing requires that all clinical placements follow strict standards. Sites must provide appropriate learning experiences, written agreements must be in place, preceptors must be credentialed, and faculty must retain oversight even if preceptors supervise. Students may only accept clinical tasks they are prepared for and must seek supervision when faced with new or unfamiliar situations. Clinical records and evaluations must be properly documented and retained by the school.

In summary, NP clinical rotations in Texas are competitive, time-consuming, and often overwhelming, but they are also an opportunity to grow and launch your career. Plan early, keep an open mind about rural or underserved areas, and use every available resource, including your school, your network, and professional placement services. Treat rotations as job interviews, show up prepared, and build lasting professional relationships.

​If you need help finding a preceptor in Texas, PreceptorLink® connects NP students with vetted placements across specialties and supports you through paperwork, communication, and coordination with your school. Visit the PreceptorLink app to start your search today!​​