Should Preceptors Be Paid? (Or get something for their time?!) Here’s Why We Think They Should

Preceptors are a mandatory and vital part of NP education. We honestly don’t understand why some in the profession still feel that precepting should be an expected and unrewarded “part of their role.” Imagine if school faculty were expected to work for free or receive a certificate of appreciation!

In our opinion, there is value in precepting, and preceptors should receive something for their time and expertise. What exactly that might be is up to the preceptor and/or the school. For some, it might mean tickets to basketball games or access to library resources, but it also might include an honorarium.

We do feel that schools should bear this cost. If they have to build it into student fees, then so be it. The cost would still be passed on to the student, but it would be the school’s responsibility, not the student’s. We love working with quality schools, by the way! 

No, I did not have to pay a preceptor way back when I got my Master’s NP degree. My school offered to find them nearby, or I could find my own if I wanted someone closer since I drove a couple of hours to school. I got my Masters back in the day when brick and mortar was the norm. I drove two+ hours twice a week to attend class. The expectation back then was that you drove to campus. When I got my doctorate at Duke University, I flew across the country from San Diego to North Carolina. The faculty at Duke acted as my DNP project advisors, but I definitely wanted my own preceptor site closer to home, so I found one on my own. 
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But a lot has changed since then. It’s more complicated to precept today, which makes placement even harder. With nearly 500 NP schools across the nation, the competition is incredible to find a placement. Additionally, it’s more complicated for clinical sites due to malpractice, billing, affiliations, and the bureaucratic nature of the process. I dive into that more in my article on the shortage of nurse practitioner preceptors.

Why Precepting Isn’t as Simple as It Seems

There’s much more involved in precepting than simply supervising a student. Today’s preceptors take on added responsibilities that can directly affect their time, income, and even legal protection.

Many clinicians are on RVU-based reimbursement models, where income depends on the number of patients seen. Taking time to teach can reduce productivity and lead to lost income. In addition, concerns about malpractice liability often arise, especially when there is no clear agreement outlining coverage for students. (I’d recommend ALWAYS have your own malpractice, and include a tail.)

The administrative burden is also heavier than most expect. Affiliation agreements between schools and clinical sites can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate. Some agreements take months to finalize, adding stress to an already full workload. This can be hard on both the preceptor AND their site. 

Time, too, is a major factor. Between patient care, charting, and other responsibilities, most providers already work at capacity. Adding teaching into the mix can feel overwhelming, even for those who value mentoring.

These challenges are real. And they are exactly why we believe preceptors should be compensated or recognized meaningfully for the essential role they play.

Final Thoughts

Preceptors are essential to the future of nursing. Without them, NP students can’t complete their education—and yet, too often, they’re expected to work for free. That expectation simply isn’t sustainable.

We believe preceptors deserve to be compensated or meaningfully recognized for their time, energy, and expertise. Whether it's financial or material compensation, professional perks, or institutional support, their contribution should never be taken for granted.

At PreceptorLink®, we’ve helped thousands of NP students find quality clinical placements. While we wish this process were easier (and less costly), we’re here to help you navigate it with confidence and support.

👉 Find or Become a Preceptor 
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​About Lynn

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.​