When people imagine becoming a Nurse Practitioner, they picture long study hours, challenging exams, and meaningful patient care. What they don’t picture — and what too few talk about — is the hunt for a clinical preceptor.
Across the country, NP programs are enrolling more students than ever, charging thousands in tuition — including fees for clinical placements. But here’s the reality many students face: the college collects the tuition, then leaves the student to secure their own preceptor.
It sounds minor until you’re the one making the calls, sending the emails, and hearing “sorry, we’re not taking students” over and over. In some areas, the shortage of preceptors is so severe that students:
- Delay graduation because they can’t find a clinical site in time
- Pay out-of-pocket to work with a private preceptor (sometimes hundreds to thousands of dollars)
- Drop a semester entirely and still owe tuition or fees
It’s a system that feels backwards — students are paying for a service that isn’t truly being provided.
Yes, finding clinical placements is competitive. Yes, preceptors are busy professionals. But when programs are expanding enrollment, marketing “supportive” learning environments, and charging full tuition, there should be accountability for helping students fulfill all program requirements — not just the classroom ones.
This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about fairness, transparency, and ensuring that the next generation of NPs can actually enter the workforce on time.
đź’ˇ A Call for Change:
- NP programs need to be honest during admissions about their role in securing preceptors
- Tuition should reflect the level of placement support actually offered
- Partnerships between schools and clinical sites must be strengthened before enrollment grows further
Students are already investing their time, money, and energy into this profession. They shouldn’t have to fight alone for the opportunity to complete the very training they’ve already paid for.