The Smart Way to Find a Colorado Springs Nurse Practitioner Preceptor

To find a Colorado Springs nurse practitioner preceptor, start by reaching out to local universities, hospitals, and clinics that host NP students for clinical rotations such as UCHealth Memorial or Charis Medical Center. You can also use preceptor matching services like NPHub to connect with verified preceptors faster, meet your school’s requirements, and secure your placement with confidence.

TL;DR: Finding a Colorado Springs Nurse Practitioner Preceptor

• Finding a preceptor in Colorado Springs is tough, but it’s not impossible. With current shortages and high demand, preparation and early outreach are key to securing your spot.
• Colorado’s Full Practice Authority (FPA) gives NP students the chance to learn in one of the most independent and patient-centered practice environments in the country.
• Top programs and systems like the University of Colorado Anschutz, UCHealth Memorial, and Charis Medical Center provide structured mentorship and clinical learning opportunities, but placement availability fills quickly.
• You can find your preceptor two ways: by doing it yourself (free but time-consuming) or through preceptor matching services like NPHub, which handle the search, documentation, and coordination for you.
• If your deadline is approaching, act now. Create your free NPHub account to access vetted Colorado Springs preceptors who meet your school’s requirements — and get your clinical rotation secured before time runs out.
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The Heart of Colorado Springs and the NP Journey

You’ve spent weeks searching for a Colorado Springs nurse practitioner preceptor, from sending emails, calling clinics to following leads from classmates and still, nothing sticks. 

Every “sorry, we’re not taking students” hits a little harder when your clinical rotation deadline keeps moving closer because finding someone willing to help you cross the finish line can turn into one of the hardest parts of becoming a future advanced practice nurse.

Because this isn’t just about completing hours. It’s about stepping into your practice role for the first time and applying everything you’ve learned, caring for real patients, and gaining the kind of confidence only experience can give. 

Colorado Springs is a powerful place to take that step. Its healthcare community combines primary care, military medicine, and a deep sense of service that makes every rotation a chance to learn and grow. But with current shortagesand limited clinical sites, many NP students still spend months trying to complete their program’s requirements before graduation.

That’s where preparation, and the right kind of support, makes all the difference. If you want to have a head-start in your NP preceptor search in Colorado Springs create a free NPHub account to find and secure in matter of days a vetted Colorado Springs preceptors who meet your school’s criteria and is ready to help you with your next rotation without the stress or uncertainty.

Let's explore the key resources that can help you find your perfect preceptor in Colorado Springs, from local universities and healthcare systems that support NP students, to how you can secure your placement faster through trusted preceptor matching services

Universities and Healthcare Systems That Support Colorado Springs Clinical Placements

Colorado Springs continues to strengthen its network of nursing education programs and clinical training opportunities for nurse practitioner students. 

Across the city, universities, healthcare systems, and community agencies work together to help students gain clinical experience, meet their program’s requirements, and step confidently into their advanced nursing practice roles.

With Full Practice Authority (FPA) in Colorado, nurse practitioners can evaluate patients, diagnose, prescribe, and manage treatment independently. This progressive practice environment allows students completing their clinical rotations here to see firsthand how NPs lead in primary care settings and beyond. 

The state’s 7,600 active nurse practitioners, many of whom practice in primary care, acute, and mental health specialty areas, create a dynamic and supportive environment for mentorship and professional growth.

Below are some of the leading universities and healthcare systems in Colorado Springs that help NP students develop clinical competence, meet certification requirements, and gain hands-on experience guided by qualified preceptors:

University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing

The University of Colorado Anschutz is widely recognized as one of Colorado’s leaders in nursing education. The program prioritizes high-quality clinical experience that aligns with each student’s clinical learning objectives. Students are matched with preceptors who provide invaluable guidance, mentorship, and real-time feedback, helping them grow from learners into confident future advanced practice nurses.

CU Anschutz offers simulation-based training that mirrors real-world patient care scenarios, helping students strengthen critical thinking and build competence before entering clinical environments. Each clinical placement connects students with top healthcare employers, creating professional relationships that often lead to job offers after graduation.

By combining classroom preparation with supervised practice, CU Anschutz ensures students not only complete their required precepted hours but also gain meaningful exposure to diverse specialty areas, from primary care to acute and women’s health.

UCHealth Memorial Hospital System

UCHealth Memorial is one of the cornerstone healthcare systems in Colorado Springs, known for its strong commitment to student mentorship and advanced nursing education. Through partnerships with universities and individual agencies, the hospital system provides a range of clinical placements in primary care, urgent care, and hospital-based environments.

NP students at UCHealth Memorial gain exposure to direct patient care, interactive team-based practice, and essential documentation processes that meet both hospital and school requirements. The program emphasizes professional development through structured feedback, evaluation, and collaboration with experienced clinicians.

Placements are coordinated through My Clinical Exchange to ensure compliance and equitable access. Due to high demand and current shortages, students are encouraged to work closely with their faculty coordinators and submit placement requests at least eight weeks in advance. 

UCHealth’s three main sites, Memorial Hospital Central, Memorial Hospital North, and Memorial Urgent Care at Circle Square, all offer opportunities for hands-on learning that help students develop confidence and clinical competence.

Charis Medical Center

Charis Medical Center is one of Colorado Springs’ most supportive community clinics for NP and DNP students, offering a dedicated Preceptorship Program for those pursuing careers in psychiatric mental health, primary care, and family practice. 

Students work directly with patients, applying classroom knowledge to real clinical cases and developing the communication, assessment, and management skills that define effective advanced nursing practice.

The clinic treats a wide variety of patients and helps students complete their clinical learning objectives in diverse patient populations. Because placements are limited, students are encouraged to communicate their school’s documentation and scheduling needs early to ensure compliance with program standards.

For many nurse practitioner students, the experience at Charis offers the kind of mentorship and role developmentthat turns academic training into professional confidence.

Each of these organizations plays a vital role in the success of nurse practitioner education in Colorado Springs. Through clinical rotations, hands-on training, and mentorship, they prepare students to transition into independent advanced practice with such confidence that they’re ready to serve their communities from day one.

But even with these opportunities, current shortages and high demand mean spots can fill up quickly. Many NP students turn to their own outreach contacting clinics, agencies, or primary care settings directly, while others rely on preceptor matching services that simplify the process, handle documentation, and connect them with qualified preceptors faster.

If your semester is approaching and you haven’t found a placement yet, now is the time to act. By creating a free NPHub account, you’ll gain instant access to available Colorado Springs nurse practitioner preceptors, verified by our team to meet your school’s requirements. 

You’ll be able to review openings, request rotations, and start your match process right away, before those last available spots are gone.

Finding Colorado Springs NP Preceptors: The Free Way vs. The Paid Way

If you’ve been searching for a Colorado Springs nurse practitioner preceptor, you already know how overwhelming it can be. You’re balancing work, classes, and family, while trying to meet your program’s clinical requirements and most days, it feels like all your effort is just bouncing off full inboxes and unanswered calls.

So what’s the best way to find a preceptor? You really have two main paths: doing it yourself (the free way) or using professional preceptor matching services (the paid way). Both can work, it just depends on your timeline, your comfort level, and how much time you have left in your semester.

The Free Way: Doing It Yourself

Most NP students start their search the same way reaching out to clinics, sending emails to primary care or women’s health practices, and hoping someone has space for one more student. 

There’s a real sense of ownership in finding your own clinical placement, and if you have the time, it can be a great way to build professional connections.

Pros of the Free Way:

• No cost: You don’t have to pay for placement help.
• Networking value: You build relationships directly with nurse practitioners and local clinics that could lead to jobs later.
• Personal experience: You get to practice professional communication and advocacy early in your career.
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Cons of the Free Way:

• Time-consuming: It can take weeks or even months to secure a placement.
• Limited access: Many clinics only take students from affiliated universities or programs.
• Uncertainty: You won’t always know if your preceptor meets your school’s documentation and credentialing standards until it’s too late.
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In Colorado Springs, where current shortages and limited clinical sites create strong competition, most students who go the DIY route send out 30–50 emails before hearing back from one potential preceptor. It’s a process that requires patience, persistence, and a lot of follow-up.

The Paid Way: Using Preceptor Matching Services

Then there’s the paid way by working with a professional matching service like NPHub. These services are designed to take the weight of the search off your shoulders by connecting you directly with qualified preceptors who have already been vetted and approved for student clinical rotations.

Pros of the Paid Way:

• Speed: Matches can often be confirmed in days instead of months.
• Confidence: All preceptors are verified to meet your program’s requirements and carry the right credentials.
• Peace of mind: Services handle paperwork, communication, and site coordination.
• Protection: With NPHub’s Perfect Preceptor Promise, if your preceptor cancels or isn’t approved, we’ll find a replacement — or refund you in full.
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Cons of the Paid Way:

• Cost: There’s an upfront investment, which some students find difficult.
• Limited customization: Some placements may be outside your preferred clinic or specialty area.
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Still, for many nurse practitioner students, the tradeoff is worth it, especially when deadlines are near and every week without a placement feels like a setback. The support, structure, and guaranteed timeline can make all the difference between graduating on schedule or falling behind an entire semester.

Whether you choose the free way or the paid way, what matters most is moving forward with clarity and confidence. The goal is the same: finding the right preceptor who not only meets your school’s standards but also helps you grow into a capable, compassionate provider.

If your search has stretched longer than you planned or you’re ready for help that actually gets results, creating your free NPHub account is the best next step. You’ll be able to explore available preceptors in Colorado Springs, review real openings, and start your match request today.

You’ve Come Too Far to Stop Now

There’s a moment in every nurse practitioner student’s journey when the exhaustion starts to outweigh the excitement. 

You’ve done the coursework, submitted the applications, reached out to clinics, and checked your email more times than you can count and still, the search for your NP preceptor feels like it’s going nowhere.

You start second-guessing everything: Did I wait too long? Did I say the wrong thing? Am I running out of time? The truth is, you didn’t do anything wrong. The system simply isn’t built for how many NP students are out there right now, and that’s the hardest part: knowing how much you’ve worked for this, yet feeling like your future depends on someone finally replying “yes.”

But that “yes” is closer than you think. You’ve already proven you’re committed, you’re not just looking for a preceptor, you’re trying to build your career the right way, with integrity and heart and that’s exactly the kind of NP student preceptors want to teach, and exactly the kind of student we created NPHub for.

At NPHub, we understand what’s at stake. We’re not just matching students with qualified preceptors, we’re protecting your timeline, your peace of mind, and your ability to graduate on schedule. 

Through our network of over 2.000 vetted preceptors, you’ll have access to rotation openings that meet your program’s requirements, all while knowing that our Perfect Preceptor Promise has you covered if anything changes along the way.

Create your free account today, explore available placements, and take one step closer to finishing strong. Your rotation is waiting, and so is your next chapter as a confident, independent NP.

FAQ: Finding a Colorado Springs Nurse Practitioner Preceptor

1. How can I find a nurse practitioner preceptor in Colorado Springs?

The best way to find a Colorado Springs nurse practitioner preceptor is to start by reaching out to your school’s clinical placement coordinator and checking with local healthcare systems like UCHealth Memorial or Charis Medical Center, which often host NP students. You can also expand your search to community health centers, private primary care practices, or specialty clinics that take students year-round. If time is tight, preceptor matching serviceslike NPHub can connect you directly with vetted qualified preceptors who already meet your program’s requirements and are ready to teach.

2. What makes Colorado Springs a good place for NP clinical rotations?

Colorado Springs offers an ideal learning environment for nurse practitioner students. The city’s healthcare system blends primary care, acute care, mental health, and military medicine, giving students diverse exposure to patient populations and practice settings. Because Colorado maintains Full Practice Authority (FPA), nurse practitioners here work independently — evaluating patients, diagnosing, prescribing, and managing care. That means students get to see advanced practice in its purest form, building the kind of clinical experience and confidence that translate directly into strong, independent careers.

3. Why is it so hard to find preceptors in Colorado Springs right now?

The challenge comes down to current shortages and the growing number of students pursuing NP degrees. Colorado’s programs are expanding faster than its clinical training capacity, and many qualified preceptors already mentor students from affiliated universities. Add in heavy workloads, limited clinic space, and credentialing requirements, and it’s easy to see why nurse practitioner students face long waits. That’s why more students are turning to preceptor matching services to secure their placements early and avoid delays in graduation.

4. When should I start looking for a preceptor for my rotation?

Start your search as early as possible — ideally three to six months before your next clinical rotation begins. This gives you time to gather documents, verify credentials, and get school approval for your chosen preceptor. Many clinics plan their schedules months in advance, and waiting too long can limit your options. If you’re short on time, consider reaching out to matching services like NPHub, which can often secure placements within days.

5. Can I do my NP clinical rotations outside of Colorado Springs?

Yes. Many programs allow NP students to complete rotations outside their immediate city, as long as the site and preceptor meet all school requirements. Expanding your search to nearby areas like Pueblo, Castle Rock, or Auroracan increase your chances of finding an available preceptor. Always check with your faculty coordinator before confirming an external site to make sure your hours will count toward graduation.

6. How does the free way of finding a preceptor compare to using a paid service?

Doing it yourself — the free way — means reaching out to clinics and NPs directly, following up persistently, and managing all documentation yourself. It’s free, but it can take months and doesn’t guarantee approval. Using a paid service like NPHub eliminates that uncertainty. NPHub connects you with pre-screened Colorado Springs preceptorswho meet your program’s requirements, coordinates with your school, and manages the paperwork so you can focus on preparing for your rotation. It’s faster, more reliable, and often less stressful, especially if you’re approaching your start date.

7. How much do preceptor matching services cost, and are they worth it?

Costs vary depending on your specialty, location, and clinical setting. However, many students find that investing in a preceptor matching service is worth it to avoid delayed graduation or the cost of retaking a semester. With NPHub, you’re covered by the Perfect Preceptor Promise — if your placement isn’t found, or if your preceptor cancels, you get a replacement or a full refund. It’s designed to make your investment completely safe while saving you time and stress.

8. What documentation do I need before starting a clinical rotation?

Most NP programs require a set of standard documents before approving your clinical placement. These typically include your preceptor’s credentials, a signed affiliation agreement, proof of liability insurance, health and immunization records, and any background check or onboarding forms required by the clinical site. Services like NPHub help students collect and verify all necessary documents, ensuring they meet their program’s standards before the start of the rotation.

9. What if my preceptor cancels at the last minute?

It’s rare, but it happens — clinics can close, preceptors get sick, or schedules change. If your preceptor cancels before your rotation starts, immediately notify your school’s faculty coordinator to protect your enrollment status. If you’re placed through NPHub, you’re covered by the Full Replacement Promise — meaning you’ll get a new match quickly at no additional cost, keeping your clinical timeline intact.

10. How do I know if my preceptor meets my school’s requirements?

Every school has slightly different criteria, but most require that your preceptor is a licensed nurse practitioner with at least one to two years of experience in your chosen specialty area. They must also be approved by your program’s facultybefore you start counting clinical hours. Before committing to a site, confirm that your preceptor’s credentials, specialty, and documentation align with your program’s checklist. When using NPHub, this vetting process is handled for you, ensuring your rotation qualifies from day one.

Key Definitions: Understanding NP Clinical Placements in Colorado Springs

• Full Practice Authority (FPA):
  A policy that allows nurse practitioners in Colorado to evaluate patients, diagnose illnesses, interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications independently — without physician oversight. It gives NPs full autonomy to practice to the highest level of their education and training.
• Preceptor:
  An experienced nurse practitioner or clinician who supervises and mentors students during their clinical rotations. Preceptors provide real-world guidance, oversee patient care activities, and help students meet their clinical learning objectives.
• Clinical Rotation:
  A hands-on training experience where NP students work in real healthcare settings under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. Rotations allow students to apply classroom knowledge to patient care and fulfill required clinical hours for graduation.
• Preceptor Matching Service:
  A professional service, like NPHub, that connects nurse practitioner students with verified qualified preceptors. These services help students find, vet, and secure placements — handling documentation, scheduling, and school communication.
• Program Requirements:
  The specific clinical, academic, and documentation standards set by an NP program to ensure students meet licensure and graduation eligibility. Requirements vary by university and often dictate acceptable preceptor specialties and site types.
• Clinical Site:
  A healthcare facility — such as a primary care clinic, hospital, or community health center — where nurse practitioner students complete their clinical rotations. Each site provides unique learning opportunities depending on its patient population and specialty focus.
• Clinical Learning Objectives:
  The educational goals set for each clinical rotation, outlining what skills, competencies, and outcomes students must achieve before completing their placement. These often include patient assessment, diagnosis, management, and communication skills.
• Qualified Preceptor:
  A licensed clinician — usually an NP, MD, or PA — who meets your program’s criteria to supervise students in a clinical setting. Qualified preceptors must have sufficient experience, credentials, and active practice in the relevant specialty area.
• Precepted Hours:
  The time spent working directly with patients under the supervision of a preceptor. These hours count toward your total required clinical experience and are tracked and verified by your school to ensure you meet your program’s minimum standards.

About the author

• NPHub Staff
  At NPHub, we live and breathe clinical placements. Our team is made up of nurse practitioners, clinical coordinators, placement advisors, and former students who’ve been through the process themselves. We work directly with NP students across the country to help them secure high-quality preceptorships and graduate on time with confidence.
• Last updated
  October 3, 2025
• Fact-checked by
  NPHub Clinical Placement Experts & Student Support Team
• Sources and references
  
  • https://www.coloradonursingcenter.org/annual-report/#flipbook-df_5347/11/
  • https://www.cpr.org/2024/09/10/mercer-report-predicts-health-care-worker-shortages-in-colorado/
  • https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/advocacy-resource/policy-briefs/issues-full-practice-brief
  • https://www.nphub.com/blog/best-preceptor-matching-service
  • https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/degrees-programs/clinicals
  • https://www.uchealth.org/professionals/education-programs/memorial-student-resources/
  • https://www.charismedicalcenter.com/students
  • https://www.nphub.com/perfect-preceptor-promise
  • https://www.nphub.com/find-preceptors