How to Find an NP Preceptor in Rhode Island

TL;DR: Finding and Matching Nurse Practitioner Preceptors

• Rhode Island is a full practice authority state — NPs can diagnose, prescribe, and practice independently from day one of licensure, making every clinical hour during training especially consequential.
• The state's smallest size creates a concentrated but competitive preceptor market, particularly in Providence where Brown University Health, URI's College of Nursing, and Care New England all draw from the same provider pool.
• The Rhode Island Department of Health's Primary Care Training Sites Program actively funds preceptor compensation at community-based practices — a meaningful resource that most students never find.
• Start your search at least six months before your rotation start date. Use a combination of direct outreach, social networks, and a vetted matching service as a parallel strategy.
• Create your free NPHub account and get matched with a Rhode Island preceptor in 2–3 weeks →

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Overview for Nurse Practitioner Preceptorships in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country by area, but its healthcare density is substantial. Providence, Newport, and the surrounding communities host a healthcare ecosystem anchored by Brown University Health — the largest integrated health system in the state — as well as Care New England Health System (including Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, and Kent Hospital), the Providence VA Medical Center, and a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers and community-based primary care practices.

For NP students, this means clinical placement opportunities are geographically concentrated and accessible, but so is competition. Multiple NP programs — the University of Rhode Island's College of Nursing, Rhode Island College, and out-of-state online programs whose students seek placements in-state — all draw from the same pool of willing preceptors. Add competition from PA and MD students at Brown's Alpert Medical School, and the preceptor availability picture becomes clearer: there are good options in Rhode Island, but they are not unlimited, and they go to students who move early.

Common clinical sites in Rhode Island. Rhode Island Hospital (593 Eddy Street, Providence) is the principal teaching hospital of the Warren Alpert Medical School and the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in the state. The Miriam Hospital in Providence is a major teaching affiliate with a strong internal medicine and primary care training environment. Brown Medicine operates six primary care practices across Rhode Island caring for approximately 40,000 patients — a strong target for FNP students. Care New England provides training opportunities across its network, including Butler Hospital (psychiatry) and Women & Infants Hospital. The Providence VA Medical Center is an active training site with a population that offers exposure to service-related conditions, chronic disease management, and mental health care.

Scope-of-practice considerations. As a full practice authority state, Rhode Island NPs practice without any collaborative physician requirement from day one of licensure. This shapes the clinical culture significantly — practicing NPs in Rhode Island are used to functioning with clinical autonomy. Students who rotate in Rhode Island benefit from watching autonomous advanced practice in action. Your preceptor's decision-making framework, clinical reasoning, and independent prescribing approach are all available to you as learning models in a way that is less visible in reduced-practice states.

Browse verified Rhode Island preceptors now →

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Use an NP Preceptor Finder for Rhode Island Matches

Vetted NP preceptor finder platforms serving Rhode Island. NPHub is the leading preceptor matching service operating in Rhode Island, with verified preceptors across the state including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Newport, and smaller communities. NPHub vets each preceptor for active licensure, board certification where applicable, relevant clinical experience, and absence of disciplinary history — delivering a school-ready credential packet alongside your match. The NP Alliance of Rhode Island (NPARI) also maintains a preceptor directory at npari.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-preceptors, which requires a Preceptor Access Pass to search — a useful supplementary tool for students conducting independent searches.

Filter by specialty and location. When using NPHub's search tools, filter first by specialty (FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, etc.) and then narrow by location using zip code or city. Rhode Island's compact geography means students in any part of the state can reasonably commute to Providence-area placements — but filtering by location still matters for scheduling, particularly for students balancing full-time RN work with coursework and rotations.

Verify preceptor credentials before outreach. Before committing any time to a preceptor relationship, verify their Rhode Island APRN license status through the Rhode Island Department of Health's online license lookup at health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=231. Confirm their license is active, unencumbered, and matches the specialty and population focus required by your program. A single verification step at this stage prevents school rejection later.

Save preferred preceptor profiles for follow-up. When using a matching platform, maintain a list of preceptors you've identified and the date of initial contact. If a preceptor doesn't respond to your first message, your saved list tells you who to follow up with in seven to ten days. This tracking discipline — which most students skip — dramatically increases the conversion rate of initial outreach into confirmed placements.

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NP Preceptor Matching Process

Student intake and rotation request. The matching process begins when you create a free account and submit a Placement Request through NPHub. Your request should include your specialty track, required hours, preferred rotation start and end dates, and location. Include any school-specific preceptor requirements — credential thresholds, population focus, required certifications — at the time of submission so the matching team can filter appropriately from the start.

Preceptor approval and university verification. Once a preceptor accepts your rotation request, NPHub prepares and routes all required documentation — affiliation agreements, preceptor credential packets, clinical site verification forms — for signatures. You then submit the completed package to your school's clinical coordinator for university verification. Your school confirms that the preceptor meets their credential requirements and that any existing or new affiliation agreement with the site is in place.

Common document requirements for matching. Most Rhode Island NP programs require the following before approving a placement: current preceptor CV and licensure verification, a signed preceptor agreement form, an executed or pending affiliation agreement between your school and the clinical site, your immunization records, and a current background check. Having all of these documents organized and ready before you begin outreach means you can move from a preceptor's "yes" to school submission in 24 hours rather than two weeks.

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Step-by-Step NP Preceptor Matching Workflow

Step 1 — Submit your Placement Request. Create your free NPHub account at nphub.com. Submit a Placement Request with your specialty, rotation dates, required hours, and location. Upload your clinical resume, school's preceptor qualification checklist, and any affiliation agreement templates your program provides. The NPHub team begins searching immediately.

Step 2 — Confirm preceptor availability. Once you receive a preceptor offer, review the preceptor's credentials, specialty, and clinical setting. Confirm that their schedule aligns with your rotation dates and your program's availability requirements. If the match fits, accept the offer through the platform within 48 hours. If it doesn't fit, communicate promptly so the search can continue.

Step 3 — Finalize paperwork and start date. After accepting an offer, NPHub routes all required school documentation to your preceptor for electronic signature. You receive completed documents and submit them to your clinical coordinator for school approval. Once approval is confirmed, contact your preceptor directly to schedule an orientation meeting, confirm your first-day logistics, and finalize your rotation schedule.

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Search Strategies: Local NP Preceptors and Registered Nurse Networks

Use your RN workplace contacts to request leads. Your current workplace is your first and most underutilized preceptor resource. If you work in a hospital, clinic, or practice in Rhode Island, you are already embedded in a professional network that includes NPs, physicians, and APPs who may precept — or who know someone who does. Ask your nurse manager, charge nurse, or a trusted attending NP directly: "I'm looking for a preceptor for my FNP rotation starting in [month]. Do you know anyone who might be open to it?" A warm introduction from a trusted colleague converts at a dramatically higher rate than any cold email.

Approach community primary care clinics for openings. Rhode Island's community health center network — including Thundermist Health Center, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, Providence Community Health Centers, and WellOne Primary & Dental Care — serves patients across the state and represents strong primary care rotation options. These mission-driven organizations often have a stronger institutional openness to student partnerships than large hospital-affiliated systems. Contact clinical directors or office managers directly, with a concise professional inquiry.

Identify nurse practitioners who precept in Rhode Island. The NPARI preceptor directory at npari.enpnetwork.com allows students to search NPs who have registered as available preceptors. Rhode Island Hospital's Brown Medicine primary care practices across the state also employ NPs who may be open to precepting. The Providence VA Medical Center actively trains future healthcare providers and is worth contacting through its academic affiliations office.

Target FNP-C providers in outpatient settings. Family Nurse Practitioners with active FNP-C certification practicing in outpatient primary care — independent practices, FQHCs, urgent care settings, or internal medicine offices — represent the most accessible preceptor pool for FNP students. Search LinkedIn for "FNP" or "APRN" filtered to Rhode Island, and review practice profiles on Brown Medicine's provider directory and Care New England's provider search to identify FNP-C practitioners.

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Cold Calling Technique for Finding a Preceptor

Cold calling is uncomfortable. It also works, when done correctly. Office managers field dozens of requests per semester and respond to the ones that are easy to say yes to.

Prepare your short cold calling script for office managers. Before you dial, know the following: your name, your program and school, your specialty, your rotation start date and duration, your required hours, and whether your program handles paperwork or if that falls to you. Have this information in front of you — not in your head. A confident, prepared call is a ten-minute investment that can unlock a placement months of email cannot.

Cold call opening script for office managers:

"Hi, my name is [Name], and I'm a nurse practitioner student in the [FNP/PMHNP] program at [School]. I'm looking for a clinical preceptor for a [X-hour] rotation starting in [month]. I was wondering if any of your NPs or physicians currently accept NP students for clinical rotations — or if there's someone specific I should speak with about this? I'm happy to send a brief email with my information if that's easier."

Cold call opening script for providers (if transferred directly):

"Thank you for taking my call. I'm an NP student in the [FNP] program at [School] and I'm looking for a preceptor for a [X-hour] rotation beginning in [month]. I've heard you work in [specialty], which aligns well with what I'm trying to learn. Would you be open to a quick conversation about what precepting would involve? I'm flexible with scheduling and I'd handle all the paperwork my program requires."

Plan a follow-up call schedule. After initial contact, follow up once by phone or email after seven days if you have not received a response. Note the date and outcome in your tracking spreadsheet. After two unanswered contacts, move on. Two follow-ups is professional persistence; three begins to feel like pressure.

Track call outcomes in a spreadsheet. Create a simple Google Sheet with columns for: practice name, contact name, phone number, date of first call, outcome (no answer / left voicemail / spoke with manager / spoke with provider), follow-up date, and final status (interested / not available / confirmed). This tracking system prevents double-calling, identifies which contacts are worth pursuing, and provides documentation your school may request.

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How to Secure Clinical Placement and Paperwork

Collect preceptor CV, licenses, and certifications early. As soon as a preceptor verbally agrees to work with you, ask them to share their current CV and a copy of their Rhode Island APRN license. Some preceptors may also need to provide national certification documentation. Collect these documents before you tell your clinical coordinator you have a confirmed preceptor — arriving with complete credentials signals organization and dramatically speeds up the school review process.

Submit university paperwork promptly for site approval. Most Rhode Island NP programs have a defined submission deadline for preceptor and site approval — sometimes four to six weeks before the rotation start date. Missing this deadline can push your placement to the following semester. Submit your complete packet — preceptor credentials, affiliation agreement, signed preceptor agreement form, and your immunization records — as a single complete submission, not in pieces over several days.

Complete background check and immunization requirements. Rhode Island clinical sites — particularly VA facilities and hospital-affiliated practices — require documentation of background check clearance and current immunization status before you can begin seeing patients. Required immunizations typically include hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, Tdap, annual influenza, and a current TB test or QuantiFERON. Have digital copies stored and accessible; preceptors and sites often request these on short notice.

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Evaluating the Perfect Preceptor

Criteria for an ideal preceptor relationship. The right preceptor is not simply the first available one — they are someone whose clinical setting, patient population, teaching style, and availability genuinely align with your learning goals. Before accepting any placement, confirm that the preceptor practices within your program's approved specialty and population focus, that their site can accommodate the number of hours your program requires, and that they have a track record of actively involving students in clinical decision-making rather than passive observation.

Check preceptor availability for required clinical hours. A preceptor who is theoretically available but clinically overbooked — high patient volumes, no protected teaching time, frequent cancellations — cannot provide the hours your program requires or the mentorship your development needs. Ask directly during your first conversation: "How many days per week would I be with you, and do your clinic days typically run as scheduled?" The answer reveals far more than credentials alone.

Assess mentorship style and feedback frequency. Ask any potential preceptor: "How do you typically involve students in patient encounters — do you like students to work up patients independently before presenting, or do you prefer they observe first?" Their answer tells you whether they are a hands-on teacher or a passive supervisor. Also ask how they prefer to give feedback — in real-time after encounters, at the end of each shift, or formally at rotation midpoint and end. Frequent, specific feedback is what accelerates clinical development; vague end-of-rotation summaries are not useful.

Confirm scope of practice matches your learning goals. An FNP student in a psychiatric inpatient unit technically fulfills hours but does not fulfill learning objectives. An AGPCNP student in a pediatric urgent care clinic is in a similar mismatch. Confirm that your preceptor's day-to-day practice includes the patient population, conditions, and clinical tasks your program's objectives require. A credential match is necessary but not sufficient — the clinical environment must also align.

Looking for preceptors in Providence?

• How To Find A Preceptor in Providence, Rhode Island: Practical Steps And Tools
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Pricing, NP Preceptor Matching Services, and Guarantees

Comparing fees across NP preceptor matching services. NPHub rotations start at $12.75 per clinical hour, with all-inclusive pricing that covers both the service fee and the preceptor honorarium — no separate invoice, no hidden charges. You do not pay anything until you have accepted a preceptor offer. Other services in the market vary: some charge a flat fee regardless of hours, some operate on a subscription model, and some invoice the preceptor honorarium separately after the service fee. Before paying for any service, confirm exactly what the fee covers.

Common payment plan options. NPHub offers payment plans spanning 2 to 24 months, with options to pay in full, in three stages, or spread across up to twelve months. Payment plan selection happens at the time of offer acceptance, before you commit to a rotation — so you can choose the structure that fits your financial situation before you are locked in. Review payment plan options →

Check refund and replacement guarantees. NPHub's guarantee covers three distinct scenarios: if we cannot find you a match, you pay nothing; if your school rejects the preceptor we matched you with, you receive a full refund; and if your preceptor cancels without cause after your rotation begins, we replace them. These terms are documented before you pay and apply without exception. When evaluating any placement service, ask for their refund and replacement policy in writing before committing any money.

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Rhode Island Contacts and Resources

Online Communities to Find Preceptors

Facebook Groups. The most active Facebook communities for NP student preceptor searches are "NP Students: Mentorship & Preceptorship" and "Nurse Practitioner Students." Post in these groups with your name, program, specialty, rotation dates, required hours, location (Rhode Island, Providence area, or specific city), and a brief statement of your RN background. Make your post specific and professional — generic requests get ignored; specific, personable ones get responses. Engage with the community before making your ask to increase visibility.

LinkedIn. Search for "FNP," "APRN," "nurse practitioner," or "NP" filtered to Rhode Island. The NPARI professional community on LinkedIn is accessible at linkedin.com/groups/13827497. When connecting with potential preceptors on LinkedIn, send a brief connection request message that names your program, specialty, and dates — not a generic "I'd like to add you to my network."

Local NP Associations and Clinic Directories

NP Alliance of Rhode Island (NPARI) Website: npari.enpnetwork.com Facebook: facebook.com/NPARIpage Preceptor directory (requires Preceptor Access Pass): npari.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-preceptors

Rhode Island Department of Health — Primary Care Training Sites Program Administers grant funding to community-based practices that train NP and PA students. Award recipients are listed on the RIDOH website and represent pre-vetted sites with infrastructure and compensation support for student training. Website: health.ri.gov/healthcare/primary-care-training-site-program

Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education — License Lookup Verify preceptor licensure status before outreach. Website: health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=231

University of Rhode Island College of Nursing 350 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903 | 401-874-9711 Graduate Nursing: gradnursing@etal.uri.edu Website: web.uri.edu/nursing

Brown University Health — Provider Network Major clinical sites: Rhode Island Hospital (593 Eddy St, Providence), The Miriam Hospital (164 Summit Ave, Providence), Brown Medicine primary care practices statewide. Website: brownhealth.org

Providence VA Medical Center 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908 Active training site for future healthcare providers. Website: va.gov/providence-ri-health-care

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Quick Templates: Cold Calling and Email Scripts

Cold Calling Script 1 — For Office Managers

"Hi, good [morning/afternoon]. My name is [Your Name] and I'm a nurse practitioner student at [School Name] in the [FNP/PMHNP/AGPCNP] program. I'm looking for a clinical preceptor for a [number]-hour rotation starting around [month/year]. I was hoping to find out if any of your providers currently accept NP students for preceptorships. Is that something your practice does, or is there someone I should speak with about it? I'm happy to send a brief email with my program's requirements if that would be helpful."

Cold Calling Script 2 — For Providers (If Connected Directly)

"Thank you so much for speaking with me. I'm an NP student at [School] in my [FNP] program and I'm looking for a preceptor for a [number]-hour rotation in [specialty] starting in [month]. I was hoping to ask whether you'd be open to having a student work alongside you — I handle my own paperwork and I'm used to working around a busy provider schedule. Would you have five minutes to talk about what that would look like for your practice?"

Email Template 1 — Initial Outreach to a Potential Preceptor

Subject line options:

• "FNP Student Seeking Clinical Preceptor — [Month] Rotation — Rhode Island"
• "NP Student Preceptor Request — [Specialty] — [School Name]"
• "Requesting Clinical Preceptor for [Month] Rotation — [Your Name]"

Email body:

Dear [Provider Name or "Hiring/Clinical Team"],

My name is [Your Name] and I am an NP student in the [FNP/PMHNP] program at [School Name]. I am writing to inquire about the possibility of completing a clinical preceptorship at your practice.

I am seeking a [X-hour] preceptorship in [specialty/population focus] beginning approximately [target month/year]. I hold [X years] of RN experience in [setting/specialty], and I am eager to work with a preceptor whose practice reflects the kind of patient care I am working toward.

I would be happy to provide my CV, my program's preceptor requirements, and any documentation your site needs. I will manage all paperwork on my end and will work around your schedule.

Would you be open to a brief conversation to discuss whether this might be a good fit? I can be reached at [phone] or [email].

Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.

[Your Name] [Program | School | RN License | Contact]

Email Template 2 — Follow-Up After No Response

Subject line: "Following Up — NP Preceptor Inquiry — [Your Name]"

Dear [Provider Name or "Hiring Team"],

I wanted to follow up on the email I sent on [date] regarding a clinical preceptorship for my [FNP/PMHNP] rotation. I understand your schedule is demanding and I genuinely appreciate any moment you can spare.

I am looking for a [X-hour] preceptorship beginning in [month/year] in [specialty/location]. If this is not a possibility at your practice, I would also gratefully welcome any referral to a colleague who may be open to it.

Thank you again for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

[Your Name] [Program | School | Contact]

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Next Steps and Checklist for NP Students in Rhode Island

Six or More Months Before Your Rotation

• Confirm your program's specific clinical hour requirements and preceptor credential criteria
• Check whether your school has existing affiliation agreements with Rhode Island clinical sites
• Contact your clinical coordinator and ask directly for any known preceptors or site recommendations
• Create your NPHub account and complete your student profile
• Join NPARI and relevant Facebook preceptor groups

Four to Five Months Out — Begin Active Outreach

• Submit your Placement Request through NPHub with specialty, dates, and location
• Begin direct outreach using warm network contacts at your current workplace
• Begin cold outreach to primary care practices, FQHCs, and community health centers in Rhode Island
• Use LinkedIn to identify FNP-C and APRN providers in your target area

Two to Three Months Out — Engage Matching Service Urgently

• If outreach has not produced a confirmed placement, escalate your NPHub request and contact a matching specialist directly
• Follow up once with all unanswered outreach contacts and move on after two unanswered attempts
• Begin gathering immunization records, background check documentation, and your preceptor credential checklist

One Month Out — Finalize Everything

• Confirmed preceptor in place, credentials verified against your school's requirements
• Complete school paperwork submitted to clinical coordinator
• School approval confirmed in writing
• Site orientation scheduled, first-day logistics confirmed with preceptor
• Malpractice coverage verified, site-specific onboarding complete

During Outreach — Track All Attempts

Keep a Google Sheet with: practice name, contact name, contact method, date of first outreach, response received, follow-up date, and final status. This documentation protects you if there is any question about your search effort, and it makes the handoff to a matching service faster if you reach that point.

Create your free NPHub account — no credit card required →

Browse verified preceptors in Rhode Island now →

Review pricing and payment plans →

Read reviews from NP students who graduated on time →

Schedule a free call with a matching specialist →

FAQs

Does Rhode Island require physician supervision for NPs?

No. Rhode Island is a full practice authority state. Licensed NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including Schedule II–V controlled substances — independently, without physician collaboration or supervision. This authority applies from the first day of APRN licensure. There is no supervised transition period or required collaborative agreement required at any point.

How many clinical hours are required for NP programs in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island adheres to national accreditation standards requiring a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours for NP programs. However, most programs in the state — particularly DNP tracks at URI — require more than this minimum. Confirm your specific program's requirements with your clinical coordinator before beginning your search; your school's requirements govern your graduation, not the state minimum.

How long does it take to find an NP preceptor in Rhode Island?

Students who begin their search six months in advance and use a combination of warm-network outreach and a matching service typically secure a placement within four to eight weeks of active effort. Rhode Island's small size and concentrated healthcare market can work in your favor — or against you — depending on timing. PMHNP and specialty rotations take longer than family practice. Students working with NPHub are typically matched within two to three weeks.

Can I do my rotation in Rhode Island if my NP program is based in another state?

In most cases, yes. Rhode Island is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means RNs with compact licenses from other member states can practice in Rhode Island without obtaining a separate Rhode Island RN license. However, the rules governing out-of-state NP programs placing students in Rhode Island vary by program — confirm eligibility with your clinical coordinator and check with the Rhode Island Board of Nursing before assuming this is possible.

What if my school rejects the preceptor I found?

The most common reasons for school rejection are credential mismatches (preceptor doesn't meet the program's years-of-experience or certification requirements), missing or expired affiliation agreements, or incomplete documentation. To minimize this risk: request your school's preceptor qualification checklist before outreach, confirm whether your school has an existing affiliation agreement with the site, and ask your clinical coordinator for a preliminary credential review before finalizing any relationship. If you used NPHub and the preceptor is rejected, we find you a replacement or issue a full refund.

Are preceptors in Rhode Island compensated?

Rhode Island's Department of Health Primary Care Training Sites Program actively provides grant funding to community-based practices to compensate preceptors who train NP and PA students. Not all preceptors receive this funding — it depends on whether their practice has applied for and received a PCTSP award. Through NPHub, preceptors receive a honorarium built into the placement pricing; students do not arrange payment directly with their preceptor.

What is the NPARI preceptor directory and how do I access it?

The NP Alliance of Rhode Island (NPARI) maintains a searchable directory of NPs in Rhode Island who have registered their willingness to precept students. The directory is available at npari.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-preceptors and requires purchase of a Preceptor Access Pass to search. This is a supplementary tool best used alongside a matching service like NPHub — not as a sole strategy.

What documents do I need to submit for school approval of my preceptor?

Most Rhode Island NP programs require: the preceptor's current CV, their Rhode Island APRN license verification, national board certification documentation (if required by your program), a completed and signed preceptor agreement form, an executed or pending affiliation agreement between your school and the clinical site, your current immunization records, and background check documentation. Submitting a complete packet — rather than documents in pieces — is the single most effective way to accelerate your school's approval timeline.

Key Definitions

NP Preceptor: A licensed healthcare provider — most commonly a nurse practitioner, physician, or physician assistant — who supervises an NP student's hands-on clinical training during required rotations. In Rhode Island, preceptors must hold an active, unencumbered license in the state and have clinical experience relevant to the student's population focus and specialty.

APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse): The legal classification for licensed NPs in Rhode Island, regulated by the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education. Rhode Island recognizes three APRN categories: Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

Full Practice Authority: Rhode Island grants NPs full practice authority, meaning licensed NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including Schedule II–V controlled substances — without physician collaboration or supervision. This applies from the first day of APRN licensure.

Clinical Placement / Clinical Rotation: The required period of direct, supervised patient care that NP students must complete as part of their graduate program. Rhode Island programs require a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours, though most programs — particularly DNP tracks — require significantly more.

FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner – Certified): A certified Family Nurse Practitioner who has passed a national certification examination through ANCC or AANPCB. FNP-C providers practicing in outpatient primary care settings represent a primary target pool for NP students seeking family practice preceptors in Rhode Island.

Affiliation Agreement: A formal contract between your NP program and the clinical site that must be executed before your rotation can be approved by your school. Sites with existing affiliation agreements move through the approval process significantly faster than new sites.

Preceptor Honorarium: A payment made to a preceptor for their time supervising NP students. Rhode Island's Primary Care Training Sites Program provides grant funding to help community-based practices compensate preceptors — a distinction from states where precepting is entirely voluntary and uncompensated.

Clinical Match: The formal confirmation of a placement when a qualified preceptor who meets your school's credential requirements has agreed to supervise your rotation for a defined specialty, number of hours, and time period. An expression of interest does not constitute a match — you need a documented commitment before beginning paperwork.

Article details

• Last updated
  September 6, 2026
• Fact-checked by
  NPHub Clinical Placement Experts & Student Support Team
• Sources and references

Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education — APRN Licensing health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=231

Rhode Island Department of Health — Primary Care Training Sites Program health.ri.gov/healthcare/primary-care-training-site-program

NP Alliance of Rhode Island (NPARI) — Preceptor Directory npari.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-preceptors

NPARI on LinkedIn linkedin.com/groups/13827497

NPARI on Facebook facebook.com/NPARIpage

University of Rhode Island College of Nursing — Graduate Programs 350 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903 | 401-874-9711 web.uri.edu/nursing/academics

Brown University Health — Clinical Sites Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Brown Medicine (primary care statewide) brownhealth.org

Providence VA Medical Center 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908 va.gov/providence-ri-health-care

AANP — Rhode Island State Page aanp.org/advocacy/rhode-island

NPHub — Find Your Rhode Island Preceptor nphub.com | student.nphub.com/search Phone: 678-329-9029 | Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm EST

NPHub Blog — How to Find Preceptors Using Facebook nphub.com/blog/how-to-find-preceptors-using-facebook-2019-edition

NPHub Blog — How to Find a Preceptor Using LinkedIn nphub.com/blog/find-preceptors-linkedin

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