My first week as an NP

Bumex, DNP, NP · Mar 14, 2017

I definitely feel like this will take time for sure. I kind of felt the same way when I first started as a RN. My collaborating physician has told me time and time again (we worked together before she hired me) that it will take time and a lot of patience, but we will beat the steep learning curve.

I'm about ready to start in a private medical practice as well- in a new specialty that I have never worked in.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 14, 2017

Hang in there! I am not quite a year out,..I honestly think that the hardest part of this transition was learning that I am now the decision maker! I worked as an RN for 17 years,..following orders, making sure I understood the orders, clarifying with the providers. Now I am the provider and I am clarifying the orders. It takes time to switch your mindset. Hang in there and keep learning, you will get this!!

Trauma Columnist · Mar 15, 2017

Hang in there - I went into a specialty practice where I had no experience - yikes!

It took me a year or so before I felt comfortable. Now with 11 years down, I've got it made!

Some hints I found useful:

1. Ask your doc for some recommendations for reference books

2. Join your states APRN organization for networking opportunities

3. Scout out resources from other APRNs in your area - use your college's alumni organization for this.

4. If there are other APRNs in the practice - take them to lunch and get advice.

5. Ask your doc specific questions, about the why of what they are doing, be specific though.

It DOES get easier!

CoolLikeThat · Mar 16, 2017

The first year can be tough. You graduate and feel you know stuff then go to work for/with providers who know way more and have so much more experience on top of that. It is intimidating and frustrating. There can be a huge learning curve and it takes time and hard work to get better.

I was so insecure and self-doubting for the first year. i often felt like a total idiot. I sometimes would talk to a patient and feel bad that i could not answer their questions as clearly or with as much confidence as my docs. I also faced the suspicious angry patient who would look at my badge and look back at me and because I was not the MD they would dispel everything I would say.

It takes time and hard work. It will get better as long as you listen, learn and work at your practice. I still have days where I feel dumb or ill prepared but those days are fewer than they were a few years ago.

Hang in there and good luck!

matthewandrew, NP · Mar 16, 2017

Thank you for sharing. I'm waiting to start my first NP position and reading these eases the anxiety. Thank you!

Nimrodel, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2017

You should talk to him about calling you Dr. I could see that getting you into messy legal trouble if the wrong things happened to go perfectly wrong.

2bNotAnotherMaleNurse7 · Mar 18, 2017

I did. He said don't worry about it. His words were "If podiatrists can call themselves doctors, why can't you call yourself doctor" I still introduce myself as my first name, then the NP for him. I still don't know what I"m doing in the office, I feel way more comfortable at the hospital. I wish I could just do hospital but need to do office for him too.

Nimrodel, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2017

I did. He said don't worry about it. His words were "If podiatrists can call themselves doctors, why can't you call yourself doctor" I still introduce myself as my first name, then the NP for him. I still don't know what I"m doing in the office, I feel way more comfortable at the hospital. I wish I could just do hospital but need to do office for him too.

That...makes no sense. Podiatrists have a doctoral degree (doctor . Unless you have a DNP, you do not. I know in some states its illegal for NPs, even those with a doctoral degree, to call themselves Dr - which you're not doing, but it could definitely be construed that way.

2bNotAnotherMaleNurse7 · Apr 1, 2017

Update: I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing. It's been 4 weeks. But I do think I'm better than my first week, I hope. I want to like this job, but the hours are long, and my doctor's charting I feel is way too detailed compared to other doctors. And his patients have alot going on with them, and they've known my doc for years. When I come in the room, they all are like "who are you" and "when am i going toto see the doctor". I kind of wish I worked for a bigger company/group instead of a private practice doctor, but it has only been a month. =/

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · Apr 4, 2017

Today was my first day and I am over the moon! The routines and procedural things are going to take time to get down, but I am really excited to do what I will be doing. I have my pocket resources and an apparently supportive team. Many I've met today encouraged me to ask questions. (And I know enough to know to at least try to find on my own first, then ask.)

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · May 2, 2017

OP, how's it going for you?

I am still thrilled. Had a few hiccups with processes as far as who to call when. That's all related to which doctor gets the pt. I admit. But still the docs are stimulating my learning and seem to be satisfied with my decision making.

I did have a few more complicated admissions that made it challenging to hone in on some things, but I liked picking it apart and putting the puzzle pieces together.

It is quite satisfying and I'll say again, hospital medicine is the best job I didn't know I wanted.