Accepted to FNP program. What are must haves to survive FNP program!!

Thanks, feedback extremely helpful to hear how your juggling everything. If you can do with a baby and working! Gives me some hope. The program sounds so demanding!

Thanks for the advice! I have applied to USA to start in Summer 2010. My husband and I were having a discussion tonight. He is very supportive of me going back to school, and through this program because we know it is great. But he was expressing his opinion that you don't get the same kind of teaching through an online program as you do when you attend class. I finished my BSN through JU online so I'm familiar with how it works. Basically we're teaching ourselves from the textbooks and being tested online, as well as writing papers. What is your opinion of this? Do you feel that you're learning this well and will be a well-prepared ARNP? I also told him we'll have lots of clinical time with NP's and have an abundance of hands on training. It's not like they're going to send us out there unprepared!

Thanks.

Well, that is a touchy subject right now among classmates. Many of us do feel like we are in fact teaching ourselves. To a certain degree, I expect this of an online program, or rather that you must be disciplined and good at reading comprehension. However, in my previous semesters, there seemed to be more video lectures and more timely interaction with the instructors. Not so much this semester, which in my opinion, is when we really need it. Many of us plan to voice our opinion on this matter. I have my first hands on clinical on Friday and I anticipate that this is where the real learning will be. So the key is finding good preceptors! It is really hard to relate to all this reading when you aren't seeing it in practice, so I'm hoping using what I'm reading about will make this all click.

They have repeatedly told us they have 100% pass rates on their boards so they must be doing something right, it just doesn't feel like it right now.

Peaceful, I just found out I've been accepted. I'm not sure what to think or do, because all I keep seeing about adult NPs is total doom and gloom. Why go through all that and then end up having to go through again to get a FNP?

I'm so frustrated.

Congrats, congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you get a letter or package in the mail? How did u find out??!!
Don't be frustrated. Just keep getting the facts and step by step figure out what you want to do. Any of the programs are going to be hard so make sure you love which ever way you go.

I am preparing to graduate from USA this semester.

I can tell you that the program is changing due to the expectation of implementation of the DNP, which is why the clinical hours where reduced for upcoming students.

I would state to your questions and concerns, that this is a program that is very linear and self directing. There is no real hand holding here and one must really have their ducks in a row and be organized to be successful. The instructors are nice enough, this is not a bashing, but you will not get massive amounts of help as far study guides or hints for the tests. There are many books and the information between those and the assigned articles are very broad.

There are some who worked all the way through and there are some who failed because they should not have worked at all. This is an individual question and leaves much on the bearer. Some people do well on their own and are very meticulous in their study habits, others need stimulation. I do not know what your habits or inclinations are, but they will affect your outcomes. I am a straight A student normally and I am graduating with an A/B average and feeling blessed to do so. I did work all the way through, but I know some very bright, exceptional people who "C'd" out by doing the same thing.

You have to be prepared to not work if the issue becomes apparent that you cannot keep up with the reading. There are no quick fixes...

Clinical preceptors are found by you, and you have to make sure well in advance for each specialty that you have someone who will be approved if they are not already on their list. This wasn't too hard for me, because I had lots of contacts. If it is the FNP program you are going into, you will need an OB, an Internal Medicine Doctor, a Pediatrician, and a Family Practice doctor ahead of time. And one of the certifying bodies wants you to precept at least some of your time with an ARNP, so if you can find someone in advance that meets the bill, then do so....It is much better to ask in advance as there are limited spaces available for the few who offer spaces. I recommend booking them six months in advance. You are not allowed to do clinicals for a doctor you work for except in special circumstances (ie. military overseas with more than one medical facility that you do not work for...but are affiliated with)

good luck

Jalexshoe, In the previous post it states you can't have a preceptor with someone you work for. I work with doctors at my hosptial, but not for them (like I'm exployed by the hosptial, not the dr). Can you use those drs as preceptors?
Thanks,
Nikki

My understanding of the rules as they apply and with the information you have given me, is probably no.

You would have to write your advisors and ask. The only time you can use a preceptor associated with your job is if it something like you are in Iraq and there are no other base hospitals and then there are rules that apply to even this, or perhaps the company you work for has several locations in different cities, and you go to use one of those, in a city, you do not live in or work in.

You cannot use the doctors you work with, whether they are employed by your employer or not, because they work at the place you do. Perhaps, if they had an outside office, you might be able to go there... Unfortunately, you will have to locate preceptors outside your comfort zone, and use contacts to obtain those early.

The school will not consider a preceptor within your current work environment. It is not allowed, they say it puts you in situation of role confusion. You need to evolve as a NP and it is too easy to be pulled into your RN role, if you try to train in that environment. This is the way it was related to us.

You will have to have different preceptors also, depending on your track. If it is FNP, you will need a pediatrician, ob/gyn, internal medicine, and family practice physician. You will also need to contract with a dermatologist, orthopedist, radiologist, opthamologist, etc for your observations.

Again, to confirm, contact the administration of your school. Also be aware there is a mandatory component being requested by the certifying bodies that a dominant portion of your education in clinicals be provided by an ARNP.

Make sure you obtain your clinical contracts early. Try at least 6 months in advance and get them locked in. You will need a CV, a signed contract, and proof of liability insurance for the primary specialities. You will not need them for the observations, unless this has changed.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info!