Excited & Nervous NP student

Nursing Students NP Students

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Happy summer everyone!

I start Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP program in August -YAYE!!! Ive been so excited, and continue to be, to start school. But, I know here comes the but lol, every now and then I would get so nervous.

Made it through BSN program just fine, don't get me wrong it was tough!

I find myself less excited and more nervous as the day of first class gets near.

Anyone feeling the same????

Anyone starting school soon???

Anyone have tips for new NP students?

Cheers to a great summer everyone! 🤗😎

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

I'm more excited than nervous! I start in the fall too, the end of August. I'm doing a FNP program though.

Are you doing full time or part time and how is your work schedule going to be?

Congrats and Good Luck!

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Hi, i start in the fall and I'm also nervous. I am currently enrolled full time but I might switch to part-time. I have a new baby and will be working two days a week. I have heard the program is tough. I've also been talking to other NPs to see if it's all worth it. I've decided to take out student loans to finance the education. Full vs part time is only 2 semester differences so instead of graduating in May, I'll be graduating in December. I'm mostly nervous about my finances and hopefully I can find study time. I work 24 hours a week and need to keep my benefits for my family so I can't do any less than this. I hope it'll all be worth it :)

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My school program is odd, some terms are part time and others full time- speaking of credits per term.

I'll be working full time for the 1st year and will reevaluate how it worked out for me the 1st year and put into consideration what second year will be like, ex clinical hours and decide then whether or not I'll remain in my full time position for work.

I've been looking up tips of NP survival 🤔😅

I'm just ready to kick start the term. I've taken 2 years off from school, so I'm ready to get back into it!

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I'm starting a FNP program in a few weeks! I definitely understand the nervous/excited pendulum. I also have been looking up tips for getting through NP school. The best one so far in my opinion was stay organized, which I sometimes have a problem with :/

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I'm going into my final year in an acute program and I'll tell you, it seems like yesterday since I was where you are. It goes by so quick! I am still working full time and doing two 3-credit classes a semester. It's been a long tough road, most definitely, but it will pass. All I can recommend is to be organized. Find a place in your house that is dedicated to studying. Make sure you have a good, fast computer. Research and buy or rent your books early so you don't end up in last minute panic when it doesn't arrive in time. Use bookrenter.com and save a bunch of money on new books. Sit down and really look through your syllabus for each class very carefully and make yourself a calendar and mark when all your papers and exams are coming up. The visual helped me plan really well. Remember, each semester is only a few months long, and then you get a break! I'm currently enjoying my summer vacation and go back in September so I am consciously enjoying getting up late on weekends and having no homework. Good luck!

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Specializes in NP, ICU, ED, Pre-op.

My best advice is if you have to find your own preceptors....DO IT NOW!!!!! This is especially true if you need PEDS or OB/Women's Health. I will graduate in May from my program and I am so glad I had my preceptors lined up early!!. I also agree with the above poster read EVERY word or the syllabus and follow it. Graduate school seems to be about the silly details that really don't seem to mean a lot, however, they do apply to clinical which can be very detail oriented. I also am a big fan of renting books from amazon or bookrenter. Many of the books I got were brand new with the key code unused. I saved a ton of money and I was able to download an electronic copy to keep.....

Good luck

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I'm starting a FNP program in a few weeks! I definitely understand the nervous/excited pendulum. I also have been looking up tips for getting through NP school. The best one so far in my opinion was stay organized, which I sometimes have a problem with :/

That is definitely a must!

What helps me stay organized is buying those big table calendars and filling them in for the entire term with important dates once I get my syllabus and update as I go along. Hope that helps :)

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I'm going into my final year in an acute program and I'll tell you, it seems like yesterday since I was where you are. It goes by so quick! I am still working full time and doing two 3-credit classes a semester. It's been a long tough road, most definitely, but it will pass. All I can recommend is to be organized. Find a place in your house that is dedicated to studying. Make sure you have a good, fast computer. Research and buy or rent your books early so you don't end up in last minute panic when it doesn't arrive in time. Use bookrenter.com and save a bunch of money on new books. Sit down and really look through your syllabus for each class very carefully and make yourself a calendar and mark when all your papers and exams are coming up. The visual helped me plan really well. Remember, each semester is only a few months long, and then you get a break! I'm currently enjoying my summer vacation and go back in September so I am consciously enjoying getting up late on weekends and having no homework. Good luck!

Continue to enjoy your summer break! How exciting being almost done!

Thanks for the site on where to get books, I'll look into it.

I'm currently looking into buying a tablet vs a laptop- any recommendations?

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My best advice is if you have to find your own preceptors....DO IT NOW!!!!! This is especially true if you need PEDS or OB/Women's Health. I will graduate in May from my program and I am so glad I had my preceptors lined up early!!. I also agree with the above poster read EVERY word or the syllabus and follow it. Graduate school seems to be about the silly details that really don't seem to mean a lot, however, they do apply to clinical which can be very detail oriented. I also am a big fan of renting books from amazon or bookrenter. Many of the books I got were brand new with the key code unused. I saved a ton of money and I was able to download an electronic copy to keep.....

Good luck

Thanks!! Those are grear tips.

I was thinking about holding off till end of first semester to find a preceptor. We start clinical in 2nd year- didn't think finding a preceptor a year in advance was necessary or am I wrong?? :/

I was thinking of lining up preceptors in January or during winterm break.

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Specializes in NP, ICU, ED, Pre-op.

It is very area dependent when finding preceptors, however having a verbal commitment as early as possible is important. I know in my location, several offices have contracts with specific schools and won't entertain anyone else (meaning other schools). Your school should be able to provide you with specifics on which semesters need how many clinical hours and what the focus is (family, adult, peds, gero, women's health). Many good places book out at least a year..... But again this is area specific. Having personal contacts helps a lot... It can be a very frustrating/humbling process with many "no's". Have your resume ready to pass out to potential offices and you must have thick skin.....

Good luck!

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