How do you feel?

[mrcleanscrubs]

Dear Fellow Healthcare Professionals,

It brings me great joy to finally be pursuing an educational path and career as an Advanced Practice Provider.

I have my Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing, and I am open to either Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant Studies.

The two professions seem to function as coequals, however differ in philosophy and educational delivery.

Unfortunately, I hear that many Nurses who pursue Nurse Practitioner studies finish their programs feeling unchallenged and quite frankly, cheated of their pursuit to a proper education.

My questions for everyone:

1. Do you feel as though your NP Program properly prepared you to safely and competently care for patients?

2. Do you feel that you truly have an in depth understanding of Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pathology?

3. Do you feel as if your medical questions in lecture were answered to an extent that clearly illustrated that your professors were truly knowledgeable in advanced practice/medicine?; In that, they actually answered your question and not just answering stating, "That is something you will learn, 'on the job.'"

4. Do you feel that your thirst for medical knowledge was satisfied?

5. Do you feel satisfied in your role as a Nurse Practitioner?

Thank You,

MrCleanScrubs

[Ohm108, MSN, NP, CNM]

I personally made sure to only apply to programs that provided preceptors and I made sure during the interview process to ask how their preceptors are sourced. Most well regarded schools already have these relationships in place. They have had really long relationships with their preceptors as well as their clinical sites. In many cases, the professors that teach at the university also practice at the clinical site where the student is assigned. As a student who is about to embark on his nursing program, I echo what my more experienced future colleagues have said and make sure you find a program that provides preceptors for you and that they are all vetted properly. These are the people who will be the frontline trainers for your education. These are the people who you will learn from and will set the example for you to follow as you progress in your studies and ultimately when you go and practice on your own. If you are going to put $$ down on a program; make sure it is a good program with good preceptors and resources. I am not saying it has to be an Ivy or Top 10 in the World News Report. I have plenty of friends that are great nurses that graduated from community college who then bridged to advanced practice. We each follow the path that works for us but make sure that path gives you the experiences you need to be strong NP or PA and a good representative and credit to our future profession no matter which path you choose.

[mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN]

Hi umbdude, BSN, RN Pro ,

I completely agree with you - I guess to some extent, no matter how prepared a healthcare provider may think they are, there is still a lot of uncertainty.

I also think you hit the nail on the standards of our programs; what exactly is the standard? (rhetorical question) There really are no standards, according to my research. I have interviewed two NP programs so far, and BOTH have no proctored exams; I was completely shocked. I cannot understand how we are to evaluate who knows the material versus those who may not understand the material. I really wish there was a way Nursing programs in this nation would set a standard that is agreed upon. I am kind of sad because I want a rigorous program that tests me, and pushes me to my limits; I want to be a great Advanced Practice Provider. I really would love to stick with nursing, I am so proud of my career choice - and I think more people who are invested in nursing and healthcare and truly want to learn more about treating people, should become nurse practitioners and change the image portrayed to society. I had girls in my class who just wanted to be nurse practitioner because they said it was easy, and that "anybody could do it." This is what they disseminate throughout their friends and family members, that nursing is easy and anybody could do it.

I loved this "At the end of the day, there are many outstanding NPs (just look at some on this forum). They all went through NP programs and learn on their own with help and experience. If they could do it, why can't you? Regardless, look for an NP program that provides preceptors. These programs generally ensure that the preceptors are actually doing their job of teaching the important materials."

You are 100% right! You all inspire me. And you have a good point, I really want preceptors assigned through the program. Thank you for your in depth response!

[mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN]

Good luck finding a program that provides preceptors. My experience and from what I read.

Yeah, that unfortunately is a sad truth many NP students face. I think it is ridiculous that we need to find preceptors on our own.

[mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN]

Hi TangoDeux ,

Wow, awesome post; thank you for your extensive reply. I definitely will take your advice and make sure the programs I apply to have a preceptor agreement established for students. You are absolutely right, and being the hands on learner I am, I would hope that any clinical rotation I have is one that is staffed by professors/preceptors who are vetted properly; as you stated. Thank you!

[Oldmahubbard]

I did my NP program some 15 to 20 years ago at a well regarded campus school. We had some exams, which were definitely proctored, but many of the courses were graded by a paper, or a class presentation. I definitely remember exams in pharmacology and physiology, and maybe another course or two.

There was a practicum exam in health assessment with a partner. It wasn't really that difficult, just a long routine to memorize.

There were some local clinical placements, but since I lived 100 miles away (yes we used to drive 2 hours to attend classes), I had to find my own.

I almost consider that part of my education, because as an NP, you have to have some balls, for lack of a better word. Asking strangers you don't know to precept you takes some balls!

In working with a non-vetted preceptor who turned out to be crazy, if you will pardon the language, I lost an entire year. Yep, the nightmare you may have heard about.

I consider that experience absolutely essential to my education.

Just a few thoughts!

[Jules A, MSN]

Our main professor had no prescribing experience, if you can believe it.

.

I can believe it and thought we must have gone to the same university but the dates don't line up! I was appalled to learn this and even more appalled when this person went on to get another position at an even more prestigious university as the department chair.

I recommend investigating the experience of the faculty because many have minimal if any NP experience. It can be a plus to secure your own preceptors based on providers you know from your nursing experience to be competent. Your end product will mimic your mentors so pick carefully.

[Oldmahubbard]

This same professor asked me to give a talk to the undergraduate RN students on the last day of their Psych class. I came in and told of my experience working in forensics with very mentally ill men, and going to court as an expert witness for the state. In our state, a court order is required to treat mentally ill inmates over their objection. This was one of the best parts of the job, and I saw a number of dramatic recoveries.

The professor and the students couldn't believe I was doing all this independently. Apparently there is a notion out there that Psych NPs only refill scripts for folks who have already been diagnosed by physicians.

Not so.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

I have interviewed two NP programs so far, and BOTH have no proctored exams; I was completely shocked.

Absolutely awful. Embarrassing.

[mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN]

@ Oldmahubbard

Your scenario sounds like quite the roller coaster! Your dedication and perseverance brought you to where you are today; your experiences have made you wise and knowledgeable.

Thank you for sharing!

[mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN]

@ Jules A ,

Hello,

Thank you for your response. I definitely agree with you - I will be looking investigating the experience of the faculty wherever I apply. I also agree with what you mentioned about picking mentors carefully, we absolutely mirror who guide us. Thank you!

[mrcleanscrubs, BSN, RN]

@Dodongo ,

Quite frankly, I do not even know how this is legal! lol. Very embarrassing; something must be done to change and standardize NP programs nationally.

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

@ mrcleanscrubs:

Recommend reaching out to the program directors for an informational interview, and ask them what they (and the specialty faculties) are working on and what experiences they have. I did that for all 3 programs I applied to and it made a significant difference when I had to choose which one to attend. I got a much better sense of quality of the program after doing that.