Overwhelmed by the role of FNP

[Black Coffee, RN]

Hello everyone,

I am an RN who have two years of experience working in an ICU floor. I am currently working full-time while attending part-time in a MSN-FNP program online. I am in my first semester with advance pharmacology and EBP classes.

While the work is still doable, I have been having anxiety and worrisome about the new role of FNP. I am feeling like a new grad RN all over again, but this time the anxiety is greater since the NP role has more responsibility.

My anxiety comes from the doubt and disbelief that can I be a good NP? As we know, NPs are responsible for diagnosing, assessing, interpreting tests, and prescribing meds. These are great responsibilities and requires great knowledge. For example, you need to know which certain drugs can not be prescribed concurrently, or you need to diagnose and come up with a diagnosis for certain chief complaints. Will I be able to successfully diagnose and prescribe?

I first got accepted to Walden University and thought that I would have gone there. However, I applied to George Washington University and got accepted with a decent scholarship. At a result, I switched to GWU because it has better reputation and offers me a scholarship.

I hope the program at GWU will prepare me well for the new role of NPs. Can experienced NPs share their thoughts and journey during the first year of practicing as NPs? Any tips you guys can give me? I really need and appreciate encouragements from every one.

Thank you very much.

Youngman RN

[BostonFNP, APRN]

While the work is still doable, I have been having anxiety and worrisome about the new role of FNP. I am feeling like a new grad RN all over again, but this time the anxiety is greater since the NP role has more responsibility.

This is normal and expected, and to some degree, never goes away (nor should it). There is tremendous amounts of responsibility that goes with the role and the socialization to the new role is the same difficult transition it is from student RN to practicing RN.

My anxiety comes from the doubt and disbelief that can I be a good NP? As we know, NPs are responsible for diagnosing, assessing, interpreting tests, and prescribing meds. These are great responsibilities and requires great knowledge. For example, you need to know which certain drugs can not be prescribed concurrently, or you need to diagnose and come up with a diagnosis for certain chief complaints. Will I be able to successfully diagnose and prescribe?

Yes you should be, if you pass the minimum competency boards the hope is that you are safe to enter practice (hopefully with a tremendous amount of support). Your first day as an NP in practice is the same as a first day medical intern (and having that kinda of support around you is important).

I hope the program at GWU will prepare me well for the new role of NPs. Can experienced NPs share their thoughts and journey during the first year of practicing as NPs? Any tips you guys can give me?

Attending a quality program is the first step to a solid foundation, and your changes of being prepared for practice are greater at GWU than they would have been at Walden. You are making a big investment in your future and the next few years will form the foundation of your practice. Make good use of that investment: read, study, and make every clinical experience you have a meaningful one (and that includes while you are at work as and RN where you can see pathology, evaluate meds, work through differentials, etc). Never be afraid to ask questions and avoid the "fake it till you make it" mantra. The first goal should be to effectively differentiate normal from abnormal (as a provider that can do this can safely enter practice).

Good luck.