Primary Care Track clinicals with Emergency doc?

Bidwillty · Apr 27, 2010

I am completing my FNP degree, and I have done clinicals in our local Level 1 trauma center ED, with the Docs and midlevels, you see a lot of primary care in the ED's, becasue people have no other options, my course director was fine with me doing clinical hours here and as an added bonus, I got a whole lot of practice with all my skills.ie suturing, I&D, xrays, splinting etc

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Apr 27, 2010

I would say for one rotation it would be ok - but as far as far as becoming a primary care NP, you really need to do most of your clinicals in a primary care area (internal med or family practice office, for example) so that you have the opportunity to do follow-up on the patients you see in the office. Also, treatment plans vary greatly from the ED setting to the primary care setting, since the ED docs usually refer patient back to their PCPs if it is not an acute problem.

charlottegirl · Jul 17, 2011

danceswithsnakes.....how is the program going for you? i am considering that program myself and have seen little posted on allnurses about the primary care (lots about acute care) adult/gero np track. would love to hear about your thougts on the program.

thanks.

DAP AGPC-NP-C · Jul 18, 2011

I'd also love to hear about your experience with USA's ANP/GNP primary care program. I am starting this program in August for a post-masters.

amberfnp · Jul 21, 2011

I cannot speak for the adult/gero primary care but I did graduate from the USA FNP program in Dec 2010. We were only allowed to do ED as an elective area during our last semester. This was limited to a certain # of hours, but you could do extra hours if you wanted once the minimum requirements of the family courses were met.

From talk among students, it is my understanding that each program seems to be run a little differently, so who knows what adult/gero might do!

CRF250Xpert · Jul 21, 2011

...you really need to do most of your clinicals in a primary care area (internal med or family practice office, for example) so that you have the opportunity to do follow-up on the patients you see in the office. also, treatment plans vary greatly from the ed setting to the primary care setting, since the ed docs usually refer patient back to their pcps if it is not an acute problem.

100% agree. if i ever decide to teach fnp school, i'll severely limit the er time folk's request (or try and get them interested in a more suitable alternative). i worked er for years, and we always said "follow up with your pcm". now if that your treatment plan all day for every patient as a student, how on earth are you going to know what to do in the clinic as that pts pcm when he does follow-up?

ShugRN2010 · Oct 6, 2011

I would love to get more information, advice, and anyone personal opinion on the Adult/Gero Primary Care NP program at USA. I never see any posts about the primary care progam!

Thanks,

Shugrn2010

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Oct 6, 2011

It varies by school. We were allowed to do 100 of our 800 required hours in any area. The remaining 700 had to be in primary care (400 in primary care adult medicine, 200 in peds, 100 in women's health specifically). I did mine on a medical mission to Tanzania.

DAP AGPC-NP-C · Oct 6, 2011

Shrugrn2010

I'm in the adult/gero program- primary care at USA, but don't start clinical until fall 2012. Right now I am taking path. It's a lot of info to digest, but so far the professor teaching the class is very responsive and understanding. I'll keep you posted as I progress.

ShugRN2010 · Oct 8, 2011

@danapjmsn: i'm taking patho in the spring and i will be starting the clinical courses in fall 2012 too (i'm nervous and please stay in touch). we will meet in the fall for the 3 day orientation.

DAP AGPC-NP-C · Oct 8, 2011

My email is [email protected]. Email me and I'll give you my phone #. patho so far has been quit time consuming and we are only on test 3 out of 7. We should definitely keep in touch!

Dana