What skill level should a new grad be at?

Nursing Students NP Students

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I am entering my final semester of my peds acute care NP program. This semester, we complete our final 350 hours of clinical, and I am currently trying to write out some clinical objectives for what I hope to accomplish by the end of the semester (tasks, knowledge, ability, anything). I am struggling just a little bit to know where I should be aiming - I don't want to aim too low, but I also don't want my goals to be completely unrealistic. This IS for an assignment, but I also recognize it as a good way to make the most of my remaining clinical time as a student.

In general, the goals that I have been writing are things like this:

  • Improved my assessment skills with regards to grading and describing cardiac murmurs.
  • Managed patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
  • Learned how to function in the role of NP during emergent/code situations.
  • Gained experience with procedures as appropriate for the NP role in my clinical site (central line placement, intubation, etc.).
  • Identified patients nearing discharge and appropriately plan for their discharge needs (such at immunizations, follow-up appointments).
  • Managed a patient load of at least __?__ patients.
  • Improved my organization and confidence when presenting patients in interdisciplinary rounds.

Does this sound like I am aiming at the right place? Should I be expecting more of myself by graduation? Less? I want to be as "ready" as possible when I graduate, but I am not sure I know exactly what that should mean...

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to student NP forum

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

In terms of patient load, find out what is typical of your clinical site, and aim for that. The closer you can get to taking a full assignment by graduation, the better you will be prepared after graduation.

Overall your objectives are pretty solid. Just think about all the things a practicing acute peds NP does, and aim to be doing that by the time you graduate. No one expects you to be operating at the same level as an established NP, but setting high standards will help better prepare you and make you more competent down the road.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
In terms of patient load, find out what is typical of your clinical site, and aim for that. The closer you can get to taking a full assignment by graduation, the better you will be prepared after graduation.

Overall your objectives are pretty solid. Just think about all the things a practicing acute peds NP does, and aim to be doing that by the time you graduate. No one expects you to be operating at the same level as an established NP, but setting high standards will help better prepare you and make you more competent down the road.

Thanks for responding. After all my other clinical rotations, I have found that acute care PNPs daily work varies so much depending on their setting! I need at least 10 goals to turn in, so I will keep trying to think of more things along this same line. Appreciate you telling me that I am on the right track:up:

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