About to start clinicals... A little freaked out!

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Ok, freaked out is a bit of an understatement. I'm a nervous wreck. I'm in an online FNP program (University of South Alabama) and I am feeling a little alone. I have to find preceptors, get contracts signed, and dive into clinicals all within the next month. I also need to go and buy some 'professional' clothes and labcoats. I guess I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I've been doing didactics only for the past year, but I in NO WAY feel ready for clinicals. :eek:

Does anyone have any words of wisdom or encouragement? I'm such a wreck... Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated! :D

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

What do you plan to do with your NP? What kind of NP program are you in?

Clinicals for me were both the most fun (ie I learned a lot) but also stressful (in that, especially with peds, I didn't care for it).

I was fortunate to have some wonderful preceptors who taught me a lot. I too had to find preceptors on my own. Not too much fun but the school did keep a list of people that had precepted in the past.

At any rate, good luck. Pick some preceptors that are out of your comfort zone for the best learning experiences.

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If you weren't freaked out then you would quite possibly be dangerous... a little fear is a good thing! The only advice I have is to just jump in and go in and see a patient. You will be surprised at how much you actually DO know and it will help you get going on the rest of your semester.

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I am in the graduating class at USA in the FNP program. PM me and I'll give you some advice.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

In addition to what others have mentioned, also don't be afraid to ask questions - no matter how minor they seem. I always liked to learn what my preceptors' rationales were for doing certain things - it helped me to understand a whole lot better. Also, if you find something "off" during a physical exam, never hesitate to have your preceptor double-check your findings. This helped me tremendously because it always made me feel better to have someone else confirm that I did hear/see/feel something abnormal. Also, never be afraid to admit what you don't know.

As far as choosing preceptors, I would try to mix it up and get paired off with a doc, NP and PA if possible (and if allowable by your school) to see how different their approaches are. One of my favorite preceptors was a PA. She was by far one of the most thorough practitoners I was with. Also, if you are going FNP, try and mix up your clinical sites. Don't stay with one family practitioner throughout your whole clinical requirements. I would try to go with specialists if you are able for the peds and OB/GYN portions. You just see so much more than you would if you did those rotations in a family practice office.

Best wishes, and make the most of this time! :)

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In my program, we started clinicals right at the beginning of the first semester. I have had four rounds of clinicals and was terrified at the beginning of each. Just remember, in one to two weeks, you will not be terrified. Most of the fear, I found, was the not knowing what to expect...the preceptor, the other NPs, the docs, the patients, etc. Be humble, ask many questions and bring resources to look things up. Everyone expects you not to know everything...that is why you are there. You will be most impressive, and learn the most, if you are able to quickly find out what you need to know in each situation in order to make good, safe clinical decisions. Best of luck to you...believe in yourself - you CAN do this!!!

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Specializes in Emergency, MCCU, Surgical/ENT, Hep Trans.

And just remember, you are there to learn, not expected to know everything. I find myself, even after three years, looking up a lot, I know, shock, shock and I've been a nurse for 20 years. Enjoy your rotations, listen to these fine folks and feel free to vent here. I wish I had known about this blog, uh...support system here while in school. Even today, I find this web site an inspiration at times.

I enjoy reading and giving, no sometimes doling out advice about grad school, in hopes it will make someone elses experience better than mine. I too was a freakazoid at times, nearly worried a hole in my stomach, felt like the only Cheeto in the large bag of Lays Ruffles at times. But I did too get thru it, much better than my undergrad years. I felt as if I learned so much and can apply so much too. I'm sure many of the other NPs who have been RNs for years will empathize, it changes your life so much. I feel energized again and love going to work, not dreading it like I found myself so many times in the ICU.

I never dreamed that I'd find a job as a NP in an ED (or that the job would actually find me!) Fate has a way of laughing at you sometimes. My words: open up your mind, learn all you can and NEVER let anyone shut you down. Ask about the best books, best PDAs and like someone said, jump out of that comfort zone. No one will fault you for that, ever.

Feel free to ask me anything, really, no question is too silly in my health/student/NP world. :up:

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

Great post, sandnnw! I, too, have found a new life as an NP. I once again enjoy going to work and don't dread it like I did as a seasoned RN. Hopefully, this feeling will last a very long time!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

You have all the right feelings. I remember being a wreck before I started clinicals and being afraid I would totally screw up. A few weeks into my rotations I was loving it! You've gotten some great advice from others here. I agree that if possible, try to get as wide a variety of experiences as possible. Ask questions...this is your time to learn and take full advantage of the resources at your clinical sites. And the most important thing....listen and learn from your patients. You will gain far more from your interactions with them then you will from any textbook.

Come back after you start and let us know how it's going.

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Specializes in General.

i remember my first day of clinical, and the first time I walked into see a patient I said " Good morning my name is" and drew a blank the mom started to laugh and said yeah Joan ( my preceptor) told me you were a little nervous. I guess that is why my school made us wear name badges so we could look at them to remind ourselves of who we were. And then when I was a PNP i walked in and said good morning I am so so and so the NP student LOL:yeah:

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I'm just seeing these replies, as I've been working and sick. Thanks so much, this is all great advice!

Blessed X3, I'd love some of your advice, however, I'm still not allowed to send PM's. I guess I haven't had enough posts! My email is [email protected]

I'll be back later with more of a response to your kind words. Thanks!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hope things are going well for you.

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