Beginning Clinical Rotations

[HillNPStudent]

Well, I have just finished another semester of my FNP program. I now have one full year under my belt! Since I am just going through part-time b/c of working full-time, I have four semesters left. I will be beginning my first clinical rotation this fall and am already feeling the nerves kick in! I am stressing over finding a preceptor and wondering do I really have what it takes? I have called one NP I know to see if I could get in some clinical hours and am waiting on a return call, but other than that I am not very familiar with how to go about finding a preceptor other than just asking around and calling. That's what stresses me. Anyone else deal with this? Also, I guess just the reality that I am finally moving on to actually learning how to practice nursing in the role of an NP, and moving out of the classroom into the clinical setting has set off some nerves and doubts in my mind. Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this during the course of their education?

[ERNP]

Woohoo!! I know you are nervous but it really won't be that bad. I remember my first clinical day. I thought I was going to throw up. I think I was hyperventilating and I know my hands were shaking. And this was with people I worked with everyday. I did manage to get a hold of myself just in time to get sick again from having to call for my first consult. But I made it and so will you. Remember you don't have to know everything and no one else knows everything either. Ask all the questions you want and take the time you need to be thorough. You already know a lot more than you are probably giving yourself credit for.

[zenman]

Some things I keep in mind are;

1. no one knows everything

2. each person is different

3. act like you know what you are doing

4. sometimes the less you do, the better the patient does.

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

Some things I keep in mind are;

1. no one knows everything

2. each person is different

3. act like you know what you are doing

4. sometimes the less you do, the better the patient does.

Ok this is totally off the subject, but I have to tell you I just love your new picture of "House." I love that show so much!!!! :) The guy is so sarcastic and rude yet brilliant, he cracks me up.

[zenman]

Ok this is totally off the subject, but I have to tell you I just love your new picture of "House." I love that show so much!!!! :) The guy is so sarcastic and rude yet brilliant, he cracks me up.

And you gotta love how the docs can operate EVERY piece of equipment in the hospital, LOL!

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

And you gotta love how the docs can operate EVERY piece of equipment in the hospital, LOL!

Oh I know! And how about how all the interns spend all that time giving meds and running IVFs, chit-chatting with pts, etc. all the things nurses do in reality. We need some nurse-writers for that show! :)