Day in the life of an FNP student?

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Anybody here currently enrolled in an FNP program? I'm hoping to start in the spring of 2016.

Anybody willing to share your school experiences or map out what a day is like for you? Do you work? What has been the most challenging thing for you so far?

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I am currently enrolled in the FNP program at UTA. The toughest part if finding a preceptor. I think I would very much like to not have to worry about clinical sites given the program is so stressful already. UTHSCSA provides clinical sites. GOOD LUCK

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I am about to start my second and last year of the FNP program at the University of Virginia. For my first year I worked full time (36hr/wk) and I'm permanent nights. My classes were only on Fridays so it was doable.

This coming fall and spring are going to be different though. I am going to part time and only doing 24 hr/wk because I have to get in 300 clinical hours for this fall and 300 for the spring which averages around 22 hours a week. I have classes on Thursday so basically I only have Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for clinical and I'll work Friday and Saturday nights.

The worst part is finding a preceptor close by. Also, since the majority of primary care clinics are only open 8-9 hours a day it takes more days to do your clinical hours as opposed to ACNPs who can pull 12 hour shifts for inpatient care.

If you can financially afford to go down to part time I would. It's stressful working full time and going to school full time.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Thank you for your replies. I hear finding a preceptor can be a daunting task. I've also heard that you have to pay for them. Is that true?

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I have heard of some schools paying preceptors but I've never personally known of a preceptor getting paid nor have any of my NP friends. Most schools will help you find a preceptor if you live in the surrounding area of the school. I live an hour from my school so I looked on my own but my instructor has contacts where I live and helped me out. I suggest you start getting the word out to potential preceptors 6 months in advance since you will be competing with other students for placements.

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Do you mind me asking where you did your undergrad? UVA?

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andrewsun I got my nursing degree from UVA in a second degree program. I went to undergrad at Concord College and graduated with a non nursing degree.

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