Describe your first NP clinical rotation

[NurseBlaq]

Describe your first NP clinical rotation. Do's and don'ts. Any hints? Was it as bad as you thought it would be or did you psych yourself up for nothing?

[verene, MSN]

My first rotation was in private practice child/adolescent population. I was nervous beforehand because I didn't have a lot of experience working with kids. It was a good experience, I had a great preceptor.

Do - be professional, ask questions, and ask what the site/preceptor recommends you bring in, and what they expect from you in terms of proficiency/knowledge AND share with them what you would like to be working on as well and if you have any particular interest areas. Ask about templates.

Don't - assume you know everything (conversely do not underestimate what knowledge you DO bring to the table). Don't assume the preceptor has any knowledge of what you do/do not know or are expected to be working on with out telling them. Just because a preceptor has a different approach from another preceptor or from how you were taught in school does NOT mean they are wrong. There's a fair amount of practice variation which can still all fall with in safe practice guidelines.

Go in with an open mind and learn as much as you can. ?

[NurseBlaq]

Thanks for the info. I'm super nervous but excited at the same time.