Did you feel prepared for clinicals?

[Le-Lee_FNP]

So I am starting to get nervous because I am starting clinicals in the fall. Since my program is online, I have not had any hands on experience performing health histories, physicals, or advanced assessments. My first rotation is women's health. It's not like in nursing school when you get to go the the simulation lab and practice putting an IV on a dummie so that you at least know what to look for. I am terrified about performing pelvic exams and pap smears because I have no clue where to even begin. Will my preceptors think I'm an idiot for having to be walked through everything step by step or will they expect me to know the basics already?

I guess I am just wondering what level of expectation my preceptors will have of me. I have to find my own preceptors so should I tell them straight up that I need to be taught from square one? i mean sure I will know about signs and symptoms and common complaints, etc. but I won't know the first thing about how to use a speculum or palpate a uterus. I am going to feel the same way about my other rotations as well.

For those of you that went to online programs how did you prepare for clinicals?

For those of you that went to B&M, did you have some sort of simulation lab or were you able to practice certain things with your classmates? (Not pelvic exams I'm sure, but other things?)

Personally my health assessment course is a joke and I don't feel prepared for anything.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I go to a hybrid program, but our Phys Assess class was in person. They really grilled us, assuring thorough competency on each system and then the CPE. WE too had live professional models for pelvic, breast, rectal/prostate penile and testicular exams. I felt well prepared, but was still nervous!

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

No matter how well-prepared you are, you will always be nervous before your first clinical. I, personally, felt that way before each clinical experience with a new preceptor. I was fine with seeing patients, but was extremely nervous about meeting my new preceptor and wondering about how the experience would go. Usually, after that first day of clinical, I felt much more relaxed.

To answer your other question, I went to a B&M school and we practiced all of our assessment skills on each other (I would also practice on my husband and children at home). For the pelvic exams/prostate/testicular exams, we had live human surrogates as others have described. It was a great experience and really helped with gaining confidence before doing it in the clinical setting.

[malevirgorn]

Student FNP,

Can you PM your NP school? I don't have mych money but I really want to be an NP. I'm self-directed and will do what it takes but I could not afford Vanderbilt or Duke. Please help. Thanks.

[Jayok]

Those who completed online programs with access to live models, can you please post which school you attended? I am currently researching programs and this information would be beneficial and greatly appreciated.