Do NPs get training?

[EagerToBeFNP]

Hello. I'm a new grad FNP and just started working about 1 month ago. I was able to shadow the MD one week prior to starting. When starting, I then saw my own patients and would present the cases to the MD so he could diagnose and create the plan. Now I am expected to be able to manage the simpler cases by myself . I take about half an hour per patient. I am constantly having to ask questions and find it very time consuming to look up things while the patients are waiting. I'm just wondering how other new grads were introduced into their new role. I feel unprepared.

[JellyDonut]

I'd prefer not to post too much information, but it is a specialty practice. I was given a VERY different version of how things would start the first couple of months (eg. severity of patients, amount of time booked per patient, the fact that each pt would be presented) and so I wanted to know the general experience of others. I see that it's a combination of factors, including poor clinical experience contributing to a lack of confidence. It is sink or swim. Thank you all for your replies!

Rules are a little different when considering family vs specialty practice. Family you get the run of the mill mix of everything and you do see the same things over and over during certain times of the year. Plus, you get pretty adept at the HTN, DM and HLD management.

Specialty practice has its own prickly nuances. Starting with the fact that your physicians are experts in certain areas in addition to their basic training. It can be quite intimidating coming directly from school. It also required you work harder to get up to speed so your physicians are not in a constant eye-roll. Also, your patients expect you to know, in detail, how to treat their condition.

I am not sure what area you work in, but I do know every specialty practice sees many patients who can be easily handled by PCP and these are most likely the once you should focus on and be prepared to see. Look back at prior treatment plans and try to draw on similarities of conditions with treatments. Also, know your guidelines - cannot emphasize that enough.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

I work for a hospital conglomerate. I oriented in 3 facilities with physicians that completed residencies in Palliative Care for 2 weeks each. So a total of 6 weeks of working directly with a physician. I see 14 patients a day typically but with this specialty each can be quite time consuming as we are also dealing with families and end of life. I utilize references and ask questions when I don't know the answer. I also take notes of new things daily and look up/study when home.

[casias12]

Someone once said a cardiologist could be replaced with an app, a primary could be replaced with a Wal-mart greeter.

I took that to mean that PCP's just refer patients out, loosely, by the body system, and specialists get so used to seeing the same thing, they can write orders in their sleep.