So I just started my NNP clinicals this week, and boy is it different. I am at a different unit than the one I work in, and it's a much different pace. It felt EXTREMELY weird taking a medical sign-out on 10 patients instead of nursing report on 1-2pts.
It was weird NOT doing vs, nursing assessments, giving meds, answering IVs, feeds, playing secretary, etc.
It was weirder ordering TPN, running delivery room resuscitations, presenting on rounds and taking H&Ps.
It feels strange. I didn't feel like a nurse, and I didn't feel like an NNP just yet. I felt like I didn't quite belong. The nurses were friendly, but didn't treat me like a fellow nurse. I felt strange giving them orders.
Reading Xrays, ordering feeds, labs, meds, etc was an amazing new experience.
Is this how it was for all of you who were nurses long before starting as an NP?
I had my first experience last week handling a call from the ICU. I worked as an ICU nurse for MANY years and from experience figured the guy making the call knew what he wanted... so I asked. He of course had an answer ready. Now the irony is that a year ago I would have popped out the answer but now my focus isn't critical care, it's family medicine--this just happened to be "my" patient and I was on call for the practice (yes, I did have an MD available to consult with if I was really lost or uncomfortable). So I explained this to him and after a few moments of calculating told him to go ahead with what he wanted, also gave him a couple of additional orders. That felt very strange.
Just wait for the day when you have one of us NICU RNs looking at you saying, "What do I do?", and you realize, you are the "decider"!
Or, when the grumpy nurses start saying, "He forgot where he came from." I see it happen to some NNPs I really respect, and feel bad for them (and to some NNPs who deserve it, unfortunately).
Yes, that still feels strange to be the "decider" sometimes, but cool at the same time! :)
i'm surprised you like it. i hated every minute of it and still do! (feeling out of place)
i like nothing more than being comfortable in more role! good luck to you... i think it is probably a good sign you like what you're doing, i bet it shows!!!
OK...just curious...were you a Neonatal Nurse before/while going through NP school? Love your excitement...
Yes. My school required a full year of Level III NICU experience for admission, and I was required to get at least another year while in school. You need 2 years to graduate from any NNP program.
I started with 2 years Level IIIb NICU experience, and will have 2 1/2 more of Level IIIc by the time I graduate.
Joan Z
121 Posts
I had my first experience last week handling a call from the ICU. I worked as an ICU nurse for MANY years and from experience figured the guy making the call knew what he wanted... so I asked. He of course had an answer ready. Now the irony is that a year ago I would have popped out the answer but now my focus isn't critical care, it's family medicine--this just happened to be "my" patient and I was on call for the practice (yes, I did have an MD available to consult with if I was really lost or uncomfortable). So I explained this to him and after a few moments of calculating told him to go ahead with what he wanted, also gave him a couple of additional orders. That felt very strange.