First Year as NP

[himilayaneyes]

Hi. I've been a licensed family nurse practitioner for 8 months now with about 7 months of practice. Before this, I had been working as an adult ICU nurse for about 6.5 years. I feel totally comfortable seeing adults but started a per-diem job where I treat adults and children. I decided I wanted to be a FNP who specializes in pediatrics because I love interacting with the children. I found a peds job, got a 1hr orientation (unpaid), 2hr computer training (unpaid) which consisted of "This is how I do physicals." I just gave my two weeks notice after a little more than 2 months there for various reasons including unpaid lunch breaks, not being a fan of night shift, and lack of support. I feel out of place because I'm learning a totally different specialty...children are not miniature adults. I'm now at a different pediatric practice where I have been shadowing the MD and will continue to do so for a couple of weeks. She is knowledgeable and gives me homework. I've decided that I'm going to bust my butt reading articles, journals, and finding out everything I can possibly learn about pediatrics. Thanks for reading my vent...I guess my real question is how long until you start to feel comfortable in your diagnostic abilities as a NP. I feel great with adults, but peds is a new territory.

P.S. In addition to learning a new specialty, I'm also learning Spanish due to my patient population. Feel likes there's a lot to learn with too little time.

[Psychcns]

It sounds like a great learning opportunity. Steep learning curve but a lot of support. Keep track of your questions, Meet with your doc as often as possible, and read. It sounds like you have a good background and now you have to put the time in. Best wishes!