FNP clinical questions?

Trauma Columnist · Jan 10, 2010

Relax, ask questions, stand back when asked to, step forward when you can.

Relax, ask questions.

akoster · Jan 10, 2010

Remember you are a student and are there to learn you are not expected to know everythiing already. Put the book knowledge together with patient presentations and it will stick.

buster4 · Jan 11, 2010

thank you all for the words of encouragment, I am stressing, I think I am expected to be able to "see" patients, (which obviously I am not, this is my first clinical). but I am putting that in my head, that I am supposed to "know' all this stuff already...... I am so anxious to learn!! and to be the best I can be.. but I am scared!!

BChapp3182 · Jan 11, 2010

Don't sweat it. Your preceptor knows this is your first clinical rotation and will certainly not expect you to know much. You'll probably start off just shadowning for a day and then move onto taking history and physicals. What really really helped me (and impressed my preceptors) was these clinical paperback books called SOAP notes. They basically are cliff notes on what to do for each dx, except in a super condensed format. They helped me to study from as well.

Good luck, relax, don't be afraid to say I don't know or to look stuff up. You can also learn a ton from the pts themselves.

allnurses Guide · Jan 12, 2010

Make sure you take the initiative to ask questions and ensure you get what you need from your clinicals. Hopefully, your school uses good preceptors who like to teach. Don't stress about making mistakes. This is your time to learn and you will always have your preceptor to check with. Enjoy meeting and getting to know your patients, and the most important thing you can do is listen to them.....

Good luck!

buster4 · Jan 12, 2010

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragment and advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do appreciate them, wish me luck I start next week!!!! Pray for me to learn lots and be a good providor!!

bnrn03 · Jan 15, 2010

This post really helped me too! I did my first day of clinical today and I feel the same way I am so afraid to make a mistake I am paralyzing myself.

Does anyone have any advice about chart documentation? I don't want to look like a moron. I am used to charting as a nurse but this is quite different does anyone have any advice.

Where would I find the SOAP notes for clinical that were mentioned in a previous post anyone know? I'd like any help I can get.

carachel2 · Jan 15, 2010

I always spent the first day of clinicals shadowing the NP or MD and then towards the afternoon started doing the exam along with them. The next days of clinicals I saw patients myself. Honestly, as daunting as it sounds it is one of THE best ways to make yourself think and learn. There is a lot to be learned from watching a seasoned professional, but there is also a lot to be learned when you are in the room by yourself and forced to start thinking it out.

When you are observing, don't allow yourself just to passively watch. Be thinking about what you would ask and what specifically you are looking for.

I always created a written form/SOAP note form to help push me along and prompt me to ask certain questions. We also had to have this information for our clinical log/patient entry system required by the university.

kurtzmobile · Jan 17, 2010

Hello,

Things that helped me as resources were: Maxwells clinical guide that you can get at Barnes and Noble, alsotry this link for various pocket guides... wwwccspublishing.com/ccs. I also used Lange Case Files books to help study and learn current recommendations for various common conditions.

Hope that helps,

Jen