FNP student Seeking advice

[karma765]

Hi guys!

FNP program year 3 (MSN prepared). First clinical coming up this week. So I talk to my preceptor over the phone; she has never precepted an NP student before. She asks me what the school's expectations are. I told her what class and skill prep/ check was like. She says, "no I mean what are they expecting you to do? I think if you follow me around, you can learn everything you need to know." Ok, at this point, I am thinking uh oh. I very nicely said well, no they want me to follow you around for one or two days to learn your workflow and your expectations and then I need to be seeing patients. She says, Well I am just not sure my patients will go for that."

[(me thinking) WHAT!?!? I know she has been through this entire process herself not that many years ago] I say, well my understanding is that the MA (medical assistant) gently approaches the subject while taking her VS and brief assessment. She says, "well possibly, or I will ask them. But I am not sure they will go for it."

At this point, I am praying this is a misunderstanding and she just doesn't realize that I will be going in to see the patient with or without her to do the assessment and then report off to her. However, I do have another placement I was going to take in July that I may need to move up if it doesn't work. My plan is to go in and act like it is all just a miscommunication that we need to talk about. However, this NP is also my PCP and is just offhandedly asked her if she would precept me and she said yes. But I am wondering if she is now having second thoughts and is looking for an out? What do you guys think?

[Nurseof10years]

I think you need to sit down and review expectations with her. Take paperwork to lay out guidelines and ideas.