Getting through NP school

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I am in my second semester of my ANP program and am finding it very stressful. I am non-traditional in that I am older and think it would be very helpful to have a mentor while in school. I think I might either be older than or the same age as most of my professors. I thought another student ahead of me may be a good idea as a potential mentor but wonder how others have done this in case you have. I am single and don't have the one at home to "share" this with. Also, I want to know if you found grad achool to be a sort of student teach thyself experience or if you have actual solid lectures? Lots of reading of Power Points in my classes. I do need that rationale included in my lectures in order to transfer it to practice. Any tips on getting through school? I do want this very badly and feel it is right. If other schools are more interested in the students and offer a good general education, I might consider a transfer. Grad school could be rather similar everywhere though. Thanks

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

I don't know about NP programs, but my in my MSN program generally the lectures have the material you need. So far there's only been one class where I've actually needed to read the textbook.

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Hi, Tweety,

I am about 2/3s done with my MSN (either CNS or NP, haven't decided yet) program. What are the stressfull aspects that you are dealing with? Amount of material, useless of the material, boring lectures? Tests?

I am 55, so I am also "non traditional", but you have a lot of wisdom from your years of experience. (I assume you are the same Tweety as the moderator). So, don't sweat the age thing. I am also same age or older than lots of my professors.

Some of my classes have been online, some in classroom. I found that one key is finding out who the good teachers are, and taking their classes, be it online or in person. A lot of the beginning material (stats, research, theory) seem kind of fluffy and not good hard material that you can actually use in practice. To be frank, most of my classes so far have been more theory than practical. (Research, Theory, Epidemiology, Stats, Physio 1 & 2, Patho 1 & 2, Pharm). I do a lot of "teach myself", looking up things on the internet for alternate explanations of concepts that I think the instructor hasn't covered well enough.

Let me know what issues you are having, I'd be happy to converse about them.

Cheers,

Oldiebutgoodie

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

This is not Tweety the former moderator but a new poster with similar name.

Welcome!

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Most of my class was over the 35 year old mark and more than a few were over 40.... We were all very far from being considered traditional.

So I am also most curious for you to go a little more in depth about the stressors.

One big factor that helped everyone in my class is that we banded together to help each other.

Most of the first year of my program was class / lecture with some on-line instruction. It was the most mind boggling aggravating year of school I have ever had.

There was almost no spoon feeding. Lectures covered everything in broad strokes. Outside of the class is where the refinement had to take place. As for learning the nitty-gritty I happened to be friends with a doctor and a PA and pumped them for information. I was the only guy in the program and I was lucky during my woman's health and pediatric clinicals everyone in the office, class, including the professor chipped in and taught me and answered my billion and one questions.

My class as a whole had decided what we were going to say at the end when they asked us to complete overall program evaluations. We know some changes were made.

If you are not getting it in school try to study as much as you can on your own:

Pharmacology

Anatomy and Physiology

Labs (not just the values but what those values mean and how to put that meaning down in writing)...

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Grad schools might vary some, in business school I had mostly lectures and sharing of info btw experienced business people. In nursing there was lectures but a lot of "finding it on your own" which I think is needed in health care as you will be doing it your entire career. But, now with this new thing called the internet, I can find stuff and crank out homework like nothing, usually I'm a month ahead. And I really use emedicine a lot in my job. Great site!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, CVICU/SICU/Flight.

Hi Twenty,

I understand where you are at. I just completed an ACNP where the professor prided herself in teaching NPs like she taught medical students years back. She would say our last name, we would stand up and she would give us a scenario and we would need to come up with questions for further assessment, a list of diagnoses and a list of orders (labs/meds, etc) that we would be expected to write all within a three min span of time (she would time us as if we were rounding). It got better as we understood expectations and now I can rattle off things I would initially consider for most diagnoses. I tell you this because I honestly thought about dropping out. I am 43 and struggled with this element of the program. What helped me most was having a former student (graduate) who helped me throughout my program. I would strongly suggest trying to connect with one who graduated a year or two ahead of you. They lived through the pain. Perhaps your school has a list of previous students they use as preceptors, etc. That would be where I would start. Preface it with wanting to develop a relationship with a preceptor etc.

I don't know of any school that doesn't expect you as a graduate student to self learn concepts. Most at this stage expect self learners to being able to synthesize material and "own" the material. Having said that there were multiple times where I felt the instructor did the minimum, I mean she assigned too much reading (most you couldn't keep up with it) and you would have to choose what you feel is important to learn and what's not. On many occasions I wanted to 'sonic punch' the instructor. I choose which books to read from and left Harrisons (huge, book) as a resource, but did read Tierney from and back. So you choose what is best.

Having a former student help me better understand expectations was very helpful. She actually ended up helping me with proof reading papers, pdrugs, case studies, etc. If you can't locate a previous student is there an NP at the hospital or where you work that might serve in that role?

Let me know how else I can help. You can get through this, just breathe and you will do fine.

Tracey

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, CVICU/SICU/Flight.

After rereading your message Tweety, I am not sure I helped you. I know having similar feelings and just did what I had to do to survive.

Tracey

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:typing:banghead::eek::bugeyes:

Tweety..... take a deep breath and contemplate your naval... Just kidding! Look any of us who have been through the ringer of NP school felt the same as you. What am I doing here, and why do I stay! For me it was to increase my scope and practice at a level that exceeded a staff nurse (now that I have insulted all of nursedom I will go on). My own program was woefully lacking in any help or education concerning the practice of an NP. They never told me about the basics of CPT coding, for example.I constantly had to scan the research and books on my own for the pertinent knowledge I needed to practice. I don't blame my program(LOL), that was the way it was set up. However, YOU are in an advanced degree program. You are going to be the one responsible for your own knowledge and expertise. I got through it by sheer obstinence and perseverence. You will never know it all, or be completely satisfied that you have everything under control....

Now that I am through with the rant.... Get involved with a group of your fellow students (it doesn't matter if they are younger or older than you) you are all in the same boat. Next, find someone who is licensed and practicing in your community and pump them for every bit of information,tips/techniques,and pearls of wisedom about practice. If that person is an MD/DO/NP/PA it doesn't matter, they are in practice and will be able to tell you what is nice to know vs have to know. My program specifically told me not to "associate" with PA's and DO's, but they were the ones most cooperative when I needed preceptors and advice. Finally, take stock in your own counsel. It took determination to get to NP school, and you will survive it. I relied on 20+ years of ER/ICU experience and it stood me well. Constantly update your reading and practice skills to keep you ahead of the professors expectations. Good luck in future...

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Specializes in PACU predominately.

Hi tweety,

I am in my second semester of school for my MSN, I am going for ACNP...its along road ahead and i take it one semester at a time. We can be our own worst enemy's, I stress everything. I'd be glad to chat with you & compare school horror stories with you. I think we are in about the same stage of the process. I am in an online program at Drexel, how about you? I am currently taking a informatics class. I am suppose to sign up for spring semester and so far I can't pick my poison. I guess tommorroww I will have to choose before they choose for me.

Look forward to hear from you.

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