How Can I Start Thinking Like An NP?

[BlessedOne]

As a registered nurse, you complete orders for patients and when you see what is ordered, you can kind of guess of what the physician is trying to figure out.

Well as an NP, the role of diagnosing will be mine and I trying to figure out what (if anyone can put into words) changed your thought patterns from a nurse to a NP. I know the thinking process of a nurse will always be there, but what are your new patterns of thinking as the NP, which has helped you in dx. and treating patients.

Thanks you:wink2:

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

First of all, as an APN, I usually have more time to LISTEN to my patients. I get a thorough history first and then go the assessment, order tests, get results, interpret them and diagnose and determine treatment. Much can be said for a good history.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I am just now discovering this mode of thinking as a 2nd year NNP student. Instead of seeing random lab values that may demand a single intervention, you start seeing patterns... red flags go up in your brain as to possible causes. Pathophysiology starts making sense right in front of you.

[zenman]

Diagnosis is based 70% on history, 15% on examination and 5% on tests. Tests can only give you what you asked for and sometimes you don't know the right questions. - Christine Page, M.D.

I always liked this answer.

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

Well, I have only been an NP for 3 months now, and even though I am currently in a position I don't love (my last day here is next tuesday), I nevertheless feel I have somehow truly become an NP in my thinking. I felt the change come on towards the end of my NP program, even while I was still working as a staff RN. I feel I now really do look at the whole patient, and not just think about isolated tasks I have to perform, or assess. The pieces have, for the most part, fallen into place...which is really cool. Now I just have to simply find a better job! :)