How not to suck!

[NP2bman]

I am an NP student who is doing fairly well in my program. I feel this program is challenging and is doing a sufficient job training me for a provider role. The only thing is I can't imagine being able to start a job as a provider when my schooling is over. I know a lot of people feel this way so can anyone give me some tips on how not to be one of "those" nurse practitioners. The ones the doctors complain about. What can I do now to help me become a better provider? All help is appreciated!

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I feel the same way. I was a nurse for 15 years, and worked closely with physicians to gain trust and write "verbal" orders for things that made sense. As time went on, I think autonomy and involvement dwindled. Making the jump to nurse practitioner was, for me, a necessity.

When I walk into hospitals today, never see the same nurse twice, and see them all sitting at the desk doodling on their i-things, I get a little annoyed. Ask a question of a nurse, the common answer is, "I don't know if he went to surgery yesterday, I've only had him for 4 hours".

But any nurse who is planning to move up to NP should already be at a point in their career where they are thinking "I know what I would order/do for this patient. Man I wish I could just write the orders". That is someone who has enough experience to make the transition and be successful.

Then why go to NP school? Just sit for the exam and be done with it if you already know what to do? I'm being facetious of course, but that just seems a bit over the top. Anyone who thinks they already know what to do before going into a NP school is setting themselves up to be a dangerous provider.

[Buyer beware, BSN]

One thing that can help is doing as much clinical time as you can. Just doing the "minimum" hours doesn't cut it. The problem most NP students have is they still have to work so they wind up shortchanging themselves in regards to the clinical practicum hours. This is where you will learn the most...well...hopefully if you have good preceptors/mentors. I try to get my students to get more involved in the clinical rotations...I even do "projects" in which they need to research an actual patient scenario and come up with how they would evaluate, diagnose, and follow the patient. I cannot tell you how many times the answers are typical "nursing"...vital signs, oxygen, diet, some even tell me "what ever the physician orders". One of my pet peeves why NP students need more experience under their belts and be in positions where they have actually had to do critical thinking. Something to consider is while working as a nurse...look at your patient and consider what would you order? why? what about follow-up outside the critical setting?

"Something to consider is whlie working as a nurse..."

Well, I've never actually worked as a nurse but the accredited school I went to without an entry interview, GRE with a GPA of 0.0 said being an NP is like riding a bicycle...and this right before they raided my loan money and then told me to pay it forward pronto.

[MikeFNPC, MSN]

Everyone sucks and life isn't fair. Just do the best you can, don't worry about what people think about you.

Mike

[zayrhia]

What's the minimum amount of clinical hours that you (experienced NPs) consider acceptable upon graduation?

[BostonFNP, APRN]

What's the minimum amount of clinical hours that you (experienced NPs) consider acceptable upon graduation?

Program clinical hours? The national certification bodies determine this as far as entry to practice. Personally, I feel it varies based on the quality of the clinical rotation/setting. I think most students with 600-1000 hours of relevant clinical experience are ready to enter practice (provided they pass the boards) while it really takes an additional 5000 hours to become more comfortable with the role and begin to function fully independently.