I don't think I want to do FNP anymore?

[Jmallard]

I am in my first semester of FNP school at UAB. Advanced patho is taught by an instructor with ph.d. my other friends that are FNPs said their patho was much easier. This course is very challenging to me, but prior to getting in FNP I have always had a second thought about having the primary provider role. I really enjoy having my RN,BSN. I really think I made a mistake, but I am going try to tough out the semester, plus my parents don't want me to quit. It is really hard juggling school and full time job. Is that normal having second thoughts in 1st semester.

[Jmallard]

Well, I guess I don't know what to expect and ask freaking out. I suppose that in this role, you will have to be able to pop out diagnoses when the patient talks with you and know your stuff and then the liability. Many of my friends that are FNP said you leave out the room and use resources for all that. But I guess they will train you for that and you learn by experience. I remember when I became a nurse, I didn't know everything when I got my license, I still had to learn, but I guess I feel the same way if I am a Np, what if after school I don't know certain things when I start working? Is it really that simple to use epocrates and other resources to help you diagnose and prescribe.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Patho isn't supposed to be easy- the material itself is complex. Some people might just have a natural knack for understanding the concepts and so have an easier time with it. If the class itself is "too easy" then the students might not be well-prepared for clinicals or the licensure exam.

Consider all the options before making a decision. Best wishes to you.

[NerdyNikki]

I would reevaluate your goals. You are creating more anxiety for yourself but looking into the future. Just focus on trying to pass Patho. On this path to obtaining your FNP, you will encounter alot of challenges. I am also an FNP student. Though schooling is diffcult, I wouldn't change what I doing. Its doing these hardships that leader's are made. Understand that sacrifices will have to be made as well. For myself, I am only working weekend hours (Saturday and Sunday) and spend majority of my time hammer in my books. Though I have my discouraging moments, I dont allow it to deter me for my goals. You can do it, but first you have to understand what you want out of life and your career. Everytime I feel anxious about a situation or event, my mother says I only have enough faith for this moment to carry me to the next. Be encourage

[Tinabeanrn]

Jmallard, you will definitely stretch.your brain. But you learn as you go. is not going to be possible that you know everything we graduate. even physicians have to look things up all the time. I know it's challenging thinking about starting a new role but it's something you could definitely do. hang in there honey. you will see things over and over again and become expert before you know it.. or at least that's what I keep telling myself lol. just kidding you could do it go for it.

[mammac5]

What you're feeling is entirely normal and expected. NP programs should be tough. Working full-time while taking a challenging course such as Pathophysiology might not be the best choice for you; I couldn't have worked full-time during my NP program. I know a few of my colleagues DID work throughout the program but the only ones I personally knew who succeeded had employers who were very supportive and committed to being flexible with working hours and scheduling.

At some point in the very near future, every NP instructor will hold either a DNP or PhD. Please do not be intimidated by your instructor's degree. He or she either knows the information and is able to relate it to students or not. The degree itself is not so important.

Take an informal poll of your cohort at school - how many of them are working full time during school? Perhaps you could share this information with your family and help them see that working full time may not be compatible with success in your NP program. You could really use their emotional support at this time. If they are not able to emotionally support you, find an alternate support system (extended family, friends, other students, church family, etc.) for yourself and make your own determination of your goals and priorities.

If you stop short of your goal just because it's harder than you thought it would be, because you have to work out alternate financial arrangements now that you realize working full time is not compatible with the time you need to study, because your family does not understand your struggles, or because being a NP involves hard work and exposes you to legal liabilities...I think you're going to miss out on something great.

[zoidberg, BSN, RN]

also, do not stress about not knowing every diagnosis that walks in the door. A MD i shadowed for a month who was the BEST pediatrician in the state still had to go pull out some books to check on a few things at times. Being a good provider is not knowing everything, no human can do that. It is knowing where to look to find the answer. MD's are scared when they start treating their first patients, PA's are scared too. NP's are no different. You should be stressed! If you weren't, it would mean you were way to confidant.

Get licensed, get out there, and you will learn along the way. School gives you the basics.

[NJnewRN]

LDrnWNB, If you don't mind, where are you attending school?

[reddgirl]

I worked full time five days a week when I took Patho. I failed, but I reduced my schedule got right back into it and passed with an A! I just passed my boards yesterday and let me tell you it is worth it! NP schools are suppose to challenge you, you are suppose to come out knowing the safe/minimum knowledge needed to care for your patients. Everything will fall into place. This is quite normal to feel this way. Take it from me, I dropped out of school six times before my husband shoved me out the door! LOL

[Annaiya, NP]

I'm at UAB and took Patho and Role Development together while working full-time. I spent a ton of time studying, but got through the semester and got As in both classes, so it can be done. You just have to really put in the time studying. But as someone else said, you will use all of this information in your career so it is worth the investment. Patho is a very hard class, but you need that deeper level of understand to function at the level of an NP. I still find myself being self-conscious and frustrated in clinicals by how much better the med students understand the processes in the body.

While Patho is hard, it is definitely not the most challenging semester you'll have in school. FNPs are required to know a lot and have a lot of responsibility. I wouldn't worry about how you will function when you get done with school, school will prepare you for that. I think it's just a matter of whether or not you are willing to commit the time it will take to learn what you need to know. It isn't easy, but it will make you into a competent novice NP. Good luck with your decision!