Improving NP Education

futureeastcoastNP · Aug 18, 2014

Reduce fluff classes, increase science courses, increase clinical hours, require incoming students to take upper level science (like organic chemistry and biochemistry), force all programs to provide preceptors, shut down for profit schools.

Yes, there are endless ways to improve NP education.

matthewandrew, NP · Aug 20, 2014

I wonder if these improvements will increase the time it takes to obtain NP?

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UCLA FNP Class of 2016

MurseJJ · Aug 20, 2014

I've always wondered if a graduate level gross anatomy course is needed. I met up with a friend earlier this week that just finished his first semester/summer session in PA school (May to August), and he told me about the anatomy course he finished, with cadaver lab (and that was in addition to grad physiology, patient interviewing, ECG course, diagnostic methods, and clinical pathology). While we both took undergrad anatomy and physiology (me for nursing, him for PA), it's very interesting to me that most NP programs don't have a graduate anatomy course. It seems to be more common in CRNA programs, and a few, not many, AG-ACNP programs.

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Aug 20, 2014

I feel at a disadvantage not having had an class on reading X-rays and how to dress a would or sew a simple laceration. Skills that an NP in a hospital-setting could use. Something like that would have been great..

doctorwhofan · Aug 21, 2014

I don't know how other schools do clinicals but my school put the student in charge of finding his/her own preceptor. I picked clinicals that would be the most beneficial for boards and in the long run. I learned (or began learning) to read chest films, ct scans, and simple sutures while on my clinical rotations as my school did not offer any courses on this. Having said this, a cadaver lab would've been amazing! I got to participate in one when I did ATLS and it was very helpful.

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futureeastcoastNP · Aug 21, 2014

I've always wondered if a graduate level gross anatomy course is needed. I met up with a friend earlier this week that just finished his first semester/summer session in PA school (May to August), and he told me about the anatomy course he finished, with cadaver lab (and that was in addition to grad physiology, patient interviewing, ECG course, diagnostic methods, and clinical pathology). While we both took undergrad anatomy and physiology (me for nursing, him for PA), it's very interesting to me that most NP programs don't have a graduate anatomy course. It seems to be more common in CRNA programs, and a few, not many, AG-ACNP programs.

Top NP programs already offer graduate level physiology courses, apart from pathophysiology. My school (Columbia) does, as well as many others that I considered. Another reason to choose a top NP program over a for profit.

matthewandrew, NP · Aug 21, 2014

I don't know how other schools do clinicals but my school put the student in charge of finding his/her own preceptor. I picked clinicals that would be the most beneficial for boards and in the long run. I learned (or began learning) to read chest films, ct scans, and simple sutures while on my clinical rotations as my school did not offer any courses on this. Having said this, a cadaver lab would've been amazing! I got to participate in one when I did ATLS and it was very helpful.
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That's awesome! But I just wish graduate nursing programs didn't depend so much on learning most practical skills on clinicals or on the job training. There really has to be some form of structured lab class that covers reading films, scans, etc. Clinicals should just be reinforcement for these skills. Sometimes, these skills are not even used at certain clinical sites so the NP student is left with a deficit. Just my two cents.

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UCLA FNP Class of 2016

sauce · Aug 25, 2014

Teach yourself. They have plenty of good radiology websites. If you work extra hard it can be a good thing they don't teach people this stuff. I can read x rays fairly well, most nps can't. How does it benefit me? Got me a job making 150k right out of school. If you don't suck you'll make big bucks.

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Aug 26, 2014

I agree with everything said here. How many times can you hear about nursing theories? I would have loved a real class on x-rays too. The professor who teaches the graduate level pharmacology and patho course on campus was actually a radiologist for years. I'm sure he would do a 1-2 hr course on reading x-rays, CT vs. MRI vs. everything else, contrast vs. no contrast. I'm not around a big city so many of my clinical sites have been rural clinics that may not even have x-ray. And I have gone to the "masterclass" website which is great...but it'd still be nice to have some real world practice.

All of the above is exactly why I don't think I will go on for DNP. I don't want to take another research class or nursing theory class or anymore FLUFF. If I get my DNP (CLINICAL based supposedly) I want to learn more about the CLINICAL side of nursing meaning more patho, more A & P, more pharm. I would pay for that.

matthewandrew, NP · Aug 26, 2014

Teach yourself. They have plenty of good radiology websites. If you work extra hard it can be a good thing they don't teach people this stuff. I can read x rays fairly well, most nps can't. How does it benefit me? Got me a job making 150k right out of school. If you don't suck you'll make big bucks.

That's great! What kind of role do you play now? Any suggested resources for this? Thanks in advance!

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UCLA FNP Class of 2016

matthewandrew, NP · Aug 26, 2014

It's really frustrating how the DNP is associated with FLUFF classes. I really hope we are able to improve the curriculum substantially once it's required to go into APRN practice.

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UCLA FNP Class of 2016