Is your NP program challenging enough?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Hospice/Palliative Care.

Does anyone out there feel like they are in need of more "tough love" from their program?

I am enjoying the experience, and there are certainly some challenges, but I find myself wishing it was harder-- with the idea that I will be a better NP if I go through a super-tough program.

A penny for your thoughts...

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It's not a huge secret that lack of standardization leads to many programs that are far too easy. Overall the whole NP education model needs overhauled. I'd say the programs are probably difficult enough at the most reputable programs. I'm surprised to hear that about Vandy though.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I am very tough on my students. I never fail them if they are safe but inspect a lot of them. They rewarding with complaints to their clinic instructors. In the end most are very grateful.

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Specializes in Emergency.

What is not difficult about your program? Is it the didactic portion or the clinical portion? Is it that the courses don't seem to be pushing you to learn the patho/science in depth enough? Too many "fluff" courses like theory or role of an NP? Just curious....

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Hospice/Palliative Care.

Well, I am only part-time, so that may skew my opinion. I have not yet done clinicals, so I am speaking about didactic courses. I felt that the content has not been much more challenging than my undergrad courses. In one sense, I am relieved, since I work full time and have a family; on the other hand, I feel like I need to be "whipped into shape" in order to emerge a competent novice NP.

I really don't mean to compain-- my school is wonderful- supportive faculty, wonderful lecturers, etc. I guess I was just expecting something super-intense. I'm just curious to know if others feel similarly (or the exact opposite) about their progrms.

Thanks for the replies. :-)

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Well, I am only part-time, so that may skew my opinion. I have not yet done clinicals, so I am speaking about didactic courses. I felt that the content has not been much more challenging than my undergrad courses. In one sense, I am relieved, since I work full time and have a family; on the other hand, I feel like I need to be "whipped into shape" in order to emerge a competent novice NP.

I really don't mean to compain-- my school is wonderful- supportive faculty, wonderful lecturers, etc. I guess I was just expecting something super-intense. I'm just curious to know if others feel similarly (or the exact opposite) about their progrms.

Thanks for the replies. :-)

What sort of courses are you taking so far that don't feel difficult enough? If it's mainly the fluff courses, I understand, because I think most NP students accept that those courses are just that - fluff. If you're talking about Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, etc, then what exactly is too easy? Not enough reading? Exams too basic?

Another question - which books are you using for pharm and patho? I've noticed that some programs use "nursing" textbooks for these classes. I think nursing textbooks are great for BSN programs, but I think NP programs should be using the medical school pathophys/pharm books.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Well, I am only part-time, so that may skew my opinion. I have not yet done clinicals, so I am speaking about didactic courses. I felt that the content has not been much more challenging than my undergrad courses. In one sense, I am relieved, since I work full time and have a family; on the other hand, I feel like I need to be "whipped into shape" in order to emerge a competent novice NP.

I really don't mean to compain-- my school is wonderful- supportive faculty, wonderful lecturers, etc. I guess I was just expecting something super-intense. I'm just curious to know if others feel similarly (or the exact opposite) about their progrms.

Thanks for the replies. :-)

Obviously comparing your program to mine, or any other one is like comparing apples to oranges, but having said that, I'll go ahead and start :) lol

I was talking with a couple of cohorts at my program and we were lamenting that in what I call the fluff courses, leadership, role of NP, etc., we didn't feel like we really learned much, we did alot of work, mostly paper writing, looking up articles to respond to forum postings, etc., but really learn anything, no, not much. Our program is heavily stacked with these courses at the beginning and the course I all science courses, patho, pharm, care of xxx, all after them. Those courses are where I had to study hard and learned things on a daily basis. So, I have no doubt that if your program is anything like mine, and you are in that early stage of the program, I would concur with that assessment of the program. If that's the case, and the POS has a list of the "science" courses coming up, then enjoy the slow period and get ready for the fun :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Hospice/Palliative Care.

Health Assessment in particular mystified me. We used the exact same textbook as for undergrad, and the tests were of a similar difficulty level (in my opinion). As a distance student, I don't regularly interact with my classmates to get their feedback. I haven't had what I would consider "fluff" classes yet, but certainly my biggest challenge (pharm) lies ahead. I guess I should count my blessings and await the upcoming "fun". :-)

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Health Assessment in particular mystified me. We used the exact same textbook as for undergrad and the tests were of a similar difficulty level (in my opinion). As a distance student, I don't regularly interact with my classmates to get their feedback. I haven't had what I would consider "fluff" classes yet, but certainly my biggest challenge (pharm) lies ahead. I guess I should count my blessings and await the upcoming "fun". :-)[/quote']

Bates?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Hospice/Palliative Care.

Yes indeed

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

It's the gold standard text; many medical shills use it as well.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Hospice/Palliative Care.

I can't complain about a gold-standard, can I? :cat:

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