Just Wondering

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

Ok...... so.... I'm almost done with my first clinical class towards my FNP. God willing I'll be done in May of next year. Just to put it out there am I alone in feeling like there are not many books that are geared toward NP's? It's difficult because all books are geared towards Medical Students and residents and FNP students are neither. Just wanted to know what others did and how they coped. I feel like I'm in limbo and don't like feeling tht wya. For Peds which was my first rotation I purchased the Harriet Lane, I purchased Blueprints Pediatrics and first exposure pediatrics. I like these books but as already mentioned they are geared towards the MD's and not the NP's. Just want to know how others feel and any pointers or advice that they can give me. I have been fortunate that my preceptor who is an MD is willing to teach and is very knowledgeable so it hasn't been a factor.

Thanks all for answering.

Xos4eva :)

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I'm not sure what you're saying the problem is. When I was in my graduate program, our main textbook was the standard medical textbook in my specialty area (I'm a CNS, not an NP, for what that's worth). Those textbooks are already out there, and we're supposedly being trained to provide many of the same diagnostic and clinical services that physicians in the specialty area are -- why would there be a need for additional textbooks, that provide the same info but are written "for" nursing grad students? The content is the content ...

I'm not trying to be argumentative or critical; I just don't understand what it is that you feel is the problem when you say the books "aren't geared toward NPs."

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Our textbooks are the same as the med school for that specialty as well.

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I agree with Elkpark. I hadn't responded earlier because I was trying to figure out a way to communicate my opinion without sounding rude or argumentative. Pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment and treatments guidelines do not differ between NPs, PAs, and MDs. As NPs we incorporate the therapeutic communication and nursing process learned in undergrad programs into our practice, but NP school seems more about learning assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of MEDICAL conditions so it stands to reason that books intended for MDs would be appropriate for us too!

As an added bonus, I like being able to say "Well, Harrison's (or Nelson's or whoever) indicates...." without a doctor ever thinking "my" reference material is inferior.

Please elaborate if we are misunderstanding your question.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

There are no misunderstandings. I just feel at times that the textbooks provide the knowledge we need but dont give us tips or insight into NP's way of thinking. I was looking at books for resident's and etc... and we don't have those "adjuncts" I agree with using Nelson's and Harrison's and love the fact that we are learning how to diagnose the medical while still holding onto the Nursing aspect of care. What I'm talking about is maybe is just some NP to NP tips and things like that. For example Step-UP Series, the Blueprints Series, etc.... I mean on the nursing level we see the Nursing Made Incredibely Easy series and the Lippincott Review Series, etc... but then there is the gap between RN-NP. I'm sorry if I'm coming off as slow or anything like that.

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As an added bonus, I like being able to say "Well, Harrison's (or Nelson's or whoever) indicates...." without a doctor ever thinking "my" reference material is inferior.

Good point! I also think that using the standard texts in a specialty "levels the playing field" somewhat, to our benefit. APNs face enough suspicion from physicians that our education isn't sufficient for us to be providing mid-level care to people without our having separate, "watered down" (as some physicians would certainly argue) textbooks. It strengthens our position and credibility to be educated from the same sources/textbooks as our colleagues, IMHO.

As far as the nursing "way of thinking" -- I didn't see that as an issue in my grad program because I came to the program with years of experience as an RN. Are you (the OP) maybe in a direct entry program? Is the nursing perspective new to you? That, I can see, could be a big issue ...

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The one book that was most helpful to me in school was Uphold & Graham's Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

No I'm ont a direct entry RN. I have been a nurse for 7 years and have worked in various areas

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I'd take a look at some advanced practice/nurse practitioner clinical guidelines/protocol books. There are some by various authors for different specialties, and you can often find current editions (gently used) on Amazon. I also mentioned in another post my favorite pharm book-Pharmacology for Primary Care Practitioners" by Edmunds and Mayhew. The authors are NPs and the book is organized very logically and efficiently.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

BC thanks for that suggestion am totally gonna get the pharmacology book. My Dipiro text is awesome but so big and bulky, maybe this will be an easier read. :)

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