L&D nurse now FNP student

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Family medicine.

I am currently smack dab in the middle of my FNP degree after being a postpartum nurse for 3 years and labor and delivery nurse for 1 year. I graduated nursing school with acceptance to a Versant program, scholarships to pay off school and recommendations from the best professors and nurses. I went into postpartum and labor and delivery where I lost much of the knowledge that pertained to primary health. Now that I am in my FNP program, which focuses on clinic (vs my hospital experience) and primary care (vs obstetric care), I feel as though I am at starting from scratch. I love the case studies that we are getting, but feel as though I have to look EVERYTHING up. Nothing is coming natural. I even prescribed a lesser med for a UTI when I give patients Macrobid for them all of the time! I feel as though I have forgotten all the things I used to know. Anyone other FNP students feeling this way? Did it eventually click?

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i feel this way constantly. i have been locked away in a private specialty practice for nearly 2 decades and i have the same issues. sounds pretty normal though, and EVERYONE has these issues, because NO one student has specialized in ALL nursing areas...

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I'm a former L&D nurse working on my PNP. I feel your pain....but I'm finding that even those who worked in peds are finding areas where they are weak. I have times when I know all about what is being taught....and many times I'm clueless. The peds experienced nurses....are having many clueless moments as well.

I think we go in expecting to feel more comfortable than we do...and the we is everyone.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Looking everything up is just where you should be. This is your time to learn enjoy the process!

Many RNs assume they will know everything and coast through but this is never the case. It is a while now world, welcome.

Sent from my iPhone.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

One thing I've realized: just because it's done in practice doesn't mean it's technically right.

I've seen patients given cipro for respiratory issues...but it's not a respiratory quinolone. I've seen plenty of patients given Bactrim for UTI's but my review materials talk about how it's becoming less effective. I've seen steroids given to pneumonia patients but it's not indicated. Not to mention the hundreds of sinus infections that I've seen handed a script for antibiotics cause they've been sick 3 days.

I have worked with a more "general" population and I'm also having trouble separating what I've seen and what will help me pass my exam (and be a good NP of course). I can only imagine how you're feeling with OB background!! But yes we all share the feelings I think!!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

And you might go ahead and invest in review CD's. Those really break down the topics to help you understand better. I am enjoying Hollier right now. About to start my 3rd listen to the CD set and I feel much better about possibly winding up with a primary care job (my goal is cardiology).

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Family medicine.

Thank you everyone for explaining the ways that you relate. And anh06005, BSN, RN I just received the Barkley CDs. Enjoying them so far and yes they seem to break down the information into manageable nuggets.

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How is the final capstone project? I am a little worried. Do we have to review 5 case studies?

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