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Discussion

new APN

I have another question for all APN's out there. I'm a new grad APN and I will start working in a clinic with a doc in june. It could be several months until I actually have my license. I'm to start in the clinic as an RN. How did the mentoring process go for you all as newbies. Did you shadow a doc or APN? How long? How did you make yourself useful during the learning process?

I'm just concerned that I'll be in the way and the docs and PA will get tired of having me looking over their shoulder 24 hours a day for months on end.

Also, as a new APN without a license, did you see patients on your own and then have the doc sign behind you or did you strictly shadow?

Featured Replies

  • Expert

Congrats on your graduation. I graduated in May 06, started my position in July and orientation was 4 months long. Part of this was didactic with MDs and then job shadowing with other midlevels: both NPs and PAs since in my practice we do the same job. |

I didn't start until July because they required that I pass boards first. However, since I wasn't licensed until August and wasn't credentialled until Oct, I shadowed. In my practice, it wasn't worth it time-wise for me to see pts and then someone else see them also so I strictly shadowed. However, I can see where this might be warranted.

Good luck.

  • Author

Thank you, Trauma. Can you tell me more about what you did while shadowing?

  • Expert

I was allowed to examine pts, but that was it, no charting, no deciding on what treatment/plan of care.

  • Author

Thanks for sharing, Trauma! You've been very helpful.

I was allowed to examine pts, but that was it, no charting, no deciding on what treatment/plan of care.

Sounds almost like an ideal orientation. Just curious how was your input thought process expressed?? At the end of the four months was it like "poof" your are now a provider?

Orientation for me was; here is your office these are your charts your first patient is one his way :-)

  • Expert

LOL jd. I see most of my pts in the dialysis units and these companies are sssooooo HIPAA-ized (doubt thats a word) that I was not allowed on the computer system. My orientation was excellent: shadowing plus didactic with the MDs.

I work a second job in an ER and yes, I had to hit the ground running....

Because I'm in a specialty my orientation is 6 months working with an APN preceptor. Basically I do the H&P, we discuss the plan, and then gradually I do more of the paperwork, phone calls, Rx's and presenting the plan to the patient. It's a combination of learning the clinical part and also the system (like how do I walk the patient to social work or get an urgent nutrition referral).

One new patient per week becomes "mine" so I have a patient base when I'm done.

  • Expert

Viva - that sounds wonderful. I work with an APN in the HIV clinic here also because we share quite a few of the same pts.

Hi folks,

I will be graduating next month and am currently looking for a cardiology NP position. I was just wondering how many NPs out there actually got hired license pending? Also, how common is it for a private practice to do that? Do some NPs get hired before they take their boards? Do some practices pay for NPs to be oriented during this "waiting period" ?

I am just wondering because I don't know how interested employers will be in me without a license. At the same time, I do have an interview this monday with a private cardiology practice.

  • Author

To the previous poster:

I had 2 job offers before I even finished my last semester, and I wasn't even looking!! So yes, if you get your resume out there you they're will likely be offers. I'm starting my position Monday. I'm in the beginning stages of pursuing licensure. I still have to recieve my transcripts in the mail and submit my app. for testing. My employer knows it will be a while until I'm actually licensed. They told me they would rather I get started right away so that by the time I'm licensed I will already have learned the ropes and be ready to start taking on more responsibility. I also had some offers while I was in school to do clinicals and then step into an APN position after graduation. I already had my clinicals lined up so I couldn't take advantage of this. Anyway, based on my experience I think you should get your resume out there ASAP! Also, talk to the CNO where you work. He/she might be able to help you find a good fit.

  • Guides

Hi,

Like Emmy, I also had a job before I graduated. I will also be working license pending for a while, as my new employer wants me to be "ready to go" once I get all my credentials. I've sent in my application for the board exam, and hopefully I'll have that all done by end of July/beginning of August (maybe that's optimistic!). Many of my classmates were hired license pending, also. I think it's a great idea to get your resume out there ASAP. You have nothing to lose.

Good luck!!

Sometimes from graduation to testing to license can be measured in months (not weeks)... More than a few of my classmates had jobs prior to graduating. Three of them, I believe, did their final clinicals at their future site of employment.

One can't practice as an NP prior to licensure (pretty sure that law in all the states) but that does not stop some from using their RN license and "orientating"....

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