New FNP Tips

Hello all!

I am a new FNP graduate, and just starting to practice at a family medicine office. I was wondering of anyone had any tips/tricks for a new NP grad, or for someone in family medicine just starting out.

I am specifically looking for things that have worked for anyone in making their life easier as a new NP.

One thing that I have done is make a referral notebook. I am new to the area that I am practicing in, and I really do not know the best specialists to refer my patients to. I have started collecting cards and putting them in a notebook based on specialty.

I have thought about putting together a notebook of current guidelines, on topics that I see frequently in family medicine (e.g. asthma).

I don't want to waste time on something that doesn't work, so would love to hear from anyone that has a suggestion about something that does work, and has made their life easier!

Amber

Here are my tidbits of advice that either helped me or I have heard in feedback from former students have helped them transition into practice.

1. Establish an on-site mentor who is available to support you. Having another experienced provider is the most important part of novice practice. This needs to be someone you feel comfortable asking anything, someone willing to discuss cases with you, and someone you have no problem asking a "stupid/silly" question of.

2. Engage in reflective practice. Spend some time each day thinking about decisions you made, mistakes you made, and research how to better approach those choices. Call patients back 2 days after you see them and ask if they have any questions, comments, or concerns. Read the consult notes after referrals and see how the specialist handled the case. Call the specialists and discuss cases you don't understand.

3. Acknowledge that you are human. You are a novice, your are still learning, and you will make mistakes. This is a humbling business, don't tear yourself down for being human.

4. Practice like you are human. Remember cases aren't always text-book, and sometimes the right answer for the patient isn't the right answer in the text book. It's ok to be human. And it is a customer service business at times.

5. Invest in a resource like UpToDate that you have instant access to and also gives you CMEs.

6. Listen. I can't stress how important it is to listen, actually listen, to patients. They know themselves or their family best. If something isn't "right" then trust that is true and work to find and answer.

7. Over order. Your first two years of practice you will order more diagnostics tan you need. That's ok, you can use results to tailor your future practice (see "reflective practice"). If you think about it. Order it.

8. Start slow. Start as slow as your practice will let you! The more time you have to spend with patient and with your reflective practice the better your foundation will be!

Best of luck.

Thank you so much for the great advice! It is definitely overwhelming at times, and anything helps. I was wondering about getting UpToDate. I will definitely look into getting it. I have used it as a student, but don't have access anymore.

Do you recommend an organization to join? I know I am behind in not being a part of one. I want something that offers or provides information on seminars that I can attend. I'm sure they all offer that, but that's specifically what I need.

Again, thank you for your response and advice!

In my opinion, UpToDate is worth the investment because of the fact it is both a resource and a CME generator.

Probably the best organization to join as you start practice is the AANP, they have both a state and a national presence, and hold a number of conferences per year. Additionally you can get discounts on malpractice insurance and they publish a monthly journal.

Good luck.

Our practice furnishes us with a subscription. If you have to pay for it, its tax deductible.