New Grad Butterflies

Nurse Maru · May 29, 2012

I think it's a much more worrisome thing to find any kind of new grad who professes absolute confidence than one who is worried. Worry is good. Worry makes you proceed with due caution instead of arrogance.

How about leaving Florida if they don't treat APNs well? I'm leaving my state (NE) for that very reason as soon as I'm done with my DNP.

How can you overcome this? Time and experience. That's the only way I know.

reddgirl · May 30, 2012

Thanks Nurse Maru! My husband and I have discussed a possible move out of Miami. I know that these feelings will soon subside with practice but I just don't like the feeling. Well I guess there is nothing left to do but focus on boards and get that out of the way first. :yeah:

Hello all,
I am new to this blog but have followed and got useful information from here many of times. I am in my last semester of FNP school at BU and I am really catching a bad case of the new grad butterflies. I am preparing for my boards now as I type but my worries stem from becoming a new FNP. I worry constantly day and night about having newly adopted autonomy with treating patients. My biggest fear is missing a condition or under treating a patient. I guess you can say that I lack confidence in my new position I am soon to acquire. I guess I feel this way because Florida doesn't really treat their Advanced Practice Nurses with much respect. How can I over come this feeling?

Aongroup1990, CNA · May 30, 2012

Sometimes it helps asking questions to all of your problems because if you hold things inside it will make you worry and feel inferior even more. try taking some notes and ask the questions to a teacher or any nursing students with whatever your concerns are...

reddgirl · Jun 1, 2012

I love to ask questions and I have learned that the most helpful and enthusiastic preceptors were the nurse practitioner ones. I have plenty of telephone numbers that I can consult if my brain starts to fry. I am just considering moving out of South Florida altogether because it is horrible down here with jobs and lack of respect of nurses period! Florida and Alabama clearly are behind the rest as far as controlled substances privileges. Just insane! :nono:

Trauma Columnist · Jun 1, 2012

Some things to do:

1. For your first job, ensure that you have an adequate, written out plan for orientation. I'm still with my first APN job (6 years now) and I had 5 months of orientation, both didactic and clinical with both APNs/PAs and MDs.

2. Since APNs must produce x-amt of revenue, have it written into your contract a stepped-up increase in the number of pts seen. For instance, the first month after orientation, you will see say 5 pts/day, the second month 7pts/day, etc..

3. Have a resource person in the office/clinic/practice that you can go to with questions. Make friends with this person - lol!

4. Ask questions. If something doesn't feel right, don't do it - stop and get a second opinion.

(I have to say that I didn't follow my own advice and as a result had a very very difficult first year out in practice).

Good luck!

Tinabeanrn · Jun 1, 2012

I think TraumasRUS gave you some awesome advice. I would add to pray and not to be too hard on yourself. No your limits and weaknesses and strenghten them by continued study and practice. Im just starting out too but I feel so happy and so ready. I think if you find a job you like and will learn at then that will help. Thanks for the good advice everyone, I appreciate it as well ;')

reeya · Jun 2, 2012

Hmm...let me pass first !!

@Tina, I know you got job but did you start already? wow !! Everything is happening so fast for you. I am still studying..LOL

Tinabeanrn · Jun 2, 2012

I start at the begining of July. Cant even wait. I am still looking for other jobs too though..just incase.