New MSN student tips & tricks

mammac5 · Jun 15, 2011

About finding preceptors...

The first preceptor I had was from a place I used to to work. I had lots of contacts there and thought that could be a good situation. Wasn't.

The second rotation was at a specialty office I chose because I really wanted to learn more about that particular specialty. I called the practice manager, introduced myself, gave her a bit of info about what I was looking to do, and asked for her email address so I could send my resume and more info about my program. She was LOVELY about the whole thing and that turned into a great rotation with lots of friends and professional contacts made there.

The third rotation was a suggestion from my school, a practice they had a past contract with. I'm not sure how long ago that was or even which provider in the office had a student from my school. I called the practice manager again, gave her the low-down and asked for email to send my resume. Within 24 hours one of their providers agreed to take me. I did go to that office and follow the preceptor for 2 hours one day PRIOR to setting that as my site. Got burned on the first rotation and I wasn't going through that again! I've been at that site for 3 wks now and it's a great experience so far.

nurseaig, ASN, BSN, MSN, NP · Aug 4, 2011

Anyone graduating from SUNY Downstate FNP program?

nurseabby28 · Aug 7, 2011

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I start my first semester of FNP school in two weeks, and I'm SUPER excited/nervous. Keep all the good info coming!!!

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2011

Thank you all for the tips!! I start my ACNP program on 8/20 and I'm so nervous and anxious.

BTW...CONGRATULATIONS NURSEABBY28!!! I'm so glad you were accepted into a program for the fall. I'm so excited for you!!! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

nurseabby28 · Aug 8, 2011

Thanks, CCRNDiva!! It was purely happenstance that I applied to another program. I appreciate all your encouragement & wish you the best of luck in your program. Keep me posted on how things are going with you

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2011

You're welcome, NurseAbby28!! I'm so glad that you found another program to apply to for the fall. I was just returning the favor with the encouragement :loveya:. I will definitely keep in touch.

allnurses Guide · Aug 29, 2011

Be organized and ask for help early if you need it. Most of the professors want you to do well and will go out of their way to help you. If you get overwhelmed, talk to your school's counseling center - they are there to help you.

Agree re not getting behind. I am a BAD procrastinator, always have been. I really find it difficult to study even if I sit at my desk with my books in front of me, unless it's close to the due date. That doesn't work when you work full-time and have school part-time like I do, it's impossible. The sheer amount of paperwork, lecture material and reading you have to do is incredible. The best ways I have found to keep up:

1. Read the slides/handout/readings that are posted before the class so it sounds vaguely familiar at the lecture.

2. Make sure you print the handouts right before and take to the lecture. Sounds stupid, but lecturers often change them right before the class. Some students just take their laptops and read on there but I need paper.

2. Record the lectures if possible. Then actually listen to them! I find it handy to have them going in the car all the time.

3. Make sure to have a mark/highlight that you put on the handouts where the lecturers say "you should know this", "this is important", "I would know this for the test" etc.

4. Pay attention to the lecture. Again sounds stupid but it's amazing how many other (adult) students do online shopping, talk, text, play with their phones etc during class.

5. Soon after class (I took the night of my class off for a break and did it the next day), re-read your notes, and do whatever you do to study effectively eg. rewrite, summarize, make flash cards, highlight etc.

6. If you have a prof who gives you study guides, use them closely. If not, check your notes against the detailed syllabus that shows what you need to know at the end of the semester.

7. It is very tempting to focus your study on things you're familiar with. Don't do it. If I am experienced in a certain area and not in others, I choose the most unfamiliar area to study first. That way if I do start running out of study time, I only have to re-read stuff I already partially know.

Edit: Oh, couple more.

8. If you're working, take the opportunity to use the information you've learned in class and learn more. Eg. if you learn about renal function in class, check your patient's labs, fluid status, etc and mentally formulate a plan. Think about your current patients and do some differential diagnosis in your head. Read clinician notes, a lot of them - I learned a huge amount by reading other people's assessment and plan, and their medical decision making processes. You also learn what you like to read and what you don't like to read, so you can incorporate into your own notes at clinical.

9. Get through clinical. If you have a crazy preceptor who likes you to write in purple pen, do it. If they like you to recite the alphabet in the morning, do it. Kidding, but you get the picture. You may not do things the same way when you graduate, but do what you have to do to get through it. Spend more time with good preceptors and seek out learning opportunities.

missvictoriat · Aug 29, 2011

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I start my first semester of FNP school in two weeks, and I'm SUPER excited/nervous. Keep all the good info coming!!!

CONGRATS NURSEABBY28!!!!

I'm starting FNP school Sept 1st at TWU!! what school will you be attending?

missvictoriat · Aug 29, 2011

GREAT ADVICE, GHILLBERT!! THANKX A TON!!!

I'm nervous about starting school!! I'm taking Advanced Pathophys!