New NP...second-guessing diagnosis

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Hi,

I just completed my second day working as a NP; now I can't sleep because I keep second guessing myself (my diagnoses and treatment plans, etc.) and hoping I was correct. I am just wondering from the more experienced NPs out there if they ever had this feeling...and if so about how long did it take until you really felt comfortable with the role/responsibilities of being a practitioner? I am a little concerned that some doubt (in addition to the always present possibility of malpractice lawsuits, etc.) will always be there, which may make for a long and sleepless career!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Hi,

Congrats on your new job! I think you'll find that everyone felt the same way you're feeling now. I know I certainly did. I've been an NP for a year now, and I have a lot more confidence than I did on that first day. I did (and still do, but to a lesser extent) a lot of double checking, looking up of stuff, and I ask my co-workers a lot of questions. I would be concerned if you weren't nervous. This nervousness makes us take the extra steps to be sure that we're doing the right thing by our patients. It compels us to constantly learn and be better NPs. You will gain confidence as time goes by. I'm still a novice, but I'm worlds away from where I was 1 year ago. You will be too.

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All of my previous preceptors have said it takes FIVE years to really be comfortable! Congrats on passing boards and getting a job....Best of luck.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I graduated in May 2006 and I can speak from experience that it does get easier. Even now, I still look things up frequently (because medicine changes so much) but I also make an effort to keep current too in my specialty.

I just finished a peds CNS and am still very careful with the little ones and will always be probably since my pracctice is centered on adults.

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Been on the job two weeks now. I totally here where you are coming from! Since I'm on the thirty day thingy, fortunately someone is reviewing all my charts. So far so good!

Got a little wild one day with a two-pack in one room both with multiple problems but I made it through it!

If I just didn't have the darn computer to figure out on top of the assessing and diagnosing it would be a lot easier. Back to work tomorrow. Every week-end I get scared all over again!

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Specializes in Emergency, MCCU, Surgical/ENT, Hep Trans.

I read more now than I did in school! CME is a blessing in disguise, stay on top of it ;)

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