New NP student: need encouragement

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Hi,

So I am in my final year of graduate school and finished my first 2 weeks of clinical, and just feeling really incompetent.. I prepare and have an idea of what questions I need to ask, and then I go in and I guess I'm just too nervous and I forget things in the history and physical..my preceptor said I say "umm.." wayyy to much and that it looks like I don't know what I'm doing...I do well in my classes but having a hard time translating it to practice I guess..so I could really use some encouragement!

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Hi,

So I am in my final year of graduate school and finished my first 2 weeks of clinical, and just feeling really incompetent.. I prepare and have an idea of what questions I need to ask, and then I go in and I guess I'm just too nervous and I forget things in the history and physical..my preceptor said I say "umm.." wayyy to much and that it looks like I don't know what I'm doing...I do well in my classes but having a hard time translating it to practice I guess..so I could really use some encouragement!

We all go through growing pains with this new role. Everyone learns and practices differently. It could be possible that your preceptor is not the correct fit for you? Has your preceptor had NP students in the beggining stages of clinicals as you are? Do you have pocket reference cards? Do you practice on your own with friends and family? Does your preceptor allow you time with the pt before the two of you go in the room together? When doing the H&P just think of the body system that the chief complaint is about, basic questions regarding the complaint, when it started, what helps, what makes it worse, has it happened before, more in depth questions about the symptoms/surrounding circumstances, etc., then start your exam with the organ system above where the actual complaint is. Do you have specific examples you want to share? Feel free to PM if needed.

We all have felt incompetent at times. Just yesterday I felt dumb when my collaborating MD asked me some anatomy questions I didn't have the answer to, I knew my treatment plan but my PE was more limited than his and my documentation was more limited than his. I have been an NP for 4.5 years and an RN for almost 13.

Just know things will get easier like anything else, practice makes perfect or close to it!

Keep us posted and best wishes, you will be fine.:wink2:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Pedi.

Well, I am in the VERY beginning of FNP school. I am feeling discouraged as well. I had to drop my advanced pathophysiology last semester because I was on the borderline. I wonder if I can take it somewhere else and have it transferred into my school. Our only instructor for the entire program is impossible. For me, anyhow.

I cannot retain information as well. I am 35 and feel like I have the mind of an 85 year old. Since you are second year maybe you can feel me in on how to make 1st year. Sigh.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Well, I am in the VERY beginning of FNP school. I am feeling discouraged as well. I had to drop my advanced pathophysiology last semester because I was on the borderline. I wonder if I can take it somewhere else and have it transferred into my school. Our only instructor for the entire program is impossible. For me, anyhow.

I cannot retain information as well. I am 35 and feel like I have the mind of an 85 year old. Since you are second year maybe you can feel me in on how to make 1st year. Sigh.

Is it possible that you can reduce your work schedule so you will have more study time? Also it wouldn't hurt to check with your school about taking the Advanced patho somewhere else.

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