Otoscope/Opthalmoscope Required for NP program?

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The University of Pennsylvania school of nursing requires NP students to purchase/provide their own oto/opthalmoscopes for home/clinical practice. Does your school have the same requirement for NP students? (if so, what school do/did you attend?)

Thanks!

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

I'm not sure yet, as I still need to pay my enrollment fee before I get all the rest of the info for school. (I"ll be attending Simmons), however, I have seen some on Amazon and Ebay for decent prices. I was considering just buying one for home anyway to practice on my kids and hubby as needed LOL. =)

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Specializes in Emergency.

It was not required by my school. We had to have access to one, so most of us worked out an arrangement with our employer to use one when needed. There is nothing wrong with purchasing one, but if you are still working you can probably practice enough with one at your work to become proficient.

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I go to Stockton. We did not need to purchase these as the clinical sites generally have them. I bought a cheap one on ebay for practice, but really I just use the ones at the office. The only equipment I bring is my stethoscope, although having a pen light, scissors, and reflex hammer in my pocket is often useful.

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I will be starting Georgetown University FNP program in January adn from what I understand we do have to purchase an oto/opthalmoscope also. Best of Luck!

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

My school gave us a set to use for advanced physical assessment and our first clinical then we had to return them. I ended up buying my own set because some of my clinical sites did not have them available. The providers had their own and i felt bad asking my preceptor for hers all the time when i was seeing patients.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

Our program loaned them out, but I have my own: Welch Allyn Pocket set. The otoscope is great, and I didn't need much practice, but the opthalmoscope is HARD to use anyway, and a pint size one doesn't make it easier. I would suggest ebay for a used one. and if you can swing it, try to get some practice using a panoptic opthalmoscope. It'll change the way you think about fundoscopic exam.

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Our program required an otoscope for FNP and PNP students only, not adult. No opthalmoscope was required.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

University of Memphis here. Advanced Health Assessment requires an oto/ophthlamoscope set. I don't really get why. They should be available from the school as well as available at whatever clinic we work in.

But, whatever. Just another hoop to jump through, ya know? Besides, it might come in handy at home. I don't see myself lugging it around to clinic in the real world, unless I'm doing some sort of home visit gig.

Here's a pretty awesome set on Amazon for $50. It includes oto and ophthalmo as well as a few other attachments: Amazon.com: Ophthalmoscope Otoscope ENT Diagnostic Set: Health & Personal Care

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