Published
I am completing my FNP degree, and I have done clinicals in our local Level 1 trauma center ED, with the Docs and midlevels, you see a lot of primary care in the ED's, becasue people have no other options, my course director was fine with me doing clinical hours here and as an added bonus, I got a whole lot of practice with all my skills.ie suturing, I&D, xrays, splinting etc
I would say for one rotation it would be ok - but as far as far as becoming a primary care NP, you really need to do most of your clinicals in a primary care area (internal med or family practice office, for example) so that you have the opportunity to do follow-up on the patients you see in the office. Also, treatment plans vary greatly from the ED setting to the primary care setting, since the ED docs usually refer patient back to their PCPs if it is not an acute problem.
I cannot speak for the adult/gero primary care but I did graduate from the USA FNP program in Dec 2010. We were only allowed to do ED as an elective area during our last semester. This was limited to a certain # of hours, but you could do extra hours if you wanted once the minimum requirements of the family courses were met.
From talk among students, it is my understanding that each program seems to be run a little differently, so who knows what adult/gero might do!
...you really need to do most of your clinicals in a primary care area (internal med or family practice office, for example) so that you have the opportunity to do follow-up on the patients you see in the office. also, treatment plans vary greatly from the ed setting to the primary care setting, since the ed docs usually refer patient back to their pcps if it is not an acute problem.
100% agree. if i ever decide to teach fnp school, i'll severely limit the er time folk's request (or try and get them interested in a more suitable alternative). i worked er for years, and we always said "follow up with your pcm". now if that your treatment plan all day for every patient as a student, how on earth are you going to know what to do in the clinic as that pts pcm when he does follow-up?
My email is [email protected]. Email me and I'll give you my phone #. patho so far has been quit time consuming and we are only on test 3 out of 7. We should definitely keep in touch!
Dana
danceswithsnakes
37 Posts
I have a personal relationship with an emergency room physician who I think I could learn a lot from (he oversees a chest pain urgent clinic). I am in a program to become an Adult/Gero primary care NP. I haven't asked the school yet (University of South Alabama) but do you think this would be acceptable?