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Hello! I'm a brand new Family NP, starting my new job next month (ohmygoodness )! I know there is no complete all-in-one reference, but I'm looking for the BEST guideline reference that I can have glued to my side for my first year. I absolutely LOVE UpToDate, but there's a LOT of information to sort through. Also, it's very time-consuming to log into this resource at my work. I have also used various apps for quick reference (SkyScape/Omnio, Epocrates). Even though computer and phone-based resources are frequently updated, they're just not the same as as a good, old-fashioned, dog-eared and highlighted book... For printed books, I am leaning towards Uphold & Graham's 2013 Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. However, I am also considering Cash's 2014 Family Practice Guidelines. I have never used either of them. I feel a bit guilty for not wanting to use UpToDate for everything, but it just doesn't seem as practical as other options. I am also significantly concerned that printed options may not be updated on many important topics. So, I'm asking for your help. What do you use? What is your #1, go-to resource? What are your thoughts on resources you have used? Printed versus phone/computer-based? Any suggestions for this very green family NP? I would kindly appreciate any and all advice, tips, feedback, or experiences you may have to share! Thank you SO much! :)

Thank you all so much for your feedback! It was so helpful! And because of all of your supportive and positive feedback... (drum roll please...) I BOUGHT IT! I am super excited, and I can't wait for it to arrive! :)

Thank you guys for your input so far! I really appreciate it! This link will send you to picture of the scope, so it might help to clarify exactly what I'm looking at (you may need to click on the little black/multi-colored square to change the color): Littmann Cardiology III 27" Stethoscope | allheart.com

Hi, friends! I'm looking into purchasing a Littman Cardiology III with black tubing and a rainbow chestpiece, but I'm concerned that the multi-colored chestpiece might be too "loud" for professional clinicals (pun intended :)). I'm nervous that more traditional MDs/NPs, or even patients, may think of a multi-colored stethoscope as unprofessional. I'm a FNP student, and I'm getting ready to start hands-on clinicals this summer (yay!). I'll be working with various NPs and MDs in my area, and I'm hoping to make connections that will assist me in my future search for NP employment. I know stethoscope color is a completely trivial detail and ideally shouldn't matter at all. However, I'm just not a plain person, and I can't bring myself to spend $150+ on a traditional black scope that everyone else has. A definite benefit of purchasing this scope would be its uniqueness among others (so hopefully it wouldn't walk away as easily). I know this is kind of crazy...am I worrying too much? Would you consider buying a fun stethoscope for professional clinicals, or would you steer clear of anything that might be deemed immature? I sincerely appreciate your feedback! :)

I'm beginning my FNP program in May (yay!), and I am projected to finish my last semester in Spring 2015. I have also been thinking about the future DNP requirements. I know that having DNP is not required by CCNE at this point, but I can't find any conclusive documentation on (a) when it will likely be required, and (b) what my future will look like as a FNP. I know there is always the option of going back for a DNP at some point in my future, but how soon will that be required? If I finish my FNP in Spring 2015, will I need to finish my DNP prior to sitting for boards? Or will there be time to practice as a FNP prior to needing the DNP? Since getting accepted to the program, my head has been spinning, and I just don't want to make the wrong decision. I feel like there has to be some sort of concrete documentation for the plans of DNP requirements. I just don't want my time spent on a FNP to be wasted... Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read my post. :)