Six months until NP school begins -- What to do until then?

Hey everyone ;

I'm starting NP school in September at MGH (Boston). Does anyone have advice on what to do to prepare for the next six months? Books to read, stuff to get, things to do? I've not had much luck at getting CNA training in time to be useful, but I volunteer in the ED at the Brigham and Women's hospital for some exposure.

I'm feeling dangerously unprepared even to begin school-any advice you might have would be awesome.

Thank you

; Dave

I was a December BSN grad and started NP school the following September. In between I got a job as an RN. After 6 months of FT I was done orienting and comfortable, so once NP school started I dropped to PT (12 hr shifts weekends) and kept that through most of school. The work experience was valuable - just being on my own and responsible for patients. It also helped with expenses while I was in school.

Is there a reason you can't get a job as an RN, especially if you are feeling unprepared? It will teach you more than any book. Is this a direct entry program?

I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough. I'm entering a direct entry accelerated MSN program that includes a RN. Over the next three+ years or so I will get an RN and then an MSN for Family NP.

Before even beginning anything, I'm looking to get started. Books to read, equipment to purchase and practice with, stuff like that.

Try Medical Surgical nursing by Lewis or an advanced patho physiology textbook -I don't know of one that is better than any other.

Try to get a job in an ER as a tech -not CNA

Good Luck

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I would use the time to relax and enjoy your family & friends - you won't get much of it once you're in school!!

I agree:

Find out the Medical Surgical Nursing by Lewis and/or Advanced Patho-phys textbook you will be using and do some lite reading ...

I really agree:

Also relax and enjoy your family & friends - you won't get much of it once you're in school!!

Thanks guys!

Did we mention stay calm have fun.....

Hi, Dave,

How is your knowledge of statistics? I assume you will have a graduate level stats class. You might want to think about taking a stats class at the local community college or online somewhere, to reacquaint you. I did that, and it was very helpful.

Oldiebutgoodie

Nursing Against the Odds by Suzanne Gordon

Anything by Suzanne Gordon

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Best Advice:

Don't read or study anything. Enjoy your 6 months before school. For the next 3 years, your life will be a studying, paper-writing, clinical-performing hell. Enjoy the break while it lasts.

[patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough. I'm entering a direct entry accelerated MSN program that includes a RN. Over the next three+ years or so I will get an RN and then an MSN for Family NP.

Before even beginning anything, I'm looking to get started. Books to read, equipment to purchase and practice with, stuff like that.

How long is your program ?

How long is the RN /BSN portion

How long is the MSN portion.

Ive never been a big fan of direct NP programs

but thats just me.

yea I think its a great idea to work as a nurse aid

before you embark on your goals. It will make you appreciate

working as a Rn more and as a NP more

[tuckers19]

I agree with everyone who says enjoy the time. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started my BSN or MSN program.

Personally for me, I wish I would have taken a review course before my clinicals started for the NP program. I had worked as an RN for about a 2 years, but personally I think it would have helped out a lot.

[lifelong]

Hi there,

How excited you must be! I know in all probability relaxing and taking time with your family and friends isn't likely going to happen. I suggest getting a handle on physical assessment is a safe starting point. A book like Bates is an excellent choice. Being able to perform a head to toe assessment is going to be critical and that skill that takes time to develop. Bates has an assessment and history taking book I think around $30. But be careful...don't spend too much money on books before starting your program...these can get pretty expensive. Possibly locate the current book list from the school and see if there is a physical assessment book recommendation.

If you can get a position in the ER or hospital that would be advantageous so you better understand the patient flow, processes and have some credibility when you graduate.

Hope this helps.

Tracey

[Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C]

I'm entering a direct entry accelerated MSN program that includes a RN. Over the next three+ years or so I will get an RN and then an MSN for Family NP.

Before even beginning anything, I'm looking to get started. Books to read, equipment to purchase and practice with, stuff like that.

Wow, 3 years from nothing to RN and FNP? You might want to start by learning vital signs, like how to check a pulse and blood pressure and what not. To tell you the truth, I really wouldn't know where to start. That just blows me away how they can take someone without any experience as a RN and expect someone to operate at an APRN (advance practice registered nurse) level in 3 years time. Is that right, or am I misreading something?

I donno. We'll see what happens. Why don't you ask on the advance practice message boards, the professional associations, the hundreds of schools seeking out direct entry students, as well as all the existing NPs and PAs. But, I appreciate your sarcasm and complete lack of help in furthering the thread. In addition to that, I share some of your implied concern.

Edited Mar 7, 2009 by pugdaddy

[Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C]

I donno. We'll see what happens. Why don't you ask on the advance practice message boards, the professional associations, the hundreds of schools seeking out direct entry students, as well as all the existing NPs and PAs. But, I appreciate your sarcasm and complete lack of help in furthering the thread. In addition to that, I share some of your implied concern.

Actually I was not trying to be sarcastic, just realistic. After 20 years of being in the health care field and being so close to graduation myself, it bothers me related to how much I have not been exposed, have not seen and how I rely on those years of experience to get me through my days. To conceptualize going from baseline to a place where I would be responsible for the primary health care needs of people spanning the life cycle in three years makes my brain hurt. To that end, I would really have no clue how you would prepare.

[Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C]

I donno. We'll see what happens. Why don't you ask on the advance practice message boards, the professional associations, the hundreds of schools seeking out direct entry students, as well as all the existing NPs and PAs. But, I appreciate your sarcasm and complete lack of help in furthering the thread. In addition to that, I share some of your implied concern.

Also, if i was trying to be sarcastic, I would of had advised that you get a copy of Harrison's, 17th Edition and cover the first 2700 pages or so within the 392 chapters. Then when your done with that you could move on to some light reading for OB and Peds.