Soon to start Clinicals need tips!

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Hello All,

So I am going to start clinical rotations in the FAll semester and am feeling nervous! I know that in the beginning we are going to learn and it's going to be awkward, etc. BUT I have heard stories where preceptors are expecting a lot from you though you don't know it...

Therefore my question to NP students that have been through clinical is: What are some good resources to use during clinical? MY clinical is going to be for differential diagnosis and is my first one.

How do I try my best to impress the preceptor and not only that but get the most knowledge out of the clinical?

IN primary care things can be very general……therefore,,,,more broad = harder! Not a focused thing so I am willing to study before I get there but the question lies what resources could I use before and use during the actual clinical?

Have your preceptors in clinical been encouraging and love to teach or kind of irritated at you?

Thank you!!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Know the most common diagnoses seen! Sinusitis, bronchitis, UTI, back pain, etc. it's pretty easy to come up with some differentials beforehand even and then tailor it to your patient based on presentation and such.

Also for use later I JUST got this little book a few weeks ago and I love it! Plus it's less than $20. There have been some lab where I don't really know where to go next based on the results but this little thing makes me feel like a pro.

Clinician's Guide to Laboratory Medicine: Pocket: 9780972556187: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com

Each preceptor will be different and not all will follow guidelines. Now is the time for you to figure out what you want to do as a NP when you get out.

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Wow thanks for this great tip!!!!! I never even thought that far diagnostically…….I appreciate you sharing this source!!!!

I guess I could google top common diagnosis and at least start triggering my brain..I feel I have the luxury not to work and I should allocate my time appropriately.

Are there any resources that you know of for the actual diagnosis or maybe not a book but just anything that would help me ? I am nervous..:)

Thanks again

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

What do you mean by the diagnosis?

The CDC has info for common diagnostic criteria for sinusitis, bronchitis, etc. as well as treatment. The AHA has guided for HTN, lipids, etc. there's plenty of free resources that are handy for the most current guidelines.

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Specializes in med-surg.

I'm also starting clinicals in the fall and my school requires us to buy the Lexicomp app. It has drug information and a clinical diagnosis tool that's suppose to be helpful. I'm waiting on a discount code from my coordinator before I buy it so I haven't used it yet but maybe you can look into that! To prepare myself I also bought the Maria Leik review book to study and I love it so far. It breaks down everything from pharmacology and by each system. It's also a great way to start preparing for your boards! I found a great deal on Amazon. Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I use Lexi-Comp also. I didn't really start using 5 minute clinical consult often until recently.

And Leik is an awesome book. Some weird stuff that isn't QUITE 100% now but overall a solid A. I also loved her book because it touched briefly on so many topics where the reviews go over a few topics more in depth.

Just try to learn as much as you can. And try to do PROCEDURES. If there's several providers there ask them to try to think of you with procedures. I wish I had gotten more in school but I'm finally to the point "if I numb them up enough I can do about anything."

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Specializes in med-surg.
And Leik is an awesome book. Some weird stuff that isn't QUITE 100% now but overall a solid A. I also loved her book because it touched briefly on so many topics where the reviews go over a few topics more in depth."

Yes! I've read in the reviews that there are several mistakes relating to the content but you can easily find which questions they are by doing a google search. So far I like the book! I think it'll come in useful in preparing for clinicals.

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Know the most common diagnoses seen! Sinusitis, bronchitis, UTI, back pain, etc. it's pretty easy to come up with some differentials beforehand even and then tailor it to your patient based on presentation and such.

Also for use later I JUST got this little book a few weeks ago and I love it! Plus it's less than $20. There have been some lab where I don't really know where to go next based on the results but this little thing makes me feel like a pro.

Clinician's Guide to Laboratory Medicine: Pocket: 9780972556187: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com

Each preceptor will be different and not all will follow guidelines. Now is the time for you to figure out what you want to do as a NP when you get out.

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