Struggling no experience NP need guidance

Guest1144461 · Jul 22, 2022

Such is the life of a NP with 500 clinical hours. This is NP job life in general unless you do a formal residency where they expect to just mold you regardless of experience. These jobs want a product, MDs don't understand you aren't forged ready to go out for training like they are.

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Jul 23, 2022

Above poster is right. 500 clinical hours, online for profit programs with minimal oversight and 1000s of students per class, half the credits used on fluff role transition courses instead of hard sciences, no hands on labs or skills courses. The NP profession is killing itself.

OP - look into a residency program. These yearlong programs pick up the slack and turn us into functioning providers where the school and accrediting bodies fail us.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Aug 3, 2022

It's unfortunate that this position appears to be a particularly challenging one for a new NP. I agree with the posters above that a residency is a very good option, but not everyone has the ability to attend one, so a solid orientation is an important aspect of the job for anyone starting out. Are there any other NPs in the organization that you could seek out as a mentor? Do you have a supportive person anywhere in your support line that you could talk with about the challenges? Wish I had some specific clinical advice for you, I wish you the best of luck!

Trauma Columnist · Aug 4, 2022

Solid orientations are necessary for successful student to practice. When I became an APRN in 2006, I had approx 5 months of orientation - it took that long to get credentialed at all the hospitals and dialysis units anyway. It was very clinically focused with didactic as well as shadowing experiences.

whitehat · Aug 5, 2022

Start seeking a better position with more support/nicer people to work with while you are there learning. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself against these bullies. You didn't get this far being an idiot, you can and will learn how to do this job. Make it your own until you can get out of there or are able to teach them how to treat you. Figure out what is most important to focus on each day and keep telling yourself that everday you are learning and getting better. Talk to everyone there you can to seek information, refer back to your job description. It took me prob at least a year to feel confident. Now I am with almost 3 years experience and finally feeling competent LOL.

Tegridy · Aug 6, 2022

On 7/13/2022 at 6:43 PM, KRNNP1123 said:

Hi I don't know even know where to start...I'm feeling lost.

I finally took an offer after 2 yrs graduating from NP school. I had to hold off on my NP to care for a sick family. I took a a position that is a newly created NP role, a spine clinical NP navigator. I would be the first one ever to fill this role. I am now realizing the heaviness of it. There's no one guiding me, I am learning on my own. It's my second week I am in the neurosurgery then will spend time in pain management and ER. I wasn't told about the ER until I signed up for the position. When I asked for clarification pretty much they said I would just need to build a relationship with the MD in the ER for PT's that comes in for spine issues and follow up on them to ensure they get the care they need. I am feeling overwhelmed and lost. It's taking me some time to get it. When does PT see neurosurgery and when it's okay to just refer them for pain management. I feel like I made a mistake for jumping on this role. Not only it's been a while since I graduated from NP, I have not had any work NP experience at all. I Also the person I'm with is not very supportive. I understand they expecting a lot but the person doesn't need to be super rude or make me feel stupid when I ask questions or when I don't know. They knew upfront that I have no prior experience and was fine with it.

Seeking some guidance and does anyone have any experience as a clinical NP navigator?

Two years off is a lot. Most medical residencies won’t take someone with a two year gap. Skill atrophy. I’m not sure what the role of a spine navigator is. It sounds fairly novel, niche, and like it would require a specific set of knowledge likely not obtained in general NP pa or even medical studies.

Guest1144461 · Aug 9, 2022

On 8/6/2022 at 10:56 AM, Tegridy said:

Two years off is a lot. Most medical residencies won’t take someone with a two year gap. Skill atrophy. I’m not sure what the role of a spine navigator is. It sounds fairly novel, niche, and like it would require a specific set of knowledge likely not obtained in general NP pa or even medical studies.

I mean we have transplant navigators that are RNs. Depends on what the role is. Could be algorithm-driven, a simple screening position or post-op f/u.

TBH the job she/he describes doesn't sound that intensive, what's driving her anxiety is the time gap and the fact NP school spends zero time on specific spine related issues.

Tegridy · Aug 9, 2022

14 hours ago, Numenor said:

I mean we have transplant navigators that are RNs. Depends on what the role is. Could be algorithm-driven, a simple screening position or post-op f/u.

TBH the job she/he describes doesn't sound that intensive, what's driving her anxiety is the time gap and the fact NP school spends zero time on specific spine related issues.

yeah usually navigators are just glorified organ specific triage people. at least the roles I have heard of. but we don't rly have all the info on what this job entails so who knows