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Discussion

Studying during NP program

Hi everyone,

I'm planning on starting the FNP program in the fall and I was hoping for some input to a few questions.

1) Would current NP's recommend studying for the NP boards right away? For example start studying for boards during the first semester. If not, how have others studied for the FNP boards?

2) How many hours do you think is appropriate to work during the program? Full time? 30 hours a week? Less than 30 hours a week?

3) I'm nervous about being appropriately placed in clinicals. Anyone have any ideas about securing above average clinical instructors? Where to look, for example private clinics, university affiliated clinics, that kind of thing.

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    Hi,

    Congrats on starting NP school. I wouldn't worry about studying for boards just yet. Focus on your classes and clinicals. I did buy a study guide and used it as a supplement to my books and notes while I was in school, but not with the intent of studying for the boards at that time.

    I went to school full time and worked every other weekend 3-11. That really was all I could manage. Most of my cohort (the full time students) didn't work at all. Will you be going to school part time or full time?

    Clinicals can be a crap shoot. Do you have to find your own or does the school set them up? My school found our placements and mine were great. These were sites that had been used for several years and many of the preceptors were alumni of my program. If you have to find your own, then I'm sorry. Programs shouldn't put that burden on the student. Start looking now. You're going to have to make a lot of phone calls and pound some pavement. Talk to your PCP-see if he/she knows anyone who takes students. Call a nearby college and see if you can do a rotation in their health service. Community health centers often take students, and they can give you an amazing learning experience.

    Best of luck to you.

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    Congrats. Don't worry about the boards. They'll come. Mine were crap anyway and had nothing I would have ever guessed to study.

    Work full-time if you like. A lot of people do. Just get a job you can get away from or an employer that encourages furthering yourself.

    You never know what you'll get in clinicals. I did peds with a psychiatrist that had me sit in a small chair in the corner of the room behind everyone. He said he'd give me a chance to ask questions, but in his 90 second med checks and four minute evals I didn't really have anything to ask, lol. He also sent me out of the room whenever there wasn't a patient in there so he could be alone with himself. It didn't bother me. I'm a second career guy so being around "gods" and arrogant people with rank was nothing new.

    Some NPs don't know diddly squat outside of algorithms and what meds go with what diagnoses. That's about all NP school offers you so it's up to you to dig into the -ologies of your field and have enough awareness of the other fields related to yours. I say this because some NPs are kind women who take you under their wing, nurture, etc., yet many are incapable of answering any "whys." Conversely, you'll find docs who can't explain that either. You'll find kindred doctors and you'll find quite sharp and well read NPs. It's like that old box of chocolates line from Gump. Unfortunately with academic clinical rotations most the chocolates, regardless of preparation, are the ones you don't want.

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    Thank you so much for replying!

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    I would like to get a book to help study for boards while I'm in school but more so use it to supplement whatever material I am learning - kind of like what I did in undergrad. I had an NCLEX book and I would do some practice questions related to whatever I was studying at the moment. Can anyone recommend a book for FNPs? I'm thinking of gearing more towards the ANCC.

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