To remain as an RN w MSN or to proceed to be an FNP

Nursing Students NP Students

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  1. to accept RN full time offer or proceed FNP program

    • 2
      accept RN full time perm job 2 hrs from home and relocate
    • 10
      decline RN job offer and proceed FNP program

12 members have participated

I have finished my first semester of FNP program and passed my classes. However i got a perm fulltime job offer as an RN about 2 hours from where i live. I am having second thoughts if i should pursue my FNP. I have read a lot about pharm, patho, and assessment but hard to remember them and apply to a real pt. Will be doing first clinicals this spring. Im not sure if i should pursue FNP or not. Im not comfortable diagnosing and prescribing meds at this level. Is this a normal feeling? How do you know if FNP is for you? Any advise is highly appreciated.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

You should not be comfortable with the FNP role after only one semester. You haven't had the training or experience to gain any comfort level. I think you'll see that your classes do apply once you start seeing patients. As far as continuing your NP education, what is it that you really want to do in nursing? Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? You are the only one who can answer your question. I love being an NP. I like the autonomy, the consistent schedule, diagnosing and treating patients. Confidence comes with time and experience in the NP role.

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Thank you so much for your advise. I really appreciate it.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I've graduated and passed my FNP exam and still don't feel ready. I remember feeling the same way as a new RN though so I know confidence will come with time.

I only felt comfortable in my first clinicals when I was doing more RN role stuff. When it came to making actual decisions I was a nervous wreck

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Thank you for sharing your feelings. I appreciate it.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

I am in a psych NP program and feeling the same way. I am just entering my second semester but I'm feeling very nervous about the level of responsibility and material to comprehend. I think this is perfectly normal but I definitely get where you're coming from. I was actually comforted by reading your post and the supportive responses. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I will echo what BC said; at this time you absolutely shouldn't feel comfortable diagnosing and treating! You haven't learned how yet.

My first clinical semester students I expect to be able to take a basic history and perform a basic exam when they start. By the end of the semester I expect them to be able to distinguish normal from abnormal and have some ideas about what the next step is.

Sent from my iPhone.

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I agree that there is so much material to digest. I cant even remember them all. My memory is not that photographic.

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

There were several times I questioned if I was actually learning anything, but once I got into clinicals, things started to "click". I have been told that confidence comes with time. If you truly desire to be a FNP, then you should do it. If not, it will always be there in the back of your mind and you may come to resent your job.

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Proceed to FNP

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I would say DO IT! This would be a normal feeling! Of course we all had this feeling when we were first RN's? Remember the day when you took the NCLEX. Did you feel confident that would be able to conquer the tesT? What about the day you were first a RN? How did you feel? Do you feel like you could for sure understand all the clinical issues, prioritize patient's needs? NO WAY!

I think this is a normal feeling (that i have had also, as I am in my 2nd semester FNP program). It's because we're learning! We hold quite a bit of responsibility as RN's give yourself more credit! Walk with confidence and believe in yourself even when you don't try your best :)

GOod luck to you.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

One problem I had was that in my RN job I felt great. I could handle about anything thrown at me and take care of my patients safely.

In my NP role I would miss stuff, not think of certain things, have to look stuff up, etc.

It's a bit aggravating to go from confident to novice in the same week for 2 years for clinicals. I was always more confident in my clinicals when my preceptor asked me to do a general nursing task (say the nurses are busy and asked me to go give the rocephin shot). Then when it came to "here's his labs, here's his vitals, here's his 23 meds, and here's his 12 comorbidities. What do you wanna do?"

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