Transition from RN to ANP

[vandy_hokie575]

I recently graduated from Vanderbilt University's Adult Nurse Practitioner program, and I found employment at a local cardiology office. Although I have been a RN since 2002, the transition from RN to ANP is somewhat daunting. I remember (with previous experience) that the length of orientation seemed to range from days to weeks. But, with this new role, I have some trepidation in regards to what I can expect from orientation from type of preceptor/mentor, length of orientation and what is expected of me as a new ANP. If anyone has any insight to this matter, all comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

vandy_hokie575

[sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN]

Well, as a VU Adult NP (recently), I can tell you...I feel your pain. I landed a job at a walk-in clinic (pre-warning them I had spent most of my time in Internal Medicine) and I thank god daily for PAs. The PAs in the office have been my guardian angels. They help me all the time.

My hang-ups are not so much the internal stuff, it's procedures. Suturing, stapling and oh me, toe-nails. I had a guy come in last week, the only provider at closing with metal in his eye. I took one rather lengthy look at his eye, and sent him on to VUMC emergency, thinking to myself, I'd want an Ophthamologist myself.

My suggestion, immerse yourself in Brunswald's. The book is superb and the residents at my other job actually read it often. I think you should actually be shadowing another provider for awhile, not long, maybe a week or two. You probably will not be expected to handle acute problems. I would assume you would be checking post caths, MIs and titrating HTN/lipids.

Was this not part of your entrance interview? Expectations? I actually worked a few blocks of time with the supervising MD before taking my job. LOVE it now! Still feel like a new fish in a big pond somedays...but I get better with support from my PA peers and the doc. Good luck!

[jlcole45]

Sandnnw - Can you speak more of the book you recommended?

Is Brunswald the name of the book or author?

[sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN]

http://www.amazon.com/Primary-Cardiology-Eugene-Braunwald/dp/0721694446/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256043938&sr=8-24

ISBN-10: 0721694446

ISBN-13: 978-0721694443

Were you in the Cards specialty??? This was required reading for us. I still read it sometimes. Includes ECGs. If I worked in a cards office, I'd have it at my desk. Braunwald is like the Cardiologists' Cardiologist. Sorry, I previously misspelled his name.

Check Ebay and Amazon. The book is broken down by cards problems and gives you treatment, follow-up, testing, etc. You won't find better. The ECG samples are worth the price. $30 bucks, get it.

jimbo

PS: are you still in Nashville? Congrats on the new job!!!