What made your first year of NP difficult?

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 19, 2015

I'd love to revive this thread. I am only a few months in and still sometimes feel myself at a loss. Sometimes I think it's crazy I am making the decisions I am making.

So I'll ask the question again: What made your first year of NP difficult?

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · Jul 12, 2015

anh, I'm feeling that way in clinical when I'm given my own patients. Some I feel good about, it's familiar and I know exactly what to do, but for most of the patients....

I feel at a loss for the exact assessment to do based on the presentation and as an ER nurse I want to order too many tests (according to my preceptor.) It's leaving me feeling like I may not get it all down by the time I start working.

At any rate, I'm looking forward to the responses, too. I do suspect that I'll still have that feeling next year, but with more preparation than I'm giving myself credit for.

ToFNPandBeyond · Sep 14, 2018

Can we revive this thread please?

JellyDonut · Sep 16, 2018

My first year was horrible as I was a spanking new grad in a specialty with two physicians who help pulmonary and critical board certifications. It took two full years to receive my very first compliment. And by year three i no longer received the "side eye" for questioning their plan of care. I studied..asked questions..spent hours reading..and finally reached the point where i earned their trust...I can now tell either of them they are wrong and they do the same. it takes a while...but in the end it is so worth it!!!

Cococure · Jan 16, 2019

Hello all,

Yes can we please revive this thread and get some more input I know there are lots of experienced and new NP's out there. I am in my last semester and I feel like I know nothing and I am still super nervous at clinical and my MD aks great questions but I just don't know the answers...ugh. When did you start to feel some assembleance of confidence? Did you feel confident in your last semester? I am all shambles...any advice...

ToFNPandBeyond · Jan 17, 2019

I'll respond to both your and my original question as I'm nearing 6 mos in primary care as an FNP. I started seeing a full panel of patient in 2 mos, which was quicker than what we had negotiated. However, in the end it worked out and I was better for it. Turns out, I was ready to see a full load. You really do move with the tide and pick up pretty quickly once you're thrown out there. I remember feeling the same way after I completed my final semester. Even though I opted for more clinical hours, I still didn't feel ready and feared I'd flop and get fired. But as long as your program is rigorous, accredited, and has great placements, you should do fine. Oh, and support! The support you have from your supervisor and colleagues at the job you choose is critical!

Spadeforce · Jan 17, 2019

The fact I did fnp and worked inpatient lol.

Dodongo, APRN, NP · Jan 19, 2019

Working in a group with multiple attendings. So many different practice styles. Some wanted to be involved in most decisions. Some were no where to be found during a shift. Some wanted you to practice exactly as they did. Some didn't care what you did.

Happy818, BSN, MSN, APRN · Feb 3, 2019

What type of "nursing" did you do before starting your NP? I'm a recent BSN grad and have no interest in working in a hospital, but seeing that the NP programs are requiring a year of experience, I'm curious to see what most of you have done.

(BTW- I've been an RD for 15+ years.)

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 4, 2019

21 hours ago, Happy818 said:
What type of "nursing" did you do before starting your NP? I'm a recent BSN grad and have no interest in working in a hospital, but seeing that the NP programs are requiring a year of experience, I'm curious to see what most of you have done.
(BTW- I've been an RD for 15+ years.)

I spent most of my career working in Peri-Op settings (preop and PACU). Last two years while finishing school, I was an in patient pain nurse.