Things They Don't Tell You After Nurse Practitioner School: Part 1

Graduation is just the beginning. Part 1 of a series of blogs discussing topics they don't tell you in Nurse Practitioner school.

As eager as you are to graduate and begin your career as a nurse practitioner, seeing your first patient may be a little longer than you think. Most schools do a fair job of preparing you for boards; however, what happens after you find a job?

Part one of a series discussing the trials and tribulations after graduation.

#1 - Not Everyone is Going to Like You!

Yes, it's true; not everyone will want to be your patient. It was hard for me in the beginning to understand this. I couldn't understand why some patients thought I was the best provider ever, and others didn't want to see me. The reality is you may never know the answer and the reason probably has nothing to do with the care you provide. Although nurse practitioners have become well established in the healthcare setting, some patients still do not accept NPs. Patients have a right to choose their provider, and we must respect their choice as patients.

A preceptor once told me (before becoming an NP) that patients usually would rather see you as the NP than the Doctor. They didn't tell me that if you work for a fantastic Doctor (like I do ), that's not always the case!

#2 - It's OK to "call the Doctor."

As nurses, we have an inherent fear of calling doctors. As nurse practitioners, we are collaborators and facilitators of care. It's ok to call the specialists or other providers of mutual patients to discuss patient care. Everyone is busy, and you can't assume the provider will read your note, however elaborate and detailed it may be. If you need an answer or need to discuss care, CALL THEM! Your patients will appreciate you taking charge of their care and hopefully get the answers you are looking for.

"Yes, that means you may not be able to practice for up to 6 months after you find a job!"

#3 - Imposter Syndrome is Real

Remember when you were a new nurse caring for your first patient? Yeah, that feeling is going to come back. Everyone gets these feelings that they don't belong or know enough when starting (even Doctors). Lean on your training, find yourself a mentor who you can call when you need help, and ask for help when you need it. It might take a while, but you will eventually feel comfortable, just like you did as a nurse!

#4 - Graduation is Just The Beginning

Many of us will continue to work throughout NP school, and the pressures of finishing school may cause RN burnout to sink in. However, don't sign that letter of resignation too soon! Even if you have all your ducks in a row and are ready to take boards right after graduation, you may not see that first paycheck for several months. A small thing called "Credentialing" can make onboarding to your new job rather daunting. Credentialing is the vetting process of medical providers ensuring they meet all criteria to provide patient care. Not to worry, though; it is not difficult on your part. However, completing this process can take anywhere from 3-6 months. (Details on this in part 2- stay tuned!) Yes, that means you may not be able to practice for up to 6 months after you find a job!

Don’t Forget We Are Life Long Learners.

Your first year is probably going to be a little rough. The learning curve from RN to NP can be pretty steep at times, But remember, we as healthcare providers are Life Long Learners. It is impossible to know everything about every disease process and medication. You might want to give up and go back to nursing, where you feel comfortable, but at least give yourself a chance to succeed. I thought plenty of times throughout NP school that I wanted just to quit and go back to being a nurse, but I'm glad I didn't!

-Matt

TAGS: Nurse practitioner, NP School, New NP, FNP Student, NP student, Nurse Practitioner Student, NP life, Imposter syndrome,