Great topics. As NP students, we are primarily taught about guidelines. And guidelines are great - but you're right, everyone's different. Insurance companies may pay for something else. This is why pathophysiology of diseases, knowing mechanism of action, helps. There is textbook practice and real world practice - and the way you develop your "style", or "art", or as what Liz calls, "archetype", comes with experience. But you have to have a solid background first. That's where school, good mentorship, subscribing to medical/NP journals (I know I personally subscribe to American Family Physician), comes handy. But knowing your scope, knowing when to ask for help, knowing the red-flags (i.e. cauda equina syndrome, appendicitis, meningitis) is a good start, and once patient is stable, you can get to helping them get well. I know - this may not be for everyone - but I read a primary care textbook - one chapter a day my first couple of years as an NP. As an independent practitioner, working alongside another NP, I did not have the luxury of getting to ask a physician colleague handily (although I am able to, via e-consult, at times). However, reading the textbook and slowly integrating that into practice has made me a more solid clinician. And again, I recommend to start with the basics - pathophysiology, knowing the evidence-based treatment, and mechanism of action for medications. I am 3 years into primary care/family medicine - still learning, but every day is a great journey.
I love your videos and just signed up for your lab interpretation course. I am excited to learn more and to relearn the “must knows”. Thank you for doing this!
Thank you so much for your videos! They are so helpful. I'm about to graduate FNP school soon and these videos have helped me so much!
I have been a nurse practitioner for 7 years and I am getting towards the frustration and burn out stage
Hang in there - you so got this!! And please make sure to take care of yourself outside of work if you can.
Love this! I find myself loving the holistic approach to primary care and just simplifying healthcare to the pt like explaining HTN with the analogy of a hose or locks to doors for DM. It’s so great when patients understand or we work together towards a new goal for a patient plan. The complex stuff doesn’t freak me out as much from those first 3 months like you said, but I do refer out now for consultations vs eval & tx. One thing my pts tell me that they really appreciate and something I’m still working on is listening and doing something to figure out what’s going on. So not afraid anymore to do standing monthly appointments and it shows that I care. When I watched this video, I was like whoa... that’s me the provider who likes to do the holistic stuff and health edu stuff and explain treatments.
Hello Liz! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, expertise, and perspectives on NP practice. I am an AG-ACNP student finishing my first quarter of clinicals with two more to go. While it has been exciting, I do feel the frustration period as a student. Did you ever have a preceptor that was not as "mentor" supportive as you had hoped they would be? Or give good/constructive feedback? Thank you for the awesome video and your commitment to teaching the future of nurse practitioners!
I have been very lucky to have great preceptors. I encourage you to look for a preceptor who is right for you - you can advocate for yourself!
I wish I could have you as a mentor 😢
Make sure to join our email list - new offering coming soon with mentoring - stay tuned! www.realworldnp.com/guide
Were you a bedside nurse before become an np?
Yep! I was an acute care staff nurse for a little over 5 years before I was an NP
" In community with NPs..." there is one? Where? point me to it? I need an NP community
Hey! We don't have a community as it stands right now, but definitely check out the mentorship waitlist page as we investigate options to support NPs- www.realworldnp.com/mentoring
You must be so amazing to have as a mentor. I really appreciate you sharing your light, passion, experience, and knowledge with the world.
Wow, thank you! I am very grateful for the kind words, and appreciate your support