And a New Semester Begins........

Here comes the last year! Three semesters left and its time to graduate. I just finished printing out the notes for my courses. Course #1 is Diagnostic Lab which consists of x-rays, blood work, procedures etc. Course #2 is our first medical mgt. course which means I get to really get my hands dirty with SOAP, medication writing, lab ordering, patient teaching stuff! I'm really excited but its seems like it will be a crazy busy time. The work load seems very overwhelming but the professor stressed that they have never killed off anyone from the program due to the stack of work. I am holding her to her word and still going to try to fit in my yoga every other day....

OB and GYN Rotation Completed!

Wow what an experience! I just completed my OB/GYN rotation for this semester and it was awesome. I am working with an M.D. who I have known for years and I called him up and told him I needed some clinical experience and without hesitation he took me on. The first five minutes I was there he was already talking about us being partners when I graduate and opening up a second office for me to run. I told him I was not even sure if wanted to focus on OB/GYN since I love family practice so much. He is currently trying to change my mind. :)

Oh yes, the dreaded pap smear. I did not sleep because of it. I had no desire to do it. I did not want to try. It is part of the FNP program. Dang it! Thus it had to be done and perfected. So I did it. First try success not even a whimper from the patient. I could not find the cervix at first, as I was comparing the anatomy of the patient to the pictures of the book I studied the night before, only to find out that it was staring right at me the whole time. I took the smear and it was done. The patient did awesome and so did I! It was not nearly as bad as I anticipated and went by really fast.

Throughout the time I was in clinical with Mr. M.D. I got to assist in two hysterectomies, did some hospital rounds, a consult, and saw countless OB patients, and a few yearly checkups. It was crazy busy but super fun.

ANGELA FNP STUDENT TIP: Avoid the anterior structures while performing the pap smear and your patient will thank you.

Update

FNP school has been going well. I have been doing alot of clinical hours with my preceptors whom I think are both totally awesome. I am learning so much in regards to type of patients seen in the family practice setting, what medications to prescribe, and when to freak out. I love school even more than I thought I would and can't wait to graduate and do this on my own!

SCORE!

I finally received the paperwork from preceptor #2 on Friday and she was approved today. I just sent the paperwork to preceptor #3. Wish me luck!

The Waiting Game

Oh yes the world of waiting! I recently found out that the clinic I am doing hours in only sees kids one night a week and GYN visits are only once every six weeks. Due to this fabulous setup I must get signed paperwork for four clincial preceptors instead of sticking with one as planned. Normally this would not be an issue but each stack of paperwork is about 40 pages long and I am learning that providers are slow to deliver. It's not that I'm in a ton of hurry to get all my hours in early this semester it's just that I'm annoyed since I have been waiting since oh like June! So today I dragged myself out of bed super early and went beating down the door at the clinic. I gave her new paperwork to fill out and she told me that she would get it filled out today and call me. Thus that is why I am waiting. The point is start very early 4-6 months before your first clincials when looking for preceptors and pray that they remember you six months later. If the phone would just ring.........

Fall 2008 Begins

This semester I started my clinical courses. Since I am enrolled in a online program I had to find my own clinical sites. Luckily the first place I called was able to accommodate me and was very close to where I live. That was such a blessing because I was prepared to drive one hour each way if I had to. The site is a volunteer only free clinic for the working poor serving our county and is very small. A super sweet Physician Assistant named Brooke agreeded to precept me and I was all set. The first few days went great and I feel very comfortable with those I am working with. We have topical modules that we complete each week and I have completed three of them Communication, History, and Integumetary System. The book work has been easy thus far with tons of reading but easy information to understand. My focus this semester is to learn the Advanced Physical Exam and the Role of the Nurse Practitioner.

FNP WannaBe Finds New Home.

Welcome to Angela FNP! Just recently I found myself needing a space to collect all my thoughts, links, and clinical journal entries. I thought a blog would be just the right fit. For those of you that do not know me, I am a FNP student located in Texas and will graduate in December 2009. I have a wonderful supportive husband that I have been married to for 2 1/2 years who is working on his masters degree also. I hope this site will turn out to be a great resource for Nurse Practitioners, Students, and Friends. If you stop by please leave a note so I know you were here!