How I prepared for my clinicals as an FNP student

amarten

For me, starting clinicals as a family nurse practitioner student was both exciting and intimidating. I felt a mix of nerves, anticipation, and relief to begin the final semesters of graduate school. I knew clinicals were going to challenge me, but I also wanted to make the most of my preceptor’s and my time while maximizing my time learning. Looking back, here are some things that I think helped me succeed along the way.

1. Stay organized: Before clinicals even started, I had to secure a preceptor months in advance. Both my preceptor and I had to complete a substantial amount of paperwork. I was the primary point of contact between my university, preceptor, and clinical site, so I had to respond to or forward emails within a timely manner to keep the approval process moving forward. Additionally, I had to complete loads of paperwork myself, including collecting things like personal immunization records and getting a background check and drug screen. It’s a lot of information to keep track of, so I kept myself organized with a to-do list each week and kept a binder and digital copies of all my necessary paperwork and records. 
2. Review the current guidelines: It was overwhelming with the amount of information I thought I needed to know before starting clinicals. So, before starting my rotation, I asked my preceptor for the top conditions they see in their practice. For example, my primary care preceptor said the main conditions they saw were diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. So before starting clinicals, I brushed up on my knowledge of current evidence-based guidelines. This helped me feel more confident during clinicals and know what information to ask my preceptor.
3. Prepare for feedback: At first, receiving feedback from my preceptor was harder than expected. But remember, preceptors are meant to guide and educate you on best clinical practice. If they ask you a question that you don’t know the answer to, then say you will look up the answer and get back to them later. If you receive negative feedback, then ask your preceptor how you can improve or if there are any helpful resources to review. 
4. Practice self-care: Clinicals can be physically and mentally draining, especially if you’re balancing them with work and family life. To combat burnout, I found it helpful to prioritize sleep and exercise to reduce my stress. Also, I planned and prepared healthy meals for the week that were easy to grab and reheat.
   

Last but not least, remember that your preceptor was once in your shoes. It takes time to build confidence and understand what it takes to be a nurse practitioner. You’ll make mistakes and probably doubt yourself at times, but that’s part of the journey. 

For those practicing as an FNP, what strategies were helpful when preparing for FNP clinicals? If you’re a current FNP student, what ways could you prepare yourself for clinicals?