What I Wish I Knew as a New Nurse Practitioner

When I work with new grad nurse practitioners one on one, we usually talk about the cases keeping them up at night, the lab results they’re struggling with, but there’s a sneaky under-layer that we don’t really talk about much in school.

Actually scratch that-- we absolutely do, but it’s one thing to read about (and write papers on!) and another to experience in real life.

In this video I’m talking about the core struggles new grad NPs have-- so you can be better prepared with what I wish I knew as a new grad, or to normalize what you’re already going through. And of course, the tools and resources to help.
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More Resources:

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Come follow along for even more tips and inspiration:

[Lmalatz]

You must be so amazing to have as a mentor. I really appreciate you sharing your light, passion, experience, and knowledge with the world.

[bdictjames]

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.

[malorysplawn]

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!

[d.m.]

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!

[chorher]

As a current FNP student, I appreciate the information regarding “the philosophy of scope of practice”. I can see why being a new NP this is not developed yet and one may want to seek a black and white answer. My hope is that with the guidance of a mentor I can see how he/she makes decisions, recommendations especially with complex cases. I appreciate the shared wisdom.

[dreeze]

I have been a nurse practitioner for 7 years and I am getting towards the frustration and burn out stage

[lisaalward]

Great info to understand the big picture!

[PMHNP]

Love your videos. Thank you for sharing.

[michellewoocoad]

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.

[ubwrites]

Thank you for a wonderful and thoughtful video. Very helpful.

[cheyennebenton]

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!

[helenn]

You’re so wonderful! Thank you for making such great content

[Yihooni]

Were you a bedside nurse before become an np?

[bluefamily]

" In community with NPs..." there is one? Where? point me to it? I need an NP community

[georgiannawilliams]

I wish I could have you as a mentor 😢