PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
3 Tips to Overcome Challenges as a New Nurse Practitioner
-
EveryNurse Staff
- Last Updated: 09/09/2021
Becoming a new nurse practitioner (NP) is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Most new NPs were experts in their prior nursing positions and are now novices in their new career. It is a very different way of thinking and there is definitely a learning curve. Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the knowledge needed to provide safe patient care as a provider. There will be challenges in your transition to an NP that must be overcome. Address these challenges head on to become a confident and respected NP.
Confidence
You have worked hard for that white coat…you deserve to wear it! It can be difficult to get into the mindset of being a healthcare provider. As a nurse, you are used to completing orders that have been given, administering ordered medications and completing other tasks. You are the problem solver now. You are in the position to order that medication and give that order and you must do so with confidence. Being confident in your education and skills is instrumental in making both your staff and patients feel confident in the care that you are providing.
Research
While confidence is necessary, it is important to not be overly confident. It can be dangerous for patients when a new NP thinks that they know everything. Carry around any and all references that you need and pull them out constantly. Never stop learning. Acting, pretending, or assuming that you know something that you really do not is not worth compromising patient safety.
There are so many phone apps and online databases with evidence based guidelines that are very easy to use. Bookmark and make notes on the diagnoses that you see commonly so you can easily reference them during a busy day. Keep your textbooks from school! There will be a day that you will want to reference them.
Respect
It can be difficult to earn respect from other providers (including physicians), nurses, and other ancillary staff. A few simple steps can make earning their respect much easier.
The physicians you work with are now your peers with a shared goal to take excellent care of patients. Some ways to earn respect from physicians include being open to continuously building your knowledge base, being willing to learn from them and letting them teach you, and learning how they prefer to do things if you will be sharing patients. Maybe they prefer certain medications or treatments and the treatment process will flow more smoothly if you know their preferences. It’s also important to know how they like patients presented to them if you need to speak with them about a patient. Review SBAR reporting and receive feedback to help you improve communication with them about patients.
It may be hard to earn respect from some nurses at first. Maybe they have been nurses longer than you or may be older than you. The number one thing you can do to earn respect from nurses is to respect them! They will be your biggest resource and support system in your new role. Respect and show appreciation for them constantly.
Work/Life Balance
Any new career (or really, any new job in general) can be stressful, but transitioning into an NP role can be a whole new level of stress. You have a newfound responsibility to care for the lives of your patients and your decisions greatly impact them. It takes a while (probably at least 6 months or more depending on your speciality) to get the hang of being a healthcare provider and not stress out about every single medication or test that you order. It is very easy to take your work home with you, looking up patient charts to see if their labs are back yet, rethinking every medication ordered that day, and worrying that you missed something while diagnosing someone.
It’s critically important to find ways to leave work at work. Strive to have all of your charts completed before you leave the office so you do not have that task hanging over you all night. You have to take care of yourself in order to give your best self while you are at work. Find things to help you relax such as exercising, listening to music, crafting, or anything else that takes you to your happy place.
Conclusion
Transitioning to a new NP role can be very stressful, but can be so fulfilling and worth it once you get on your feet and find your stride. Your new role may not be exactly as you imagined it at first, but utilizing these tips will make your transition to an NP easy and successful.
Focusing on exuding confidence, earning the respect of peers and colleagues, and maintaining a work/life balance will increase your chances of a successful transition to being a competent NP. What are some ways that you can change your attitude and actions to align with these tips to increase your chances of success? Integrate these changes into your work life so that you can feel happy and fulfilled in your decision to take this exciting next step in your life. And be proud of yourself! You can do this!
Video Library
Read More
