NP Guide's Tips to Surviving Grad School
Compare book prices for all major sites at once:
Apps (Found on Android, most available on Apple as well):
Clinical Guidelines/Pharmacology: Epocrates (paid)
Clinical Guidelines/Pharmacology:UpToDate (paid, more expensive than Epocrates; I prefer Epocrates)
Radiology Practice: SubLux (free)
Radiology: UBC Radiology
Screening guidelines: USPSTF
Clinical resource: MedScape (free)
Medical News: MedPulse (free)
Lactation/Pharmacology: LactMed@NIH (free)
Guideline Clinical App by the American Academy of Cardiology (free)
GoodRX (free)
Sanford Guide to Antimicrobials (paid)
5 minute consult
Books:
Pathophysiology:
Pharmacology:
Review Book:
EKG Interpretation:
Pediatrics:
Clinical Guideline Books:
Reviews:
Resume Services
Product Recommendations:
Stethoscope: Littmann Cardiology IV 22”
Computer for clinicals: Asus Chromebook
Computer/Clinical Bag: Laptop Tote
Lab Coat: Grey’s Anatomy White Lab Coat
Coffee (lol): Kahlua French Vanilla Coffee (Non-Alcoholic)
APA Paper Guideline Assistance:
Sites to pay for a preceptor (I am not affiliated with any of these nor have personal experience with these. These links are simply here as the most commonly used ones. Use at your own risk. All are about $12.50 per hour.):
YouTube Channels:
YouTube Videos:
AANP vs ANCC: Which one should I take?
Websites/Links:
Assessment video examples: https://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/videos.html
SOAP Note Templates: Soapnote.org
ASCVD Risk Calculator: http://tools.acc.org/ASCVD-Risk-Estimator-Plus/#!/calculate/estimate/
How to list credentials: https://www.apea.com/blog/how-should-nurse-practitioners-list-their-credentials/
Medication alternatives for the elderly: https://content.highmarkprc.com/Files/EducationManuals/GeriatricResourceBinder/med-alternatives.pdf?fbclid=IwAR32hkXeKWVpqyuH8vz-4XS2JbeiLDt20qoJMpK0DWy33eimzdZAFZNfEqE
Understanding congenital heart defects: http://learn.pediatrics.ubc.ca/body-systems/cardiology/approach-to-cyanotic-congenital-heart-disease-in-the-newborn/
Sports physical resource: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0901/p371.html
Antibiotic Chart: https://www.straighthealthcare.com/antibiotic-chart.html?fbclid=IwAR1Sg5YcQzlOtESpQ_mi_Duu0dfwDS7QxmTezz6vfx0EVj_SOL9S2ZKRbY0
GINA 2020 (asthma guidelines): https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Main-pocket-guide_2020_04_03-final-wms.pdf
Malpractice Insurance (YES! You need this as a student too)
Tutors:
I worked for a company called WyzAnt for 8 years. While I don't have time to tutor anymore, I am still able to give out free lessons with them (Up to $40)! Use this link for a 1 hour lesson with any tutor on the site. Stuart is an NP on there who I have heard great things about. https://is.gd/cJqFvz
DOT Certification Course:
Recommended course: www.NRCMEweb.com (this is the cheapest one at $199)
After you do this course, study using www.quizlet.com (just type in DOT exam in the search bar and do the cards there until you memorize all the guidelines)
FAQs:
Who can be a preceptor? Varies by state/program. Some require all FNPs. Others say anyone but a PA. Some say all! Check with your school and BON.
Tips:
Get an email address right now that is professional and not your school email for all things NP only. (You will appreciate this when you start applying for jobs, credentialing, etc. Basically like an "email file folder" to keep everything together.) Try this format: firstlast.fnp@
Research graduation rates, time it takes most students to complete the program (is it more than expected), and first time board pass rates. If the school won't tell you, run.
There is a growing trend of major hospital systems being contracted with state schools for preceptorship. When possible, attend these in state and often cheaper programs. (Mine was in state, 40k, and found preceptors due to contracts with the teaching hospital).
Many hospital systems have an education department through which you must apply to get a preceptor. They will assign you one after you apply to their department (may be a year in advance). Call your local hospital and ask for their education department and see if they have such a program. If they do, this is sometimes the only way to get a preceptor that is related to that hospital system. The individual clinics will turn you down just due to the policy that you have to go through their education department. This saves them time, hassle, and paperwork. This may be why you are getting so many nos when cold calling (which from my own experience, I don't recommend. It was entirely unfruitful).
Get a study buddy now. You're going to need them!
Get a good stethoscope. The shorter the length of the tube and the thicker the tube, the better sound quality you will get. My Health Assessment professor held mine up during class and said to throw it away (it was $30 MDI with a skinny, long tube) because I wouldn't be able to hear murmurs well. So I invested in the $140 Littmann Cardiology III. My brother has the IV and loves it.