FNP Survival Kit
BY
Class of 2015
Outline
Clinical Survival Kit
•Introduction
•Table of Contents
I.Preclinical
II.Study Tips
III.Q &A
IV.Clinical Sites
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL
SURVIVAL KIT
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) graduating class of spring 2015 welcomes you
as you have made an excellent decision to become a part of the Coppin family. In partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the Master’s degree/Certificate of Family Nurse
Practitioner (FNP), we collectively made the decision to create an orientation packet entitled,
“CLINICAL SURVIVAL KIT” for future students of this graduate program. Experience became
our motivation in the choice we made to complete this project. We desire to leave a legacy
and a positive imprint for upcoming students to follow to achieve success in their academic
endeavors. We hope that as we exit, the FNP program at Coppin State University remains
strong and meets the needs of the student population it serves. We have prepared this
orientation packet to assist you in your academic journey experience excellence. We the FNP
Graduate Class of spring 2015 believe that students come first at the Helene Fuld School of
Nursing (HFSON); therefore, we are creating a “mentoring” environment to encourage you to
reach your highest potential. We endeavor to present information you need to know for
preparation before clinical begins to ensure a smooth transition into a successful clinical
experience.
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL
SURVIVAL KIT
The purpose of the FNP Program is to prepare nurses to provide
advanced primary health care to underserved populations in an urban setting. In
order to support your goal of being able to provide excellent primary health care
that is culturally sensitive, we have put together need to know clinical information
and a list of variety of settings for your practicum experiences to reduce your
anxiety and pressure in seeking clinical placements. Please note that whether you
are in the traditional MSN-FNP or Post Masters Certificate track, there is an
expectation that you complete a minimum of 500 direct patient care clinical hours
in the preparation for the Nurse Practitioner role. These clinical experiences vary
and are distributed throughout the curriculum to include exposures to primary
health care of: children, women, adult/older adults, and family. Each clinical
component has a specific number of hours assigned. Please refer to your
syllabus/student handbook for specifics.
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL
SURVIVAL KIT
We have put together important information you need to
know and complete before beginning clinical rotations, as well as
compiled a list of several clinical sites we used for our practicum
exposure. These clinical sites have approved contract with HFSON
(at this time), however, we advise you to make contact with
potential preceptors as soon as you have registered for the course.
Note, that although we have opened the door to these sites, other
students from other institutions utilize these practitioners and the
sites. It will be most beneficial to you to visit the sites you chose and
make face to face contact and secure your clinical ahead of time.
We wish you success on your journey.
FNP Class of spring 2015
HFSON
Clinical/Lab Supplies
These supplies will be needed in the simulation lab and in your clinical settings:
• White lab coat/jacket - $10-30 (Alko, Uniform City, uniform stores, etc.)
• School of Nursing shoulder patch w/ department emblem $5 (School uniform company)
• Royal/sapphire blue name tag with credentials & degrees $10-15 (Staples, Office Depot)
• High-quality Stethoscope w/ diaphragm & bell or bell function - $30-200 (Amazon, EBay,
uniform stores, etc.)
• Blood pressure cuff - $10-40 (Alko, Amazon, uniform city, etc.)
• Percussion hammer $3-20 (Alko, Amazon, uniform store, etc.)
• Penlight (Alko, Amazon, uniform store, etc.)
• Tuning fork -$3-5 (Amazon)
• Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope - $50-100 (EBay for dual attachment set)
• Watch w/ second hand $5-(Walmart, etc.)
• Tape measure w/ inches & centimeters (Amazon, uniform store)
• Pocket notepad or electronic notebook
• Pocket or electronic medication reference
Clinical/Lab Supplies
CertifiedBackground.com or CertifiedProfile.com
Cost- $117.00
Coppin log-in Code- CQ52
Contains access to:
Background Check
Urine Drug Screen information
**All forms, immunization records, etc. will need to be faxed or uploaded to your Certified
Background profile each clinical school year. It is advisable that you keep a folder or flash
drive with these items in it, so that they may be easily updated and retrieved.**
***This information is solely intended to serve as a guide to help you prepare for clinicals.
It is not intended to be an authoritative or final source on clinical or program
requirements. Please refer to your Student Handbook, course syllabi and
departmental/course faculty for official information.***
Pre-Clinical Requirements
Background Check
Requirements
Other Requirements
Clinical requirements include:
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1. Physical Examination (renew every year)
2. Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) titers
3. Varicella (Chicken Pox) titers
4. Hepatitis B titers
5. Tetanus Vaccine or proof of vaccination in last 10 years
6. Proof of negative TB Test or Chest X-ray
7. Yearly Influenza vaccination
8. Current adult, child & infant CPR Certification
9. Current RN License
10. Signed Confidentiality Statement
11. School Honor Code (refer to student handbook)
12. Release of Information form
13. Video and Photo Release form
14. HIPAA Certification (copy may be able to be obtained through current
employer)
15. OSHA Certification (copy may be able to be obtained through current
employer)
Tips
1. Purchase a nurse practitioner certification review book at the beginning of the
program. This can be utilized throughout the program and will give you exposure to
answering questions the way they are asked on the board certification exminations
and possibly on exams throughout the program. Even purchasing an older edition of
the book will give you access to body systems and disease process overview, as well as
practice questions while you are in a particular specialty course. At the end of your
program when you are ready to study for your certification exam, you can purchase a
newer version or the current edition. Check Amazon & Ebay for less expensive copies
or even used copies.
-Recommended Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination and Practice Preparation
by Margaret Fitgerald
2. Don't forget to utilize of all of your "outside" resources such as YouTube and the
internet for difficult to understand procedures and concepts. There are many videos
that can "break down" a topic that you may have trouble grasping from textbook
readings.
Tips
3. Formulate study groups early on in the program. Don't always
study with people you are are friends with. You all may think alike
or be strong in the subject area. Search out people who have
expertise in other areas that you are not as strong in. They may
have the answer to your problem and you are much les likely to
get sidetracked in the process. At the very least, you may make a
new friend...
4. Make "friends" with people in your work area or in your doctor's
office. They may have insight into places you can go for clinical or
jobs once you graduate.
5. If APA format is not your friend or a strength of yours, purchase
a program that automatically formats your papers in APA format
like PERRLA. It costs about $40-50 and can be added on more than
1 computer, so you can split the cost w/ a colleague.
Tips
Study tip for the Nurse Practitioner program
• Pay attention to the professors
teaching style, as it may give
good insight on how to study
for the exam.
• Get as much exposure to the
topic as possible such as
listening to tegrity, review
power point, read selected
chapter and do practice
questions.
• Do not try to cram
information the night
before the exam.
• Take good notes in class and
pay attention to areas
emphasized by the
professor
Nursing 600 and Nursing
640
Resources
• Youtube for head to toe assessment: Videos under
BMEDINAGO and others are
included on Youtube.
• Review books: Margaret Fitzgerald, Pathophysiology for
dummies, or any
other basic pathophysiology book. Most textbooks include
online illustrations, test
questions, and discussions for in-
depth understanding and rationale, register for these
programs.
• Take advantage of the school’s simulation labs for additional
hands-on practice prior to starting your clinical rotation.
FAQs:
1. Do I need to buy the required health assessment
equipments?
Yes, you will find it useful for practice and the open
sessions
2. Does the school place students into clinical sites?
No! The student is responsible for finding their
clinical site and moving forward you will need to
provide your clinical site before you can be given the
code to register for any clinical course.
3. How should one dress for clinicals?
Professional attire and lab coat with the coppin patch
on the left arm as well as a name badge. NO
SCRUBS!!
FAQs:
4. Can one use Thanksgiving or Spring break or any
holiday to catch up on clinical hours? No, whenever
school is closed be it for break, holiday, or inclement
weather, the student is not to go for clinical and the
school will not be liable should something go wrong.
5. what if I my clinical site is not a good fit?
Clinical is the only practice you will get before
becoming an NP so, if you realize that your preceptor
or the clinical setting is not a good fit for you, inform
your instructor immediately and find a new
preceptor immediately instead of waiting till the end
of the semester.
Resources
6. How do I transition from non-degree seeking to
degree seeking?
Apply for degree seeking, meet the necessary
requirements, and also consult your assigned faculty
adviser for further instructions.
7. How do I obtain a code to register for classes?
Email your clinical site information to the faculty
/clinical coordinator to obtain a code.
Resources continued
•The use of the school’s Writing center, located in the Grace
Jacob Building can be helpful when writing your papers.
Prior knowledge of APA formatting in critical in developing
your papers.
•The purchase of the most recent APA book or online APA
programs like OWL are helpful when properly formatting
papers.
•PERRLA a program that can be downloaded to your
computer, can also be used to help format your papers in
APA style. The cost of this program is ~$39.99
•The use of Writecheck.com or Turnitin are used to identify
plagiarized work. The programs work the same and
identifies your papers similarity index. The cost for
writecheck.com is ~$30.00. and the school currently uses
Turnitin for written submissions.
Study tips:
• Study in small groups instead of individually. This
gives you the opportunity to learn from other
nurses experiences and actively engages you in the
learning process; helping you retain the
information.
• As previously mentioned in the use of review books
can provided you with simple, less complex rational
for understanding covered material.
• The use of flashcards can also be helpful. It also
may be helpful to use index cards that can be used
later when studying for the boards.
Course Requirements
• NURS 600 requires 40 hours of clinical hours, in
addition to a graded head-to-toe physical
performed on a classmate.
• NURS 660 requires 120 clinical hours.
• The purchase some medical tools including a pen
light, reflex
hammer, Otoscope, and ophthalmoscope, etc. may
be needed for your
final head-to-toe assessment. The tools can also be
used for at home
practice with friends and family.
Clinical Sites Suggestions
Pediatric Location Site
Harbor Pediatrics
Dr. John Irwin
3001 S. Hanover St. suite 302
Baltimore, MD 21225
(410) 350-2173
Family Practice (Adult)
Dr. Daniel Howard
405 N. Paca Street
Baltimore Md. 21201
(410) 779-9609
PEDS
Dr. Nicholas Donkor
10910 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21044
Adult Practice
Dr. Richard Akoto
344 University Blvd W # 326
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Thesis v.s. Non-Thesis
• Students have to complete
all six chapters of research
• Three faculty Thesis
members have
to serve on the Thesis
committee
• Student has to defend
research topic
• Student does not have to sit
for comprehensive exam
• Called “Research” due to
student carrying out the
entire research
• Only first three chapters are
completed by student
• Committees are
notThesis
used for
Nonnon-thesis. Two reader
minimum is required
• Oral presentation on clinical
project is required
• Comprehensive examination
is an requirement for nonthesis project
• Called “Clinical Project,”
research is not carried out in
its entirety
Thesis v.s Non-thesis
Course Description
Non-Thesis Research Project
• This course provides opportunities to develop, implement, and
evaluate a research project. The project, designed in collaboration
with a clinical faculty/preceptor, will reflect analysis, synthesis, and
integration in exploring a topic related to advance nursing practice.
Masters Thesis Guidelines
• This course provides opportunities to develop, and write a Masters
Thesis. The thesis
is written in collaboration with a faculty member will reflect analysis,
synthesis, and integration in exploring.
Clinical sites: Assessment
& Adult
Dr. Richard Akoto
344 University Blvd W # 326
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Daniel Howard
402 N Paca Street
Baltimore Md 21201
410-779-9609
Clinical sites: Assessment &
Adult
Medstar Hospitals
-Harbor
-Franklin Square
-Good Samaritan
Clinical Sites Suggestions
Adult & GYN
Daniel Howard
402 N Paca Street
Baltimore Md 21201
410-779-9609
Womens Health
Stella Jeffiries, CRNP
Affordable Health Care Nurse Practitioner
Clinic
11120 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD
20904
301-593-8300
1615 Rhode Island Ave, NE. Wahsington, DC,
20018
Peds Clinical
William C. Dash, MD
Harbor Pediatrics
3001 south Hanover Street #302
Baltimore, MD 21225
410-350-2173
Clinical Sites: Assessment &
Adult
Lakewood Family Health Center
Beltsville, MD
United Healthcare
Clinical Sites Suggestions
Women’s Health
Dr. Nasreen Kango, MD - Internist in Takoma
Park
7701 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 270-7606
Peds
Dr. Juliet Anadu
7500 Hanover Pkwy
Ste 202
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301 318 7259)
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Juliet_
Anadu.html#ixzz3VVU9uE63
Women's Health
Dr. Nancy P. Youssefi, MD
7350 Van Dusen Rd Laurel, MD
20707
(301) 317-6281
Peds
Naldo Juliet MD
7411 Riggs Rd # 314 Hyattsville,
MD 20783
(301) 434-0924
Clinical Sites Suggestions
• Lakewood family health
center Beltsville md
• Medstar Health
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Franklin Square
Good Sam
Union Memorial
Harbor Hospital
Washington Hospital Center
• VA Hospital
• Mercy Medical Center
• Overlea Personal Physicians
Women’s HealtH
Ellenor Chance, Christiana Ikome, Samantha
Kite,
Honorine Mumah, & Amanda Rothenbecker
PRECEPTORS
• Stella Jeffiries, CRNP
Affordable Health Care Nurse Practitioner Clinic
11120 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-593-8300
1615 Rhode Island Ave, NE. Washington, DC, 20018
• Dr. Nancy P. Youssefi, MD
7350 Van Dusen Rd Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 317-6281
PRECEPTORS
• Franklin Square OB- Cheryl Giese CRNP, dual
certification Women’s/Adults
9000 Franklin Square Drive. Baltimore, MD
21239
• Mercy Medical Center-Certified Nurse Midwife
as preceptor (they do lots of in office women's
health
• Dr. Nasreen Kango, MD - Internist
7701 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 270-7606
STUDY TIPS
Lecture/Didactic
• Pay close attention to information reviewed
during lectures.
• Join a study group.
• Review basic pathophysiology of the menstrual
cycle and understand the function of hormones,
pay close attention to negative feedback loops.
Understanding these fundamental concepts will
help you to understand many conditions
associated with women’s health.
STUDY TIPS
Lecture/ Didactic
– Review anatomy & physiology of the
pregnant female
– Review your category classification
– Case studies – make sure to really
understanding the healthy pregnancy first,
next AMA( advance for maternal age), then
pathology in pregnancy
STUDY TIPS
Clinical/ Practicum
• Bring you index cards filled with most
common medications used
• Know trimester (1-3) management including
the prenatal work up due for each semesterAgain use your index cards
• Be open to with you preceptor – Practice!
Practice! Practice makes perfect
STUDY TIPS
Clinical/ Practicum
• Gyn exams takes practice, so the more you do
the more comfortable you will be at pelvic
exams
• Measuring fundus- Practice! Practice! Again ,
palpating the fundus and measuring correctly
takes practice, again do
• Finding the FHR via Doppler- Again this takes
practice, do it as much and as often
FaQ’s
Is the course difficult?
This course is not necessarily difficult but it is a
lot information given in a short period of time.
Be proactive with reading assignments and don’t
allow yourself to fall behind.
FaQ’s
How many clinical hours do I need?
You are responsible for 120 clinical hours.
Do not delay!!!
You will need at least 16-24 practicum hours a
week to complete the hours on time.
FaQ’s
What should I do to be successful in the
course?
Read Chapters/ Review Power Points/Listen
to Tegrity.
**Pay attention to repetition
Complete practicum hours ASAP !!!
Complete clinical logs weekly
Use additional resources (NP review books)
Resources
• CDC mobile app for diagnosis and treatment
of STD’s
• CDC mobile app for antibiotic use
• CDC mobile app for contraceptive use
Ellenor Chance, Christiana Ikome,
Samantha Kite,
Honorine Mumah, & Amanda
Rothenbecker
PEDS
PRECEPTORS
• Baltimore City Schools (school based health
centers)
• Mercy Medical Center/Family Health
Centers of Baltimore
• Dr. Neelkantam Kamakshi
2108 Emmorton Park Dr.
Edgewood MD 21040
PRECEPTORS
Dr. Juliet Anadu
– 7500 Hanover Pkwy
Ste 202
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301-318 -7259)
• Harbor Pediatrics, Dr. John Irwin
3001 S. Hanover St. suite 302
Baltimore, MD 21225
(410) 350-2173
STUDY TIPS
• Join a study group
• Do not ignore any document that was posted
under your course
• Print the immunization and catch up schedules
(shrink and laminate for quick pocket
reference for class/clincals)
STUDY TIPS
• Be sure to understand “A& P” of all the
systems. This will help you identify abnormal
functioning, symptoms you would expect to
find, diagnose with proper differentials, and
treat.
• Know common diseases that occur in the
different age groups.
• Complete the case studies
FaQ’s
• How many clinical hours do I need for this class
120 hours
• What clinical sites are available to me?
See clinical list provided. Start contacting
clinical sites during your break before your class
starts. You may need to sign a contract for a
clinical cite that is new to the school. This
process can take months before approval is
obtained.
FaQ’s
• What if I do not find a clinical site?
Notify the school and your instructor
immediately. Continue to look and ask
classmates if you can pair.
RESOURCES
• CDC mobile app for immunization schedule
• Heart Murmur Pro Mobile APP (Murmurs are
common in PEDS, it is important to
distinguish normal from abnormal).
• Lab Reference Values Mobile APP
• American Academy of Pediatrics
Nursing 700
Nursing 700 Q&A
•
Do you have to pass the Comprehensive
Exam to qualify for graduation?
Yes, a passing grade on both sections of
the comprehensive is an requirement
before one can qualify to graduate
•
How is the Comprehensive Exam
graded?
There are 3 readers for the
comprehensive exam. Two of the three
readers have to pass the student,
before the patient is considered
successful on passing the
comprehensive. There is a checklist,
that the readers use to score the exam
• What are the total number of
hours for Practicum clinical?
The total number of hours are
180 clinical hours
• Can clinical sites be combined?
Yes, clinical sites can be
combined, but no more than
40 hours in specialty areas.
Specialty areas include:
pediatrics and women health
Portfolio for Nursing 700
• The portfolio is a representation of student academic
achievements. The portfolio is to be submitted in a binder
with the following sections:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Resume
Licensure
Education
Copies of CEU’s
Papers
Clinical Sites
Presentations
FAQs:
What is a DEA number?
A DEA number (DEA Registration Number) is
a number assigned to a health care provider
(such as a medical practitioner, dentist, or
veterinarian) by the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration allowing them to write
prescriptions for controlled substances.
Legally, the DEA number is solely to be used
for tracking controlled substances.
FAQs:
What is a DEA number?
A DEA number (DEA Registration Number) is
a number assigned to a health care provider
(such as a medical practitioner, dentist, or
veterinarian) by the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration allowing them to write
prescriptions for controlled substances.
Legally, the DEA number is solely to be used
for tracking controlled substances.
Nursing 700 Study Tips
•
For Non-thesis students- it is
important to start studying for
comps after the fall semsester. This
will prepare the student to do well
and increase ones chances in
passing both sections of the
Comprehensive Exam.
• Students should time
themselves when practicing
for the Comprehensive Exam.
The actual exam is timed, this
will decrease anxiety on exam
day.
•
Non-thesis students should practice
writing and rewriting daily to
prepare for the Comprehensive
Exam. Practicing writing will
decrease chances of error when
taken the actually Exam.
• Don’t be nervous, and know
that you have the information.
Eat a healthy balanced
breakfast before the exam.
Take deep breaths and relax.
NURS 700 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE OF FAMILY PRACTICUM
SPRING 2nd YEAR
Nurse Practitiopner Review Courses and Material
1. Fitzgerald Health Education Associations
Check www.fhea.com for NP certification exam review Courses
dates and locations.
Review book: Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination and
Practice Prepartion Third Edition. ( I suggest buying this book
day one of the program and start reading it and practicing
questions)
2. Barkley & Associates , www.npcourses.com
3. Necessary Workshops ( Marye Dorsey Kellerman)
https://www.necessaryworkshops.com
This is a three day local course (towson) Day 1 & 2 8am to 6
pm, day 3 7:30 to 1 pm. It cost $475 , and allows you to retake
course again prior to your test for $100.
Credential Awarded: FNP-BC
The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner board
certification examination is a competency based
examination that provides a valid and reliable
assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge
and skills of nurse practitioners. This certification
aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN
Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification
and Education. Once you complete eligibility
requirements to take the certification examination
and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded
the credential: Family Nurse Practitioner-Board
Certified (FNP-BC). This credential is valid for 5
You can continue to use this credential by
NURS 700 PRIMARY HEALTH years.
maintaining your license to practice and meeting
CARE OF FAMILY
the renewal requirements in place at the time of
your certification renewal.
PRACTICUM
SPRING 2nd YEAR
NP certification exam
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses
Association (ANA)
http://www.nurse
credentialing.org
NURS 700 PRIMARY
HEALTH CARE OF FAMILY
PRACTICUM
SPRING 2nd YEAR
NP certification exam
American Academy of
Nurse Practitioners
Certification Program
http://www.aanpcert
.org
The certification
examinations each consist of
150 multiple-choice items,
which include 15 pretest
questions that are not
counted in the candidate's
score
NURS 700 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE OF FAMILY PRACTICUM
SPRING 2nd YEAR
You must have malpractice
Nurse Service Organization
insurance. It can costs an
NSO's Professional Liability Insurance for Nurse Practitioners
estimated $2500 to $2800 a
http://www.nso.com
year , some employers may
pay for this.
Things to Consider Before
Taking a NP Job
Schedule
Salary
• will it be M-F, 8a – 5p, no
weekends no call.
• Anticipated patient volume
will it be 20-25 ppd.
• will be $85-120k with a
comprehensive benefit
package
• including 4 wks vacation,
malpractice, health insurance,
retirement, and 1 wk paid
CME.
• Relocation assistance and
possible sign on bonus.
• Salary vs. Hourly
APRN Consensus Model:
APRN Report.pdf
Maryland Board of Nursing
Agreement:
np_agreement.pdf
American Academy of Nurse
Practitioner Site:AANPCMS2
ANCC:
http://www.nursecredentialin
g.org/
Angie’s Words of wisdom
Choose your track early, thesis vs. non-thesis
Always , always remain professional and don’t
forget that you are a RN already.
Keep communication open with your professor,
they teach because they love what they do, they
are in our corner, our biggest supporters.
Make friends with your classmates immediately,
stick together and keep each other on track.
Part time vs full time, it doesn’t matter just as long
as you make the commitment to do it, whatever
is going to work best for your life.
Best of luck
from the Class
of 2015