Tami’s Tips for FNP School
Disclaimer: My intent is to help everyone by having the info that I found beneficial (and wish I had known)
in one easy to find spot. This is NOT all inclusive and, of course, is subject to change. ALWAYS follow the
rubrics, instructors, practicum coordinators, or relevant grown-up’s advice if it conflicts with mine.
Basic class information and advice:
When writing any paper or discussion ALWAYS save them to the cloud FREQUENTLY. I promise you will
regret it if you do not. School is hard on laptops and you will need a minimum of 10 of these for your
capstone paper (see below). Plus, 15 pages of lost research paper = angst!
If you want to be ahead of the game, look up the school’s program objectives (PO), the NONPF Core
competencies https://www.nonpf.org/login.aspx, and the MSN Essentials (make sure they are the most recent
ones!). As you complete assignments skim to see which PO, NONPF CC, or MSN essential the assignment
might tie in to. Put this at the top of the saved assignment i.e. “Victims paper NONPF 4, PO 5, & MSN 2. When
you need to write a reflection at the end of each class asking how you addressed MSN 2- you can find it in a
second. When you have 4 functioning brain cells left in your capstone class and need to write a paper that ties in
and prove that you addressed EVERY PO, NONPF CC, and MSN E you can do it in fraction of the time it took
the rest of us mere mortals.
Drive safely but wisely: Use the readera or speechify apps to read your typed notes or exam review study
guides while you’re driving. Use vitalsbookshelf to read your text books to you. Listen to lectures on your
commute or at the gym. You can also listen to Latrina Walden’s crash course review @
https://www.waldenexamsolutions.com or free you tube videos like Joann Asia and Khan academy and
so on.
Share the workload: Make study groups and divide up the reading and/or exam review guides. Using a Google
doc is the best way for everyone to instantly see contributions and keep things organized.
Save Your Time AND Your Grade: Save TONS of research time for papers and case studies by using US
EBP CPG (clinical practice guidelines) or Preferred Practice Patterns (PPPs) . You can find them by searching
those terms and using the previous or following links. MAKE SURE it is the most recent guideline AND from
the US or you will lose points and end up re-writing the entire assignment (especially in 601, 602, and 603)!
https://emedicine.medscape.com/index/list_13118_0?src=WNL_drugguide_190909_MSCPREF&uac=164291AX&i
mpID=2085344&faf=1, https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/clinicalpractice.htm,
https://www.guidelinecentral.com/summaries/
Immersion weekend in physical assessment before practicum starts: Make handwritten flash cards to
memorize the head to toe assessment for Immersion weekend. Yes, you may be able to learn it at the last
minute, but believe me- you'll want it hardwired for check off. You'll also need it to be automatic for
performing fast fluid physicals in the office. Your preceptor's expect you to know how to do this when you start
clinic, so keep practicing it once a week or so after Immersion.
SUPER IMPORTANT APA tips: Read the APA manual but here are quick tips
1. Always use Times New Roman 12 font. Be careful because some of the CCN templates have headers or
other areas that are NOT APA formatted.
2. ALWAYS have your reference list start with the word “References” centered (not bold). Always have the
paper body and References page double spaced with Indentation set as Special Hanging (these are found in
Paragraph settings).
1
, Tami’s Tips for FNP School
3. No abbreviations/acronyms at start of sentence WRONG: CVD is prevalent in the US.
2
Disclaimer: My intent is to help everyone by having the info that I found beneficial (and wish I had known)
in one easy to find spot. This is NOT all inclusive and, of course, is subject to change. ALWAYS follow the
rubrics, instructors, practicum coordinators, or relevant grown-up’s advice if it conflicts with mine.
Basic class information and advice:
When writing any paper or discussion ALWAYS save them to the cloud FREQUENTLY. I promise you will
regret it if you do not. School is hard on laptops and you will need a minimum of 10 of these for your
capstone paper (see below). Plus, 15 pages of lost research paper = angst!
If you want to be ahead of the game, look up the school’s program objectives (PO), the NONPF Core
competencies https://www.nonpf.org/login.aspx, and the MSN Essentials (make sure they are the most recent
ones!). As you complete assignments skim to see which PO, NONPF CC, or MSN essential the assignment
might tie in to. Put this at the top of the saved assignment i.e. “Victims paper NONPF 4, PO 5, & MSN 2. When
you need to write a reflection at the end of each class asking how you addressed MSN 2- you can find it in a
second. When you have 4 functioning brain cells left in your capstone class and need to write a paper that ties in
and prove that you addressed EVERY PO, NONPF CC, and MSN E you can do it in fraction of the time it took
the rest of us mere mortals.
Drive safely but wisely: Use the readera or speechify apps to read your typed notes or exam review study
guides while you’re driving. Use vitalsbookshelf to read your text books to you. Listen to lectures on your
commute or at the gym. You can also listen to Latrina Walden’s crash course review @
https://www.waldenexamsolutions.com or free you tube videos like Joann Asia and Khan academy and
so on.
Share the workload: Make study groups and divide up the reading and/or exam review guides. Using a Google
doc is the best way for everyone to instantly see contributions and keep things organized.
Save Your Time AND Your Grade: Save TONS of research time for papers and case studies by using US
EBP CPG (clinical practice guidelines) or Preferred Practice Patterns (PPPs) . You can find them by searching
those terms and using the previous or following links. MAKE SURE it is the most recent guideline AND from
the US or you will lose points and end up re-writing the entire assignment (especially in 601, 602, and 603)!
https://emedicine.medscape.com/index/list_13118_0?src=WNL_drugguide_190909_MSCPREF&uac=164291AX&i
mpID=2085344&faf=1, https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/clinicalpractice.htm,
https://www.guidelinecentral.com/summaries/
Immersion weekend in physical assessment before practicum starts: Make handwritten flash cards to
memorize the head to toe assessment for Immersion weekend. Yes, you may be able to learn it at the last
minute, but believe me- you'll want it hardwired for check off. You'll also need it to be automatic for
performing fast fluid physicals in the office. Your preceptor's expect you to know how to do this when you start
clinic, so keep practicing it once a week or so after Immersion.
SUPER IMPORTANT APA tips: Read the APA manual but here are quick tips
1. Always use Times New Roman 12 font. Be careful because some of the CCN templates have headers or
other areas that are NOT APA formatted.
2. ALWAYS have your reference list start with the word “References” centered (not bold). Always have the
paper body and References page double spaced with Indentation set as Special Hanging (these are found in
Paragraph settings).
1
, Tami’s Tips for FNP School
3. No abbreviations/acronyms at start of sentence WRONG: CVD is prevalent in the US.
2
