Day in the Life of a Student Nurse Practitioner

Becoming a nurse practitioner can be rewarding yet challenging. It requires careful balance between academia, clinicals, and work responsibilities. NP students must first determine their chosen patient population at the time of enrollment into an NP program. NP schools have population-focused programs such as family health, pediatrics, adult-gerontology, neonatal, psychiatric, and women’s health. A student NP can enroll in school part-time or full-time. They can attend classes online or in person. Their program can vary from a one- to two-year master’s degree to a three- to four-year doctorate degree.

The life of a student NP entails a demanding mixture of didactic coursework, clinical training, and a personal life which may include working as a nurse. Students often juggle multiple priorities but need to focus on long-term career preparation as an NP. After completing their NP program, students must prepare for their national certification exam and state licensing. All of this will help them prepare to become advocates for wellness.

What are Clinical Rotations?

During clinical rotations, NP students apply theory to practice. NP students must complete a minimum of 500 supervised direct patient care clinical hours during their program. Although most programs require 500 to 700 hours, DNP programs specifically require 1,000+ hours. This is to prepare NP students for independent practice.

In the beginning of their rotations, NP students will shadow other clinicians such as NPs, physicians, or physician assistants (PAs). Once they have accumulated more knowledge through their courses, they will start to see patients with their supervisor and eventually on their own. Students will utilize what they learned from the didactic portion of their program and incorporate it into real-life situations.

Types of Clinical Rotation Settings include:

• Hospital or Inpatient Units
• Primary Care Clinics
• Retail clinics
• Community Medical Centers
• Specialty Offices such as cardiology, endocrinology, dermatology, etc.
• Rehab Facilities
• Urgent Cares
• Mental Health Clinics
• Long-Term Care Facilities
• Pediatric Clinics
• Women’s Health Clinics

NP students will fulfill these clinical hours in addition to attending classes. Clinical rotations may require eight- to 12-hour shifts, two to three times per week. It may be more challenging to have time to work during this portion of the program since it is time-intensive. This is where students start to step into the role of a provider.

During clinicals, NP students are responsible for obtaining patient histories, performing physical exams, and developing differential diagnoses. Then they apply that information to discuss treatment plans with their preceptor. They will document a patient SOAP note, order labs and diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications under their supervising preceptor. Preceptor collaboration is important, as it allows students to discuss cases and receive feedback.

Some schools provide a list of preceptors students can match with. However, many programs require students to find preceptors on their own. This can be difficult because NPs and PAs already have busy schedules seeing patients and are often unable to accommodate students. Additionally, physicians are already precepting medical students or residents. As a result, companies such as NPHub have been created to help NP students find a preceptor for a paid fee.

Certification Exam and Licensing 

NP students need to complete course requirements and clinical hours prior to graduating. DNP students specifically have to finish their capstone project. The capstone project is a student’s opportunity to apply newly developed competencies from their program to design a project focused on improving healthcare outcomes. The goal of this project is for DNP students to demonstrate mastery of newly acquired skills and knowledge, with a focus on quality or clinical practice improvements.

After NP school, students still need to continue to study to pass the national certification exam. Some may even elect to take an exam prep seminar to help them prepare. It is recommended to study full-time for one to three months after graduating in planning for the certification exam. Students will have to review class notes, practice exam questions, and study board prep materials.

There are two national certifying bodies for NPs: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification Board. Both offer accredited, comprehensive exams required for state licensure. The ANCC exam incorporates broader topics such as research and theory, whereas the AANP exam focuses specifically on clinical knowledge. The ANCC exam consists of 175 questions, and the AANP exam consists of 150 questions.

Upon graduation, passing the certification exam becomes a priority. Once an NP student passes the exam, they must apply for a license in their state of residence before they can practice. This requires an application, background check, school transcripts, and proof of national certification in their chosen specialty.