In grave danger of growing: Professional development of NP students

One of the most difficult transitions in a Nurse Practitioner’s career is the initial process of becoming a graduate student. However little literature is available to assist faculty to prepare a new cohort of NP student for the dramatic and often difficult life experiences  that accompany graduate study. Entering graduate students are usually unprepared for the major adjustment  that must occur during the initial semester or quarter when they realize the enormity of the time and energy commitment that they unknowingly made.  Despite an adequate understanding of the Advanced Practice Role, they rarely have  the depth of experience necessary to prepare themselves and their life situation to embark on the difficult (although rewarding!) professional journey ahead.  This presentation discusses strategies to assist faculty to orient and  coach these students to undertake their new responsibilities and work their families using the type of anticipatory guidance they have mastered  as a BSN student or practicing RN. 

 “Over 30 years ago, on a retreat with his graduate students late one night, in a single draft, Dr. Charles Seashore wrote a commencement address that has become a classic, handed from student to student and professor to professor.  It discusses the ways a graduate program can be so powerful, so perilous, and so crazy-making for both its students and faculty...and, implicitly, what you can do to get through the process in one piece.  While it's original audience included many therapists, its message applies across disciplines.” (Ben J. Dean)

This presentation will analyze Seashore’s fundamental premises and offers materials for faculty to consider in their teaching/coaching process.   “1) The difficulties of students are remarkably similar despite dramatic differences in faculty, program design, or resources to conduct the program; 2) A humanistic process of professional development is a contradiction in terms; 3) Professional development is a big pain, especially, if you are only a relative of the person participating in the program.”