No laws or regulations prevent nps from admitting

occupational therapy (Virginia Board of Nursing, 2016). No laws or regulations prevent NPs
from admitting patients to the hospital, from holding hospital privileges and from being primary
care providers (PCPs). APRNs are allowed to prescribe Schedule II to VI medications given they
have this authorization outlined in a written practice agreement with a supervising physician in
addition to a written protocol.
Personal Assessment
Before a new APN enters the workforce, it is important to perform a thorough personal
assessment to determine their strengths, weaknesses, goals, objectives and identify the
opportunities for a strong professional career. Even though APNs are at an advanced level,
Benner’s Self-Assessment Tool is very important for APNs that do not appreciate the novice
stage.
Strengths
One of the biggest strength of a new APN is the vast knowledge on the evidence based
nursing practice. New APN can apply this knowledge into clinical practice to provide safe,

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effective, quality care to patients (Hellier, & Cline, 2016). The knowledge enhances confidence
in fulfilling the expectations and responsibilities of APNs.
In our professional role as APNs, we are responsible to care for others. Communication is
important during caring for patients. Patients and providers must communicate. Good, and
productive communication is associated with diagnostic accuracy, patient’s adherence to medical
regiment, patient safety and satisfaction (Koo, Horowitz, Radice, Wang, & Kleinman, 2016). Our
strength lies on our ability to giving full attention to what other people said, to explain, listen and
empathize. Our precision and great attention to detail are what setting us apart from the rest.
Weaknesses
Lack of clinical experience makes you feel insecure and insufficiently prepared to begin
practice. Your clinical decision making is clouded by a heavy fog of doubt. You are asking
million questions every day. Even you patients would know that you don’t know what you are
doing. Fitzpatrick, & Gripshover (2016) coined the term “transition shock” as the experience of
moving from the student role to an unfamiliar territory of APN. This gap between expectations
and practice causes stress, anxiety, doubts their choice of career and the investment of the years
of study. However, as the New APN acquires competence in performing patient care, she/he will
become more confident and will take on more responsibilities, and more importantly strive to
meet role expectations.
Goals
Setting goals steer you in the right direction for success, boost motivation and self-
confidence. One short term personal goal for the newly APN graduate is passing the national
certification exam for recognition to practice. Following certification, NP will need to secure
employment which will enable to apply the knowledge and skills learned/gained in school to

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practice. Provide acute, chronic, and preventative care for patients of all ages is the main goal of
NP. As you become proficient, you will strive to be a leader in my field with patients and