Four Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My DNP

I, like many of my classmates, returned to school after a wide array of experiences and a lot of expertise in nursing. While having that knowledge was incredibly helpful, learning to think and respond as a nurse practitioner is an entirely different experience. You are used to knowing what to do, you are sure of yourself and have confidence in your nursing skills. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. You are building a new skill set, and that takes time and practice. You didn’t become the nurse you are over night, but you did get there and you will again.

The exams in the program are built to challenge you and push your thinking. Be prepared for the difficulty by staying organized and developing a strong, consistent study plan right from the start. Spacing out studying allows you to understand the material rather than memorize it. There is just too much content to tackle right before the test date. Success comes from steady preparation over time. I had three key strategies for success: First, I have to write things out by hand. Google docs and PowerPoints are great, but there is science that shows students remember much more when they write things down rather than type them out. Second, I had to just shut my phone off. All the way powered down. Third, I read through my notes almost every day. 

When you get into your clinicals, everything comes together. All the pieces and parts that you have learned along the way finally make sense. You will see how the theory informs practice and how you truly impact patient outcomes. In these moments you will remember why you are a nurse and why you are pursuing an advanced degree. Clinical experiences challenge you, shape you and remind you of the purpose behind the hard work.

I chose a career path in higher education rather than a clinical role. Without my DNP, my options in academia would have been limited. While this was not my short-term plan, I love what I am doing and could not be happier with my choice. You will have moments that you doubt yourself and your decision to return to school. You will want to give up. Don’t. It is totally worth it! 

Emily Vezina is a clinical assistant professor at the UB School of Nursing and a family nurse practitioner who works as a clinical stroke coordinator at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. She has over 20 years of health care experience in a wide variety of clinical roles, including oncology, procedure labs, front-line management and executive leadership. Vezina earned Doctor of Nursing Practice, master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the UB School of Nursing.