As a training nurse practitioner or physician associate, you’ve made it through years of classes, clinical hours, and certifications, learned the ins and outs of the job, and developed an arsenal of clinical knowledge. But to finally bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and practical application, you need to establish one final, essential skill: clinical confidence. In this blog, we’ll dive into what clinical confidence means, and why it’s crucial to master for advanced practice providers (APPs).
Clinical confidence can be defined as a stable sense of certainty and self-assurance in one’s abilities, skills, and clinical knowledge. This deeply felt sense of self-reliance is necessary to transition from theoretical or case study-based situations to real-life clinical settings. Clinical confidence is vital for nurse practitioners and physician associates to achieve for any clinical setting—where the stakes are considerably higher. With real lives and futures in your hands, it’s crucial that you remain calm, collected, and confident in your abilities.
Patients and the collaborative team depend on nurse practitioners and physician associates to remain confident and deliver the highest quality care possible. When NPs and PAs feel secure in their own abilities, the impact on patient care and job satisfaction is undeniable.
“I think it’s a worthwhile program for both brand-new graduates as well as people who have been in practice for a couple of years but just really want a little more depth of information to help support their practice.”
Kathryn Feeney, NP, Federally Qualified Healthcare Center
As NPs and PAs enter the medical field, a gap can exist between education and practice that sometimes feels like a chasm. Yet this “chasm” is not impossible to bridge, and savvy NPs and PAs have employed a variety of strategies to transition from the classroom to the clinic with confidence.
First, it’s essential to establish a support network. Seek out experienced practitioners and clinicians willing to provide mentorship, insights, and advice backed by their real-world experience. Engage with peers and colleagues who can offer support and encouragement.
It's also important to remember that your medical education is never truly complete. In a field as fluid and ever evolving as medicine, it’s vital to keep up with the latest medical literature, breakthrough research, and evolving methods and techniques. Continuous learning and self-assessment keep you knowledgeable, up to date, and clinically confident.
In a hospital or clinical setting, NPs and APs interact with patients, coworkers, and supervisors on a regular basis, so developing healthy communication skills is a must. When it comes to patients, it’s important to listen actively, show empathy, and involve patients in their own care decisions. When patients feel understood and respected, they’re more likely to follow treatment plans. It’s equally important to communicate effectively with peers and colleagues. Remember that you’re on the same team, not in competition with one another. When conflicts or differences of opinion arise, approach them candidly and with respect.
Lastly, it goes without saying that hands-on experience has the power to boost clinical confidence more than any other method. The value of real, tangible experience in medicine cannot be overstated. Working hands-on is the best way to gain technical knowledge, sharpen your skills, and develop clinical confidence.
A strong medical knowledge base forms the foundation for clinical confidence. Once you achieve mastery over a subject, it’s easy to feel confident, self-assured, and ready to handle whatever comes your way. Combining technical knowledge with clinical confidence is the synergetic formula you need to provide effective and empathetic patient care.
As Dr. Neil Stone notes in the American Journal of Medicine, clinical confidence begins with the three Cs: caring, communicating, and competence. When you come from a place of deep empathy and understanding, communicate openly and honestly, and possess a well of medical knowledge from which to draw, patients notice. They feel respected, understood, and certain that their needs are being cared for.
Below, see Dr. Stone’s most common answers to the question “what gives you confidence in a medical professional?” The results speak for themselves:
Drawing on Dr. Stone’s three Cs, doctors, NPs, and PAs alike can inspire confidence not only in themselves, but also in their patients.
At ThriveAP, you can gain the didactic education, practical and applicable skills, and clinical confidence you need to thrive in your advanced practice profession. As a transition to practice education solution, ThriveAP provides enhanced clinical skills training and professional development for advanced practice providers, with expert instruction taught by board certified, practicing faculty.
Our 12-month program features 46 weekly, live didactic virtual courses broken down into 10 core curriculum blocks. You’ll also receive access to our live, dynamic Rise & Thrive Workshop Series (offering additional CME/CE), designed to cover emerging and trending topics every APP needs to know to stay up to date, ranging in subject matter from obesity management to EKG interpretation to renal medication dosage.
We’ve designed the ThriveAP programs with NPs and PAs like you in mind. We understand that your schedules are busy and often unpredictable, so we offer rolling enrollment—allowing you to start whenever it’s most convenient for you. Meanwhile, our Learning Management System (LMS) keeps track of your courses for you, streamlining the learning process so that you can focus on developing your skills and empowering clinical confidence.
In the journey from classroom to clinic, the bridge of clinical confidence is essential. It is the linchpin that transforms theoretical knowledge into practical, life-saving skills. Building clinical confidence involves creating a support network, staying committed to lifelong learning, honing communication skills, and hands-on experience.
Remember, clinical confidence isn't just a matter of knowledge—it's a blend of empathy, professional acumen, and competence. When patients feel heard and understood, they trust in your care. It's a connection that transcends textbooks and charts.
For those seeking to bolster both technical knowledge and clinical confidence, ThriveAP offers a comprehensive program designed to equip nurse practitioners and physician associates with the skills they need to excel. With expert instruction and a flexible schedule, ThriveAP empowers you to strengthen your clinical confidence and watch as it transforms not only your practice, but the lives of those you serve.
For more clinical tips & pearls of wisdom, apply to enroll in one of ThriveAP’s transition to practice curriculums.