NPSchools.com Nursing Features
The nurse practitioner profession is growing at a rapid pace. And with growth comes change. Today’s nurse practitioners are dealing with staff shortages in rural areas, changes in educational standards, and battles for wider practice authority in select states. What will tomorrow’s nurse practitioners be concerned with? Our interview-based features and in-depth resource guides uncover the stories behind the big issues by talking to nurse practitioners who know the subject best.
Ask a Professor: The Practice Environment in Nevada
April 26, 2024 – Matt ZbrogAmerica needs more primary care providers. With the nation’s largest generation advancing into old age, medical schools can’t graduate physicians quickly enough to meet the population’s increasingly complex needs. Fortunately, Nevada has a growing workforce of expertly-trained healthcare professionals who are well-equipped to help address the state’s unique needs: nurse practitioners.
Day in the Life of a Urologic Nurse Practitioner (NP)
April 23, 2024 – Matt ZbrogNurse practitioners (NPs) who specialize in urology focus on issues related to the upper and lower urinary tract system, which includes the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. Urologic NPs may also treat conditions involving the reproductive system.
An NP’s Guide to the Latest Weight Loss Medications
April 15, 2024 – Sophia Khawly, MSNIt has been exciting for both patients and providers to have a new treatment option for obesity. The GLP-1 medications such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have proven to be effective in weight loss. However, just like any medication, side effects may occur.
Day in the Life of a Surgical Nurse Practitioner (NP)
April 12, 2024 – Matt ZbrogSurgical NPs specialize in one or more aspects of surgical care. Often beginning their career with training as acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs), their work environment typically exists within a hospital, but they can work anywhere there’s an operating room or clinic.
Ask a Professor: The NP Practice Environment in Kentucky
April 8, 2024 – Matt ZbrogMedical schools aren’t graduating enough primary care physicians fast enough to match the growing demand for their services. But they also shouldn’t have to: Kentucky’s nurse practitioners (NPs) are a valuable resource in fighting back against the primary care crunch and increasing healthcare access to those who need it.
Ask a Professor: The NP Practice Environment in Indiana
February 20, 2024 – Matt ZbrogLike many other states, Indiana desperately needs an influx of capable and cost-efficient primary care providers. But medical schools can’t graduate enough physicians to meet the need, and fewer physicians are going into primary care than ever before. NPs could be a significant part of the solution to Indiana’s healthcare shortages.
Ask the Professors: How Texas NPs Can Fight the Rural Health Crisis
February 13, 2024 – Matt ZbrogTexas is home to the largest rural population of any state. But, according to the Texas Hospital Association, only 27 percent of the state’s hospitals are located in rural areas. This disparity has been compounded in recent years by the closure of more than 20 rural hospitals, largely due to uncompensated care (Texas is the uninsured capital of America). When hospitals close, they take primary care providers and partner clinics along with them.
Choosing an NP Specialization or Sub-specialty: Your Options & The Selection Process
February 8, 2024 – Sophia Khawly, MSNWhen choosing an NP specialty or sub-specialty, the NP should consider their past experiences as a nurse, and if they want to continue working in a similar specialty or try something different. They should contemplate if they would like to prioritize pay, work-life balance, or job satisfaction. They should also examine if they are looking for a field to be comfortable in or one that will challenge them.
Pros and Cons of Working in Telemedicine: An NP’s Perspective
February 1, 2024 – Sophia Khawly, MSNOver the last several years, telemedicine has changed the healthcare landscape. It is estimated that there are at least 158 million telemedicine visits annually. Telemedicine is a popular benefit because it allows patients to communicate with health professionals without visiting the office. The appointments are convenient because the patient can talk to the provider by phone or video from the convenience of their home. It is also affordable for patients without health insurance who need simple treatment.
Best Small and Mid-sized Hospitals for Nurse Practitioners
January 30, 2024 – Kimmy GustafsonChoosing the right place to work can significantly impact a nurse practitioner's career. While there are significant benefits to working at large hospitals, small and mid-sized hospitals can offer many unique opportunities for nurse practitioners, from a close-knit community feel to specialized patient care. Smaller institutions also allow for greater role flexibility and the opportunity to work on more unique cases.