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.
How Has Access to Nursing Student Loans Changed in 2026?
March 30, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSNThe OBBBA and Department of Education changes make graduate nursing education less affordable. These barriers to advanced nursing education will result in scarcer qualified candidates pursuing advanced practice roles in anesthesia, leadership, nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialties. That means fewer advanced practice nurses, educators, and researchers entering the workforce.
A Comprehensive Guide to NP Subspecialties
March 26, 2026 – Matt ZbrogThe first NP programs were only established in 1965. Since then, however, the NP role has matured to incorporate several specialties and even more subspecialties, each with its own tailored training programs and niche certification processes.
Day in the Life of a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NP)
March 25, 2026 – Matt ZbrogNeonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) provide care to high-risk infants. They primarily work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) but have expanded into several other settings in recent years.
The Process to Become a Nurse Practitioner – What to Know
March 20, 2026 – Kimmy GustafsonToday, nurse practitioners are licensed independent healthcare practitioners who provide high-quality medical care to all types of patients. They have completed additional education beyond an initial nursing program, holding either master’s of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree.
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for Nurse Practitioners: What to Know
March 19, 2026 – Becca Brewer, MEdWith three out of every four NPs staring down a debt horizon, understanding student loan forgiveness may spell the difference between a career that feels like indentured servitude and one that feels like a career choice made freely.
What are New Nurse Practitioners’ Most Common Mistakes?
March 18, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSNNew NPs frequently suffer through self-doubt or poor time management and may be afraid to ask for help. They are prone to burnout and may find it difficult to think outside the box or understand their scope of practice. New NPs should prioritize self-care and seek support from a mentor or a colleague.
Entrepreneurship & Business Ideas for NPs
March 17, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSNSome business ideas for NPs include starting a private practice such as a medical spa, concierge medicine office, or telemedicine practice. They can start an intravenous infusion center, an online scrubs store, or a home health agency. NPs can use their experience to become a nurse coach or craft NP student education resources.
Taxes for Nurse Practitioners: W-2 Employee vs. 1099 Contractor
March 16, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSNThere are pros and cons of being paid as a W-2 employee and being a 1099 contractor or self-employed. Some may prefer having benefits being a W-2 employee, such as health insurance, whereas some prefer being a 1099 contractor, where the hourly pay tends to be higher.
APRNs in Retail-Based Clinics – What to Know
March 13, 2026 – Nina ChamlouRetail-based clinics (also known as convenient care clinics, retail clinics, and limited services clinics) provide basic care services in pharmacies, grocery stores, and “big box” stores, such as Target and Walmart.
The Alarming Nursing Educator Shortage
March 12, 2026 – Kimmy GustafsonAcross the United States, the nursing workforce crisis is being fueled by a lesser-known but deeply consequential problem: a severe shortage of nurse educators. While demand for nurses continues to rise, nursing schools are unable to expand enrollment fast enough to meet workforce needs.