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.

Entrepreneurship & Business Ideas for NPs

March 17, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

Some 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, MSN

There 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 Chamlou

Retail-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 Gustafson

Across 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.

The Process to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – What to Know

March 11, 2026 – Kimmy Gustafson

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses with specialized training in psychiatry and mental health. Not only do they provide psychotherapy services, but they can also prescribe medications based on a client’s needs. Their duties include everything from assessing a client’s mental health, diagnosing mental health illnesses and writing a treatment plan.

Social Determinants of Health and Their Effect on Health Outcomes: A Case Study

March 10, 2026 – Celeste Williams, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

The Marshallese make up no more than 3 percent of Northwest Arkansas’ population, but in July of 2020 they had suffered half of the Covid-19 deaths in the region. In order to understand how this occurred we will look at the social determinants that led to such disparity and negative health outcomes.

A Day in the Life of a Telecommuting Nurse Practitioner

March 9, 2026 – Becca Brewer, MEd

A 100 percent telecommuting NP works in a software-based virtual environment in the physical location of their choice. The only real requirement of a telecommuting NP’s physical work environment is that they can connect to the internet and maintain patient confidentiality throughout the duration of virtual, email, phone, and/or video-based visits.

Ask a Professor: The Fight for Expanded Practice Authority for Ohio’s NPs

February 13, 2026 – Matt Zbrog

As the Baby Boomers retire, the nation is experiencing a dire lack of primary care providers. Medical schools are not graduating enough primary care physicians to meet the needs of an aging population—and Ohio is not immune from the crisis.

Interview with Past NAPNAP President Dr. Jessica Peck

February 12, 2026 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

While widespread uncertainty has created unprecedented challenges for people, patients, and healthcare teams, Dr. Jessica Peck remains hopeful in the difference she and nursing colleagues are making through their clinical and advocacy work for children and other vulnerable groups.

Pros and Cons of Being a Psychiatric-Mental Health NP

February 10, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

Psych NPs require empathy, integrity, and a good understanding of medicine and healthcare. They can work in various settings such as hospitals, mental health centers, corrections, addiction centers, or private practice. There are many advantages and disadvantages of working as a psych NP.