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.

NP vs Physician / Medical Doctor (MD)

October 7, 2022 – Matt Zbrog

While NPs and MDs may perform many of the same roles in some geographies and specialties, they will perform drastically different roles in others. But the NP role continues to evolve rapidly, and the differences aren’t as drastic as they were 20 years ago.

Why Aren’t There More Male Nurse Practitioners?

October 5, 2022 – Matt Zbrog

According to 2022 data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), female NPs outnumber male NPs by more than eight to one in the US. That’s only marginally better than the gender ratio for all nurses in the US, which is just under ten to one in favor of female nurses.

NP vs Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

September 29, 2022 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

Each state board of nursing (SBON) has unique definitions, but the four common APRN titles are nurse practitioners (NPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), and certified nurse-midwives (CNM).

Day in the Life of an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (NP)

September 26, 2022 – Matt Zbrog

Orthopedics is a specialty dealing with issues related to muscles and bones. If that sounds like a large swathe of medical territory, that’s because it is: approximately one in three people in the US are affected by a musculoskeletal condition.

Day in the Life of a Pulmonology Nurse Practitioner (NP)

September 20, 2022 – Matt Zbrog

Pulmonology NPs specialize in issues related to the respiratory system. Those issues can include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and sleep apnea. They can work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, treating both acute and chronic conditions.

Ask a Professor: The Practice Environment in Connecticut

September 15, 2022 – Matt Zbrog

To practice in Connecticut as a nurse practitioner (NP) requires an understanding of coexisting extremes. The third smallest state in the nation, Connecticut is also the fourth most densely populated, and income inequality is one of its top health challenges. But in this relatively tiny area, an enviable amount of good exists: public health funding is up 47 percent year-over-year, and the state is ranked third best in the US for overall health outcomes, according to the United Health Foundation (UHF).

How Can I Become an NP Without a Nursing Degree?

September 12, 2022 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

If you’re ready for a career change and to make a difference in people’s lives, read on for a step-by-step guide to becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) without a nursing degree.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) vs Physician Assistant or Associate (PA)

September 7, 2022 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

Pursuing a clinical healthcare career isn’t limited to becoming a physician. With a two-year master’s degree, one can become a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician associate/assistant (PA) and provide primary or specialized care in clinical settings.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) vs Registered Nurse (RN)

August 31, 2022 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

The demand for registered nurses and nurse practitioners is fueled by increased patient loads brought on by expanded health insurance, a nursing retirement surge, and the healthcare needs of the large Baby Boomer population.

Investments & Financial Planning for Nurse Practitioners (NPs)

August 24, 2022 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

NPs are high-salary professionals and should take the time to learn how to save and invest their money. By using the saving vehicles below, they can decrease their tax burden and optimize their path to financial success.