Day in the Life of Nurse Practitioner (NP) Professionals

Advanced practice nurses such as NPs can choose to focus on specific populations or conditions. This section explores what to expect from various subfields of the discipline. Each piece details first-hand knowledge of the working environment, clinical and non-clinical teams, daily responsibilities, required skills and knowledge, and certifications within each specialization or subspecialization.

Day in the Life of a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner (NP)

December 28, 2023 – Matt Zbrog

The ways in which we understand, treat, and manage pain are continuing to evolve at a rapid pace, applying increasingly nuanced and individual approaches to what was once seen as a uniform symptom. Pain management NPs are at the forefront of that evolution, helping to pioneer the biopsychosocial model of pain management and push the field forward through research into multimodal methods of treating pain.

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

December 12, 2023 – Matt Zbrog

Nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice providers play an increasingly important role in the American healthcare system. These are expertly trained health professionals capable of providing high-quality, cost-effective care to an aging population with varied needs. NPs deal in far more than just primary care: since the NP role was established in 1965, it’s grown to include a number of specializations, including gastroenterology.

An Expert’s Bona Fide Guide: Life as a Transplant Nurse Practitioner (NP)

December 7, 2023 – Matt Zbrog

The first successful kidney transplant was performed in 1954, signaling a new era in medical practice. Today, transplants of kidneys, lungs, hearts, livers, and pancreata are all considered routine procedures. Alongside the development of immunosuppressant drugs and an increasing number of donors, more and more patients can live longer, healthier lives: 2021 set the record for the most organ transplants in the United States.

Day in the Life of a Hospice & Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner (NP)

November 28, 2023 – Matt Zbrog

Palliative care is a medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses and the side effects of their treatment; hospice care focuses on the palliation of terminally ill patients towards the end of their life. Both are of critical importance.

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

November 28, 2023 – Matt Zbrog

Forensic nurse practitioners (NPs) combine the nursing, forensic, and legal sciences to bring safety, medical treatment, and justice to their patients. Within a specialized practice setting, they apply a core forensic nursing education that informs a holistic, patient-centered, trauma-aware approach to the traditional NP role.

A Day in the Life of a Telecommuting Nurse Practitioner

March 22, 2023 – 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.

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

February 13, 2023 – Matt Zbrog

Nephrology nurse practitioners (Nephrology NPs) specialize in issues related to the kidneys. A recognized specialty for over 45 years, nephrology is a mature and wide-ranging practice area that includes disease prevention, diagnostic assessment, disease management, patient advocacy, and much more.

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

February 6, 2023 – Matt Zbrog

Throughout most of history, the standard of care in correctional medicine has been poor, but correctional NPs have helped change it for the better. This is a young and impactful specialty practice area where NPs can play a significant role in shaping the future of the field.

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

December 7, 2022 – Matt Zbrog

December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month. It’s an opportunity to spread awareness about how far medical science has come with HIV and AIDS, and also a chance to celebrate the crucial work with communities at risk for, and living with, HIV and AIDS.

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

October 3, 2022 – Matt Zbrog

Nurse 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.