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: How Florida’s NPs Are Fighting for Full Practice Authority

January 28, 2026 – Matt Zbrog

Florida has over 24,000 nurse practitioners. These are highly trained healthcare providers who are adept at diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medicines, and treating diseases in both acute and primary care settings.

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

January 26, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

Working in locum tenens can prevent burn-out. The NP has control over their schedule and is able to avoid bureaucratic challenges at the workplace since they are only there for a limited period of time. It enables providers to have a better work-life balance.

PNP-AC (Acute Care) vs. PNP-PC (Primary Care)

January 23, 2026 – Kimmy Gustafson

This guide explains the similarities and differences between acute and primary care pediatric nurse practitioner specialties to help current and future nurse practitioners decide which path is right for them.

Acute Care AG-ACNP vs. Primary Care AG-PCNP

January 22, 2026 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

There are two adult gerontology specializations: acute care and primary care. In general, acute care is focused on illness and injuries, and primary care focuses on wellness and prevention.

Moving from Fee for Service to a Value-Based Reimbursement Model

January 21, 2026 – Celeste Williams, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Nurse practitioners have an opportunity to reconnect with the reasons they became nurse practitioners: to care for people, to improve their health and wellbeing, and to make a positive difference in their lives. Moving from fee for service allows us to shift the focus from volume to providing better care.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) vs. Registered Nurse (RN)

January 20, 2026 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

There’s nothing small about nursing. By the numbers, in 2024, there were nearly 3.3 million registered nurses (RNs) in the United States, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) shows nurses outnumber physicians by more than four to one. 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.

A Guide to Malpractice Insurance for NPs

January 14, 2026 – Matt Zbrog

Malpractice insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, does just that: it protects NPs from the costs associated with claims of negligence or incompetence, including costs related to liability and legal defense. As the role and responsibility of NPs continue to increase, it’s essential that NPs be adequately covered.

Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medicines? What to Know

January 9, 2026 – Matt Zbrog

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are an essential component of the American healthcare system. They provide high-quality, cost-effective care and significantly increase healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas. But in many states, NPs face obtuse and outdated regulations that inhibit their ability to prescribe certain medicines, devices, and services to their patients.

An Expert’s Guide: Life as a Hospice & Palliative Care NP

January 5, 2026 – 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.

How to Make NP School More Affordable

January 2, 2026 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

Nurses can apply for scholarships, enroll in student loan forgiveness programs, and have tuition covered by their employer or the military. They should choose a cost-effective program and borrow responsibly. They should also consider working while in school and saving on ordinary living expenses.