Experts

Both current and aspiring advanced practice nurses can benefit from the advice of seasoned professionals. Through interviews and expert-written content from professors, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and other APRNs, discover what to expect from various career paths, including information about job challenges and state practice authority laws.

An NP’s Guide to the Latest Weight Loss Medications

April 15, 2024 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

It has been exciting for both patients and providers to have a new treatment option for obesity. The GLP-1 medications such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have proven to be effective in weight loss. However, just like any medication, side effects may occur.

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

April 12, 2024 – Matt Zbrog

Surgical NPs specialize in one or more aspects of surgical care. Often beginning their career with training as acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs), their work environment typically exists within a hospital, but they can work anywhere there’s an operating room or clinic.

Ask a Professor: The NP Practice Environment in Kentucky

April 8, 2024 – Matt Zbrog

Medical schools aren’t graduating enough primary care physicians fast enough to match the growing demand for their services. But they also shouldn’t have to: Kentucky’s nurse practitioners (NPs) are a valuable resource in fighting back against the primary care crunch and increasing healthcare access to those who need it.

Ask the Professors: How Texas NPs Can Fight the Rural Health Crisis

February 13, 2024 – Matt Zbrog

Texas is home to the largest rural population of any state. But, according to the Texas Hospital Association, only 27 percent of the state’s hospitals are located in rural areas. This disparity has been compounded in recent years by the closure of more than 20 rural hospitals, largely due to uncompensated care (Texas is the uninsured capital of America). When hospitals close, they take primary care providers and partner clinics along with them.

Choosing an NP Specialization or Sub-specialty: Your Options & The Selection Process

February 8, 2024 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

When choosing an NP specialty or sub-specialty, the NP should consider their past experiences as a nurse, and if they want to continue working in a similar specialty or try something different. They should contemplate if they would like to prioritize pay, work-life balance, or job satisfaction. They should also examine if they are looking for a field to be comfortable in or one that will challenge them.

Pros and Cons of Working in Telemedicine: An NP’s Perspective

February 1, 2024 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

Over the last several years, telemedicine has changed the healthcare landscape. It is estimated that there are at least 158 million telemedicine visits annually. Telemedicine is a popular benefit because it allows patients to communicate with health professionals without visiting the office. The appointments are convenient because the patient can talk to the provider by phone or video from the convenience of their home. It is also affordable for patients without health insurance who need simple treatment.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Pediatric Patients & Teams: An Interview with Dr. Jessica Peck, DNP

January 23, 2024 – Rachel Drummond, MEd

As we begin a slow and steady recovery from the worldwide devastation of Covid-19, parents and caretakers are wondering: “How will our children be affected by this pandemic?” After more than a year of living, working, and schooling at home in isolation, every aspect of family, personal, and professional life has dramatically shifted in ways that no one could have predicted.

Ask a Professor: The Fight for Full Practice Authority in Illinois

January 17, 2024 – Matt Zbrog

The US is headed towards a healthcare crunch, with Baby Boomers retiring faster than medical schools can graduate an adequate number of physicians. The need for qualified healthcare professionals is acute and increasing. Nurse practitioners (NPs) could play a prominent role in meeting that need.

An NP’s Perspective: How Nurse Practitioners Can Decrease Healthcare Costs

January 4, 2024 – Sophia Khawly, MSN

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, nurse practitioners are a proven answer to the evolving movement towards preventative health care and wellness. Evidence has proven that NPs consistently provide cost-effective, high-quality care to patients. This has been exhibited in various healthcare settings, such as primary care, acute care, and long-term care.

Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medicines? What to Know

December 7, 2023 – 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.