Nurse Practitioner Articles

Last Updated/Verified: Jun 23, 2024

Nurse Practitioner Hot Topics

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How Nurse Practitioners Are Closing the Healthcare Gap in Rural America

Nurse practitioners play a critical role in alleviating healthcare shortages in rural areas. Learn why NPs are revered in rural communities and what specializations are in demand.

Acute care nurse practitioner caring for female patient in a hospital bed.
Pros and Cons of Becoming an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

Trying to decide on whether or not a career as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) is right for you? Read here for a breakdown of the pros and cons of becoming on.

Highest paying nurse practitioner states featuring a map of the US with a stethoscope on it
These 5 States Pay the Highest Salaries for Nurse Practitioners

Looking to relocate as a nurse practitcioner? Check out these five states where nurse practitioners make decent earnings!

Nurse Practitioner smiling in hospital setting
DNP or MSN: Which Degree Pathway is Better for NPs?

Weigh the pros and cons and requirements for these two nurse practitioner degrees.

Nurse Practitioner holding up a piggy bank
The 5 Highest-Paid Nurse Practitioner Specializations

Wondering which Nurse Practitioner specialties are the most lucrative? Check out some high-paying NP careers here.

Pediatric nurse giving a high-five to a child in a hospital bed
Love Working with Kids? Here Are 5 Nurse Practitioner Specializations to Consider

Are you considering a nurse practitioner career but also want to work with kids? Take a look at these youth-focused nurse practitioner specializations..

Map of USA with stethoscope
The 5 States With the Most Need for Nurse Practitioners

Looking to relocate to another state as a nurse practitioner? Here are five states with the most need for nurse practitioners.

Family Nurse Practitioner greeting patient
7 Pros and Cons of Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Take a closer look at the pros and cons of becoming a family nurse practitioner.

MSN nursing student in college classroom with backpack and books.
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Enrolling in an MSN Program as a Nurse Practitioner

Enrolling in a Nurse Practitioner MSN program can be a lengthy process with little room for error. Read here to learn what to look out for.

AGNP vs ACNP
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner vs. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: What’s the Difference?

Two similar but very different nurse practitioner specialties are Acute Care Nurse Practitioners and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners. Learn the subtle differences and similarities in this infomative article.

High-level DNP nurse in medical office
Getting Your DNP: Is it Worth it for Nurse Practitioners?

Are you an aspiring nurse practitioner trying to decide between an MSN or DNP? We break down the pros and cons here!

Woman filling out DNP program applications online at home
DNP Prerequisites: Know Before You Apply Online

Start applying to DNP programs online by getting to know the DNP prerequisites.

Nurse practitioner students in class
How Hard Is it to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

An overview of what it takes to become a nurse practitioner

DNP by 2025? 4 Reasons to Support DNP Entry-to-Practice

There is a push to eliminate the MSN in favor of the DNP entry-to-practice for nurse practitioners and other APRNs by 2025 - learn about the pros and cons.

Have You Seen “FAANP” After a Nurse Practitioner’s Credentials and Wondered What It Means?

Being elected as a FAANP is the highest professional designation for a nurse practitioner. Learn more about what this credential means.

Clinical-Community Linkages: Why Public Health Needs Nurse Practitioners

Public health and nurse practitioners can work together to improve the health of their patients and communities through clinical community linkages (CCL).

Six Nurse Practitioner Visionaries You Should Know About

These six non-conformist nurse practitioners demonstrate strength, innovative action, and growth.

The Personality Pandemic: Managing 6 Common Character Traits During COVID-19

As NPs are often asked to weigh in on COVID-19, these six patient personalities should be carefully considered.

Is the DNP Worth It? Four Reasons Why Nurse Practitioners May Feel Cautious

Pros and cons to earning the DNP degree - the highest degree level a nurse practitioner can hold.

Public Health Simulations: How I Learned What I Thought I Knew

Public health simulations can give nurse practitioners a unique perspective to bring to their practice.

Is Full Practice Authority Here to Stay? How COVID-19 is Advancing the Future of Nurse Practitioner Practice

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the subject of nurse practitioner full practice authority. How will we approach a post-pandemic society in regards to NP practice?

Nurse Practitioner Students

Acute care NP, critical care NP and trauma care NP in a hospital setting
What’s the Difference Between Acute Care, Critical Care, and Trauma Nurse Practitioner Roles?

Learn about the similarities and differences between 3 Nurse Practitioner specialties: Acute Care, Critical Care, and Trauma NP

Male nursing student at laptop completing an online MSN degree.
7 Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner MSN Programs for 2024

Learn more about cost-effective online Nurse Practitioner MSN degree programs available nationwide.

Doctor of Nursing Practice in a hospital hallway with other medical personnel
Getting Your DNP: How Long Does it Take?

Find out how long the typical DNP program lasts, and factors that contribute to the length.

The role of the nurse practitioner
The Evolving Role of Nurse Practitioners: Advancing Patient Care and Bridging the Gap in Healthcare

Learn how nurse practitioners are changing the landscape of healthcare

What I Wish I Had Known as a New NP

From taking board certification exams to landing a job and establishing a new career, an experienced NP shares what she wished she had known as a new grad.

4 Tips to Succeed in Nurse Practitioner Clinical Rotations

Becoming a lifelong learner is part of being a successful nurse, but for an RN with prior clinical experience, it can be hard to take on these NP opportunities with fresh eyes. Here are four tips to maximize your NP learning experience.

Student Loan Forgiveness: 4 Options for Nurse Practitioners

Learn about the Federal student loan forgiveness programs available to nurse practitioners that help ease the financial burden of an NP degree.

Dear NP Student, From a New Grad NP: Study Tips

You may discover that NP school will be one of the most difficult academic endeavors you experience. At the end of the day, any NP role requires a great deal of studying and the ability to put complex material into practice. Here are some study tips for NP students.

What Is the Role of the Nurse Practitioner Student in Clinical Rotations?

The NP student should have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities to maximize their time during clinical rotations.

Securing Nurse Practitioner Preceptors: Why Are Some Schools and Students Paying for the Privilege?

Securing preceptors for clinical rotations is a challenging task for NPs, and there's a growing trend of nursing schools and even students paying for preceptorships.

Is a Nurse Practitioner Residency Program for You? Weighing the Odds and the Need for Programs in Every State

Nurse Practitioners can gain valuable experience shadowing experienced NPs through post-graduate residency programs. Learn the pros and cons of nurse residency programs.

New Graduate Nurse Practitioners: Keep Learning to Build Confidence

Learn how to build and maintain confidence as a new-graduate nurse practitioner to foster success and lifelong learning.

Working Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioner in a non-clinical role at desk with computer
Exploring Non-Clinical Career Paths for Nurse Practitioners

Learn about the top non-clinical career pathways for nurse practitioners, including info on the education needed to obtain them.

6 Steps NPs Can Take to Create High-Level Patient Care Teams

Nurse practitioners are able to create and lead patient care teams, and creating a "work family" should be a key priority for NPs.

Breaking Down the Differential Diagnosis for the New NP

Developing a differential diagnosis is an incredibly important skill for an NP to master, as it is a foundation for providing excellent patient care.

Acing the Virtual Job Interview: 6 Tips for Nurse Practitioners

As a nurse practitioner, you may be more used to communicating in person. However, virtual job interviews for NPs are becoming common. Here are 6 tips to ace the video interview.

Make the Right Decision: Managing Decision Fatigue as a Nurse Practitioner

Understanding what decision fatigue is, how it presents itself, and effective ways to prevent it will significantly impact the health and job performance of nurse practitioners and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.

Is A ‘Locum Tenens’ Job For You? The Pros and Cons for Nurse Practitioners

Now is the ideal time for NPs to consider temporary clinical assignments—better known as ‘locum tenens’ jobs. These assignments cover all medical specialties and practice settings, with durations ranging from days to months.

4 Essential Projects to Improve Primary Care Office Flow for Nurse Practitioners

Continual monitoring of primary care workflow for NPs leads to efficient patient appointments and potentially better patient outcomes.

5 Unexpected Perks of Joining a Professional Nurse Practitioner Organization

Joining a professional nurse practitioner organization offers an opportunity to develop relationships, share ideas, and expand your network.

Tips and Tricks For Nurse Practitioner Networking

Networking as a nurse practitioner may land you in a top working environment, or provide you with connections that can continue to benefit you as you transform your professional identity.

Keeping Your Sanity: How to Prevent Nurse Practitioner Burnout

It has become increasingly crucial for nurse practitioners to recognize what burnout looks like, the different causes, and how it can be prevented and treated.

How NPs Can Tackle Difficult Conversations with Patients and Families

Difficult patient interactions will inevitably occur in a nurse practitioner’s career. However, it is the NP’s responsibility to serve as a trusted resource in their patient’s care.

A 7 Step Health Policy Toolkit to Flex Your Political Muscle as a Nurse Practitioner

Busy NPs are often unfamiliar with and intimidated by the political process. However, as patient care champions, NPs also offer a unique view of community and health care needs.

7 Resources for Nurse Practitioners to Decode Primary Care Billing and Coding

Insurance reimbursements, billing, and coding basics for nurse practitioners and other providers who work in or own their own primary care practice

Are You Stressed About Negotiating Your NP Contract? Follow These Four Steps to Success

Find out the steps to make negotiating your Nurse Practitioner contract a breeze

5 Must-Have Apps & Tools for Nurse Practitioners in the Clinical Setting

While technology makes looking things up much faster and easier than ever before, keep in mind that these tools are for reference only.

Conquer Uniqueness: 5 Novel Ways to Educate Yourself and Expand Your Advanced Practice Nursing Career

Explore the following opportunities to strengthen leadership and find additional value in your Nurse Practitioner role.

New Graduate Nurse Practitioners: Keep Learning to Build Confidence

Learn how to build and maintain confidence as a new-graduate nurse practitioner to foster success and lifelong learning.