Showing posts relating to: General

Trend Watch: Jogger Scrub Bottoms

August 16, 2018

I fell head over heels for the skinny scrub bottom look last year. Especially the skinny jogger scrub look. But, I was pregnant. In my not-so-skinny, not-so-athletic state I wasn't ready to test out the trend when I first spotted it hitting hospital floors. Now, with a 9-month-old, I'm back in action and mentally and physically prepared to discuss all things healthcare fashion.

Here's How Much Nurse Practitioners Earn (On Average)

August 16, 2018

Are you being paid fairly? Or, if you're thinking of becoming a nurse practitioner, how much can you expect to earn? It's pretty hard to pin exact numbers down. Some online polls show salaries that lead to dreams of a McMansion and a new car in the garage (or maybe just paying for your kids' college). Other online surveys indicate that you're probably better off keeping your job as an RN rather than making the investment of going back to school. Given the wide variety of unofficial information out there about NP salaries, we feel it's best to stick to official sources.

Tylenol vs. Ibuprofen: Which is Better for Fever?

August 14, 2018

Ahh, the age-old dilemma. When it comes to fever reduction, which works better - acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen? I treat a lot of patients in the emergency department for fever-causing illnesses and recommend OTC medications on a daily (or more like hourly!) basis. But, when it comes to the exact stats for these medications, it can be difficult to remember to answer patients' F.A.Q. Which is better for fever reduction - acetaminophen or ibuprofen? And, how long does each medication take to kick in?

Should You Recommend OTC Cough and Cold Meds to Kids?

August 14, 2018

I've always been slightly confused about exactly which over the counter cough and cold medications I should recommend to my patients. There are just so many products on the market. Which ones actually work? Not to mention, it seems like the guidelines for products marketed to patients, especially in pediatrics, are ever-changing. So, what's a nurse practitioner to do?

How Tough is Passing the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam?

August 07, 2018

If you're a pediatric nurse practitioner student, chance are you're already thinking about the certification exam you'll take when you graduate. Once you've secured your diploma, taking the 'boards' is the next step on the road to eligibility for practice.

Creative Date Night Ideas for Cash-Strapped NP Students

August 06, 2018

Are you and your spouse long overdue for a date night? If you’re a busy nurse practitioner student, committing to regularly scheduled date nights with your significant other can feel impossible to do. And costly. Before you know it, you look back at your calendar to find it’s literally been six months since the last time the two of you had a night out.

Choosing an Otoscope: A How To Guide

July 27, 2018

When I was a nurse practitioner student, purchasing an otoscope came highly recommended. As an FNP student, years upon years of examining ears were in my future. An otoscope purchase was necessary, according to my clinical instructors at least. So, I hit the internet comparing costs and products with the intention of finding the best otoscope a broke nurse practitioner student could afford.

This Program Helps Improve Clinical Skills During the Workday

July 26, 2018

As a nurse practitioner, the expectations placed on me are high. Not only must I know how to diagnose and treat patients, I'm required to do this in an environment where my employer tracks my time and efficiency. I've got to keep billing and malpractice pressures in mind, not to mention each individual patient's preferences. Working as a NP can be tough - I found this especially true in my early years of practice.

7 Reasons to Rid Yourself of NP Student Loans Early

July 23, 2018

Are you one of the nearly seventy percent of college graduates who walked the stage with student loan debt? Student loans are generally considered a good debt to have as over time, you will see a greater return on your investment once you enter the workforce as a practicing nurse practitioner. Given that they’re not a bad debt to have, and because there are numerous ways to make the monthly payments more affordable, you may not have given much thought about what the long-term impacts may be if you don’t try to pay off them off early.

I Resolved to Leave Work On Time...

July 19, 2018

…This is what I did to make it happen

As a nurse practitioner who has worked in primary care, urgent care and emergency department settings, I can say there are a few challenges common to NPs across the board. Leaving work on time is one of them. Packed schedules have us scrambling from patient to patient with little time left for charting, reviewing lab results, and responding to questions. So, we tack these duties on to the end of our clinical day or bring them home with us.

6 Primary Care Podcasts for Nurse Practitioners On-the-Go

July 15, 2018

How do you use your downtime? As a nurse practitioner, even with eight years of experience, I often feel that I still have so much to learn. One of the great (but challenging) things about the medical profession is that healthcare is constantly evolving and changing. To help keep up to date with the latest in clinical practice, I often turn to podcasts. These audio education series are the perfect way to put downtime in the car to use and pay off in my practice.

How Long Does it Take to Get an Additional Nurse Practitioner Specialty?

July 15, 2018

One of the most appealing things about entering the nurse practitioner profession is that there are a variety of specialties to choose from. But, what happens if a few years into your practice you discover that your chosen specialty may not be the right fit for you?

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