Showing posts relating to: The Bookbag: Education

How Much Should You Really Borrow for Your NP Education?

August 09, 2018

Finding a way to pay for your nurse practitioner program is one of the most challenging parts of planning out your education. Though financing with student loans may be necessary, borrowing too much can really limit what you’re able to do with your nurse practitioner salary after graduation. Specifically, it can make it difficult for you to build wealth and have a solid financial future. You might even find yourself in a situation wherein you can’t repay your student loans at all. So how much should you borrow towards your NP education without getting into hot water with your future finances?

Adult NP vs. Family NP: Which Specialty Should You Choose

August 08, 2018

Choosing your nurse practitioner specialty is a difficult decision. You are spending precious dollars to further your nursing education and don't want to make a mistake. After all, the specialty you choose to pursue significantly impacts your future job outlook. In thinking through your NP specialty options, beginning with the end in mind is a must.

How Do You Deal With a Bad Clinical Placement?

August 08, 2018

I quickly became frustrated with one of my first nurse practitioner program clinical placements. Working alongside a physician in his solo, small town family practice clinic seemed like the ideal place to learn. But, then, I realized he accepted nurse practitioner students as a way to get more help running his clinic- and I don't mean when it came to diagnosing and treating patients.

9 Hidden Costs of Nurse Practitioner School Graduation

August 07, 2018

If you are graduating from your nurse practitioner program this summer, congratulations! You made it! Launching your NP career is an exciting time, but also one filled with anxiety-provoking logistics. Where will you work? How much will you be paid? How do you balance interviewing at multiple facilities? While most nurse practitioners are familiar with the steps of the licensing and job search process, many neglect to consider how much the ordeal will cost. And, yes, it is pricey.

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.

5 Bad Reasons to Become a Nurse Practitioner

July 27, 2018

If you're a regular MidlevelU blog reader, you know I'm a huge advocate of the nurse practitioner profession. I love working as an NP in the emergency department and wouldn't change a thing about my education and career path if I had to do it all over again. But, becoming a nurse practitioner isn't right for everyone.

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.

Detect New Grad NP Friendliness With These Job Interview Questions

July 26, 2018

Have you seen The Devil Wears Prada? If not, head to your sofa and tune in to Netflix, now. The film falls among my favorite watch over and over again chick flicks. But, I think we can all agree the level of new grad friendliness of Andy's job as an assistant for fashionista Miranda Priestly is at an all time low. While new grad nurse practitioners aren't typically charged with Starbucks runs and tracking down unreleased copies of Harry Potter novels, new grad NPs all too often find themselves in positions that aren't supportive of their inexperience.

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.

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?

The Emotional Stages of Life as a New Grad Nurse Practitioner

July 12, 2018

I distinctly recall learning about the stages of grief during a psychiatric rotation in my nursing program. Having experienced the recent death of a family member, I identified with the content, and was impressed that the textbook outline of the grieving process was so spot on. The emotional stages of a new grad nurse practitioner are much different than those of the grief process (thank goodness!), however, for most NPs, new grad emotions come in a somewhat predictable pattern.

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