Critical is a term often used in healthcare settings. Unfortunately, it is an adjective used to describe the nursing shortage in the U.S. and raises an alarm in the healthcare system. On and off since the mid-1930s, the U.S. has faced a shortage of qualified nurses for doctors’ offices, hospitals, and home healthcare agencies. According […]
3 Ways to Go From ADN to BSN
Climbing the nursing career ladder requires earning an advanced nursing degree like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). For nurses who earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and are working in their field, deciding to return to school to earn a BSN can be intimidating. They must commit time and effort to their […]
Hiring Bonuses on the Rise for Nurses
Nursing shortages have persisted since the 1990s. Every year, the call to urgency in inspiring enough new nurses to replace those who are aging out of the profession grows louder. Nearly two years into a global pandemic, the nursing profession continues to suffer under the strain of low staffing to meet demand. One of the […]
Steps to Becoming a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
Skin accounts for 16% of the adult human body and is the body’s largest organ. Part of the integumentary system, its prime role is to serve as a protective barrier between the outside and inside of the body. Dermatology Nurse Practitioners specialize in understanding every condition and disease affecting the roughly 22 square feet of […]
How to Become a Hospice Nurse Practitioner
Hospice nurse practitioners have a tough job. Unlike nurse practitioners, they are not in the business of saving lives. While just as committed to patient care, the outcome is different. Like everyone on the hospice care team, it is a hospice nurse practitioner’s responsibility to help individuals through the end-of-life process. Their emotional and physical […]
5 Steps to Becoming an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner requires dedication to schooling and gaining relevant on-the-job experience. Orthopedic nurse practitioners, like orthopedic doctors and surgeons, focus on diseases and injuries that impact the musculoskeletal system. They can treat patients with chronic health conditions like arthritis or those with broken or fractured bones. Helping patients regain mobility after injuries or […]
4 Steps to Becoming a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner
Heart health is a major focus of healthcare providers. Preventing heart disease reduces your risk for a heart attack or stroke. The most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that more than 30 million adults have a diagnosed heart disease. Every year, 1 out of 4 people in the […]
How to Become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Many nurses begin their careers with a future goal of becoming a nurse practitioner (NP). Among the 13 types of nurse practitioner specialties is acute care nursing. Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNP) provide care to patients in the short-term treatment of serious injuries or illnesses. They can work in hospitals, surgical centers, and trauma care […]
How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are registered nurses who have specialized educational and clinical training in family practice. Their training allows them to work with adults and children. Many FNPs choose to work in a clinical or family medical practice setting. Others choose to work in underserved communities. FNPs focus on preventative care and helping their […]
How to Become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
A women’s health nurse practitioner focuses on the healthcare needs of women. Nursing candidates interested in gynecological, obstetric, and reproductive health can pursue a career in this nursing specialty. This guide provides you with all the information you need to get started on your career as a women’s health nurse practitioner. What is a women’s […]
5 Steps to Becoming an Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Nurses are the healers and caregivers of the world. Their knowledge and compassion help patients navigate illnesses and injuries and survive life-threatening conditions. Oncology nurse practitioners (ONPs) are nursing specialists who work with some of the most fragile patients in our society – those suffering from cancer. Cancer is a terrible disease that takes many […]
5 Steps to Becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) care for children through every stage of their lives. From birth to young adult, pediatric nurse practitioners have helped millions of patients since 1965. It was then that Dr. Loretta Ford and Dr. Hendry Silver developed the first nurse practitioner program at the University of Colorado. Pediatric nurse practitioners are a […]
Nurse Symbols 101: A Brief History
Nursing pins, medical jewelry, and even scrubs proudly display the symbols representing the power and responsibility of nurses. When you see a person wearing one of these symbols, there is instant identification. Even if a nurse is not in scrubs and on the job, you know what they do for a living just by seeing […]
Understanding the Nursing Scope of Practice
Nurses rarely claim boredom with their profession given the limitless opportunities that are available. From the variety of patients and healthcare settings to the nursing specialties you can pursue, there is nary a dull moment. Nurses can develop their craft, learn new skills, and challenge their knowledge every time they put on their scrubs and […]
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medication?
Nurse practitioners (NP) have some privileges that other nurses do not. The ability to prescribe medication to patients is one of them. You can find them in private practice settings, like community clinics and government agencies, since they can take on a physician-like role. If you have ever gone to a walk-in clinic seeking medical […]
