94: From Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner: How to Shift Your Mindset

For those of you who aren’t familiar, my daughter Meadow was born with a severe congenital heart defect last year. Being an advocate for congenital heart disease feels like the most special and important thing I can do as a Heart Mom, and sharing more about this is exactly what I felt called to do this Heart Month.

I share some statistics on congenital heart disease that may shock you, and why I’m so invested in giving Heart Babies the very best chance we possibly can. Hear what my daughter’s life will look like living with a congenital heart defect, and a poem I wrote about my experience as a Heart Mom.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/heart-month-congenital-disease-mom/

There are many unique and amazing opportunities out there for Nurse Practitioners when it comes to global health. The great news is that because global health is a top priority, there are several resources available for exploration. Anna and I are here this week to guide you through the ins and outs of your global health journey.

Hear how Nurse Practitioners can fill the gap in global health initiatives, important considerations to keep in mind, and why NPs in all specialties can play an essential role in improving health worldwide.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/global-nursing-positive-impact/

Transitioning from nurse to Nurse Practitioner is a big deal. It’s truly a whole new career. You’ve passed your boards, graduated from school, and now, you’re a real-deal NP. However, you’re not alone if self-doubt and fear are coming up for you. That’s why Anna and I are here this week to share our top tips on how to succeed on your first day as a new Nurse Practitioner.

We dive into how to set yourself up for success on day one of your journey as a real-deal Nurse Practitioner. Anna and I are discussing our favorite strategies for making your first day as stress-free as possible, how to mentally prepare yourself, and our tips for boosting your confidence.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/succeed-first-day-new-np/

No matter what kind of Nurse Practitioner you are, you likely work alongside hospitalists, nurses, case managers, social workers, specialists, and ancillary staff. The unifying thread between all of you is to create a positive patient experience and to provide excellent care. How can we, as real-deal Nurse Practitioners, contribute to the ever-evolving dynamic of interdisciplinary care and teamwork?

Discover what interdisciplinary even means, why acknowledging teamwork matters, even if you can work independently, and my tips for being an effective part of an interdisciplinary team.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/why-interdisciplinary-teamwork-matters/

Ensuring you excel in Nurse Practitioner school while also making time for the things you enjoy, that recharge you and that give you energy for other areas of your life, is easier said than done. That’s why Anna is taking over the show this week to share her top tips.

Tune in this week to hear Anna’s tangible tips for striking a balance between Nurse Practitioner school and life outside of school, the importance of prioritizing self-care, and how to meet academic demands while fulfilling your personal needs.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/time-management-school-life-balance/

If you want to balance seeing your loved ones with this busy period at work during the Holidays, you're in the perfect place. The holiday season is a jam-packed time when all Nurse Practitioners want to give their full attention to patients as well as friends and family. But how do we do that without being completely stretched thin?

Tune in to discover Anna's holiday hacks for saving time and maintaining your sanity as the year comes to a close. She's offering her top tips for optimizing your time so you don't burn out and can actually unwind and enjoy the Holiday season.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/save-time-new-nurse-practitioner/

You’ve graduated, passed your boards, and the next critical step is licensing and credentialing. This can feel like a huge time-consuming hurdle you have to overcome on your journey to becoming a real-deal Nurse Practitioner. Although it seems complicated, NP certification and licensure are essential.

Join us on this episode as Anna and I review the Nurse Practitioner licensing and credentialing requirements and offer you a step-by-step guide through that process. Hear important considerations to keep in mind as they relate to your state, common mistakes to avoid, and additional tasks you may need to complete before you become a real-deal NP.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/guide-credentialing-process/

If you’re ready to look forward to going to clinical instead of dreading it, you’re in the right place. Anna and I are here today to share some of our own personal experiences of navigating clinical rotations and to show you how to take control of your clinical experience so it sets you up for future career opportunities.

Learn the importance of fostering a positive relationship with your preceptor and our top tips for making a great impression. Hear how to negotiate your clinical experience, how to request feedback on your performance, and ways you can use the student-preceptor relationship for career networking.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/clinical-experience-dread-excitement/

The most common and widely accepted format of clinical documentation is the SOAP note. It addresses the legal aspect of documenting the care you provide, but it also allows for consistency across providers, which is essential in healthcare. With all providers using the same format, it allows anyone reading it to follow along with your patient’s diagnosis and management plan. So how do you use it effectively?

Listen in this week to hear our top do’s and don’ts as they relate to using SOAP notes for clinical documentation. Anna and I are discussing what the SOAP note entails, what to include and avoid in your documentation, and our advice for how to keep refining your clinical documentation skills.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/dos-donts-clinical-documentation/

This week, Anna and I are here to discuss a topic that is near and dear to our hearts: mental health and self-care for Nurse Practitioners. If you’ve taken any of our classes, you’ll know that we focus on stress and anxiety management as you prepare for boards, but prioritizing your mental health is vital throughout your career as a healthcare provider.

Discover why the role of Nurse Practitioner comes with unique challenges and why addressing this topic is crucial for the sustainability of the NP profession as a whole. We’re clarifying what self-care really means, why it’s a necessary part of being an effective healthcare provider, and practical self-care strategies you can begin implementing now.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/mental-health-new-np/