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Life As a Nurse Practitioner ✨
One of the most impactful moments in my nursing career occurred during my early days as a nurse practitioner when I doubted my ability to interpret heart sounds. A young athlete walked into my practice reporting frequent shortness of breath, something unusual for him. As I listened to his heart, I picked up a murmur and…
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Are you the first in your family to work in the medical field?
Hi, my name is Kelsey and I am the first person in my family to work in the medical field.🏥 My decision to become a nurse, and ultimately a Family Nurse Practitioner, was based on a desire to make a difference in patient's lives and contribute to the well-being of my community. Fortunately, my family is very supportive of…
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What resources can you recommend patients?
One example that comes to mind is the CDC website. Most nurse practitioners rely on the CDC for the latest and most reliable information regarding vaccination schedules. They even have a handy app called the CDC Vaccine Schedule for your phone! However, inaccurate information may circulate on various websites and social…
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Life As a Nurse Practitioner #2
One of my most rewarding patient success stories involves a middle-aged female patient who lowered her blood pressure. She was initially on medications due to weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle. After educational sessions, she committed to a personalized diet and exercise plan. With dedication and regular follow-ups,…
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How do you approach building trust and rapport with your patients and their families?
As a nurse practitioner, I take the time to actively listen to my patient's concerns and perspectives. Establishing a welcoming and non-judgmental environment is crucial. I do my best to remain transparent about my role and involve my patients and their families in shared decision-making. Being empathetic and genuine is…
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ANCC & AANP FNP Exams
The ANCC and the AANP FNP exams evaluate your clinical competency, but please recognize the key differences before registering! ANCC includes questions on professional practice and is longer at 3.5 hours with 175 questions, featuring various question formats like multiple response and drag-and-drop. In contrast, the AANP…
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What's your favorite aspect of patient education and health promotion?👩🏽⚕️👨🏼⚕️🧑🏻⚕️👨🏽⚕️🩺
I am so proud to be a nurse practitioner as so much of healthcare is focused on treatments and procedures, and much of what we do is preventative care. We work to prevent diseases from happening in the first place which is truly a noble cause.♥️ The reward is never apparent, and we rarely receive the credit, but health…
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Life As A Nurse Practitioner #1🏥
I worked in the traumatic brain injury unit in Chicago. It was the night shift, and I was exhausted.😩😴 A patient asked me to do a favor and help her down to the lobby, and I reluctantly agreed as I was so behind on work. When I walked her downstairs, there were security guards, and to our surprise, Muhammad Ali was leaving…
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What are doing to balance your personal life with the demands of your FNP education?
I worked as a nurse while I obtained my FNP certification and made it a priority to meet up with friends and take time for myself. I joined a running group so I could be social and get exercise at the same time. I had a friend who started a book club outside of nursing. It doesn't have to break the bank to be fun and…
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What are some topics I should focus on now so I'm ready to ace the FNP exam when I finish school?
The FNP exam is geared toward the novice nurse practitioner and what they may encounter in a family practice setting including preventative and sick visits. Kaplan's program does an excellent job covering common clinical situations. Please make sure to check out their book📚!
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What are some ways you maximise your study time during the holidays?
Studying during the holidays can be tricky. Tell us what you do to stay on track with your studying while still participating in the holiday fun. 😊
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Nursing Organizations
Do you belong a local nursing organization? Most states have a regional nursing organization. For instance, we have the Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives in Kentucky. They host an annual meeting along with several continuing education opportunities. It is a great way to stay current and connect…
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👀Have you investigated the licensing and certification requirements to become an FNP?
Check out these FAQs on requirements and let us know if you have any questions.