NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner (AANP) (American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP))

Staying well during the winter season means taking care of the body and the mind. On this episode of NP Pulse, we feature conversations with NPs who can speak to both specialties: Dr. Ruth Carrico is an infectious disease expert, and Dr. Tari Dilks’s focus is on psychiatric and mental health. Together, they discuss breakthroughs in disease prevention; how to combat both airborne and mental illness during the often-stressful holiday season; and what they do to combat stress and remain healthy and happy all year long.

Nurse Practitioners Dr. Tulay Cakiner-Egilmez and Dr. Audrey Stevenson discuss the recognition of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in primary care and the role of the NP along with the recommended treatments and tips to engage patients in the management of their AMD.   Go here to claim CE credit for this activity: Reducing the Burden of AMD: What Primary Care NPs Can Do (inreachce.com) Use this link Optimizing Care of Patients with AMD: From Recognition to Treatment (inreachce.com) to take a 1.25 hour CE with 0.5 Rx audiovisual with interactive case studies activity to further your knowledge of AMD recognition and treatment.   Download this episode's transcript here.    

Gale Adcock is a family nurse practitioner of more than 36 years and has served 14 years in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Today she shares her story and offers insight into why nurse practitioners make such great elected officials.

 

Resources from this episode:

• 2022 AANP Health Policy Conference: aanp.org/HPC22
• AANP State Advocacy Information: aanp.org/advocacy

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

More than 14.5 million people 12 years of age or older in the United States meet the clinical criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD), and more than 1 in 4 adults over 18 years of age reported at least one episode of binge drinking within the previous 90 days. In this episode, nurse practitioners Dr. Laura Leahy and Colleen Barry share their experience and offer insights on AUD.

Additional Resources: • Visit the free AANP Collaborative Learning Network, where you can join subject matter experts and colleagues in discussions on AUD and other topics. • Complete the AANP CE Center activity — "Identifying and Managing Alcohol Use Disorder in Primary Care."

This activity is supported by educational funding provided by Alkermes.

NPs Lisa Kennedy Sheldon and Sharon Dudley Brown discuss how biosimilars can enrich treatment options for patients with inflammatory diseases, such as RA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease and more.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Biosimilars CE: aanp.org/education
• ANP Resources by Therapeutic Area: aanp.org/practice

 

Join AANP Today: join.aanp.org

Dr. Rhone D'Errico discusses understanding and combatting provider burnout on both individual and system levels and introduces cutting edge technology solutions—like digital phenotyping—to proactively detect burnout in our patients.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Understanding Digital Phenotyping: nature.com
• AANP NP Wellness Resources: aanp.org/np-wellness
• Aware Healthcare: awarehc.com
• Get in Touch with Rhone: linkedin.com

 

Join AANP Today: join.aanp.org

Rare Disease Day is observed on the last day of February every year. Did you know that there are over 7,000 rare diseases affecting more than 30 million people in the United States? Every nurse practitioner will encounter patients and families affected by rare disease in their practices. On today’s podcast we are joined by NP experts Dr. Stephanie Hosley and Alicia Turner who will discuss the burden and impact of rare disease and provide resources for the NP to provide best care for patients/families affected by rare disease.

To earn 0.9 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through February 2025.

Resources

NIH Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center

NORD Patient Assistance Programs

Rare Diseases at FDA

Clinical Trials Look-up

Speakers, Sarah Rossi, NP, and Lauren Mahon, NP, review identification of ovarian cancer and initial work up for patients suspected to have ovarian cancer in this dynamic and informative podcast.

 

To earn 0.5 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code, and complete the post test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through May 2025.

 

This podcast developed and funded by AANP.

Listen to this episode to learn more about the importance of mentoring and the global growth of advanced practice nursing. Featuring interviews from the 2022 AANP National Conference, you will hear from AANP International APN Ambassadors Joseph Kilsara and Patricija Lunežnik, AANP New York South State Representative Dr. Mary Koslap-Petraco, AANP Fellows Dr. Alison Mitchell and Michelle Knowles and AANP member Dr. Nycole Oliver.  AANP wants to hear from you, also! Be sure to complete the important National NP Workforce Survey emailed to NPs, share your NP story in preparation for NP Week Nov. 13-19 and hone your advocacy skills by attending the 2023 AANP Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 29-31. Registration for the conference opens on Sept. 13. AANP members are encouraged to save the date for Oct. 3, when nominations open for the 2023 AANP Elections.

Many of us have questions after we step on a scale and see how much we weigh. How closely does that number correlate to our overall health? What is the best way, as nurse practitioners, to talk about weight with patients by emphasizing the positives of exercise and diet without reinforcing obesity bias?

Today’s guest on NP Pulse, AANP’s new Vice President of Professional Practice Dr. Johnnie Sue Wijewardane, walks us through her personal weight loss journey and discusses the pros and cons of surgery, the very topical GLP-1s and even a fascinating aside into yo-yo trends like the “cabbage diet.” With her combination of expert analysis and trademark openness, Wijewardane guides us through the minefield of weight loss over-information into useful takeaways for both nurse practitioners and patients.

For more resources on treating obesity and talking with patients about weight loss, visit aanp.org to find newsfeed articles and CE courses related to the topic. 

Happy NP Week from AANP!

We are celebrating this year by Recognizing Heroes in Health Care, and NP Pulse is devoting the entire week to mini-episodes featuring everyday NPs sharing their stories. Today, listen as NPs tell us what inspired them to become a nurse practitioner. And don't forget to take time today to share why you became a nurse practitioner at aanp.org/shareyourstory. 

Learn more about the NP role and the NP Week celebration at aanp.org/NPWeek.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is a condition caused by damage to the pancreas that results in reduced capability to produce or deliver digestive enzymes which break down fats, carbohydrates or proteins — or to a decrease in the enzyme activity in the small intestine. EPI is most commonly associated with chronic pancreatitis (in adults), cystic fibrosis (in children), diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) and other etiologies such as acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or resection, celiac and Crohn’s disease. Consequently, individuals with EPI may suffer malnutrition and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency; loss of bone mass; growth and immune deficiencies; and may experience poorer outcomes such as longer hospital stays and lower survival rates of underlying medical conditions secondary to malnutrition.

Listen to guests Kimberly Kearns MS, APRN, ANP-BC and Amy Stewart FNP-C discuss EPI on this episode of the official podcast of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP), NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®

Additionally, two new tools are also available on AANP’s Tools and Resources page in both the Gastroenterology and in the Pulmonology and Respiratory therapeutic areas:

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT) – Patient Guide to diet and lifestyle modifications, and to the self-administration of PERTs to help reduce symptoms including gas, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by undigested food in the gut.

Diagnosing and Managing Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) – Provider Resource including evaluation of symptoms and common high-risk conditions, diagnostic testing and management goals combining diet, lifestyle and therapies to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Your voice counts here: EPI Podcast Follow Up Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

**This podcast is unaccredited.

 

Don’t miss the Signs: Early Recognition and Management of Tardive Dyskinesia

In this episode, Amber Hoberg and Dr. Jennifer Sampang bring us an engaging discussion on the complexities of tardive dyskinesia, the significance of early detection and treatment, and the considerable burden it has on patients. As they unwind the mysteries of TD, we get a better understanding of the importance of being vigilant and proactive in detecting it and keeping our patients informed and involved in their treatment plans. Together, through early recognition, informed discussions, and shared decision-making, we can mitigate the impact of TD and improve the lives of those affected. Additionally, a Tardive Dyskinesia Point-of-Care tool will be available on AANP’s Tools and Resources page.

To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the posttest and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through August 2025.

This educational activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Advanced practice nursing continues to grow worldwide, with the nurse practitioner (NP) role emerging as an important part of the solution for health care access in countries across the globe. We were honored to speak with Bongi Sibanda, DNPc, MSc, ANP, RN, FHEA, who was a 2018 AANP International Advanced Practice Nurse Ambassador. An NP leader and academic with expertise in international health care workforce education, Sibanda led the Anglophone Africa APN Coalition project, which was supported by the International Council of Nurses APN Network, the AANP International Committee and several global APN stakeholders. In 2020, recommendations made by this coalition were incorporated into ICN APN guidelines. Sibanda has testified before the United Nations about the urgent need for education and resources in Africa as well as the potential for improved care in Africa through the introduction of the NP role. If you are interested in advanced practice nursing on a global scale, consider joining the AANP International Community.

Hear from five nurse practitioners (NPs) as they discuss their roles and the importance of making professional connections, engaging with other NPs, developing leadership skills, mentoring colleagues and building an inclusive and welcoming community for all NPs and NP students during the 2022 AANP National Conference. Thank you to AANP Michigan State Liaison Dr. Ericka Brunson-Gillespie, AANP Fellow Dr. Joshua Hamilton and AANP members Elyssa Noce, Melissa Nunn and Dr. James Sims for contributing to this important conversation. AANP is grateful to all who participated in video interviews at the 2022 AANP National Conference. Additional insights from those interviews will be shared soon. Share your NP story with AANP by uploading photos or video, audio and text files today. You are also invited to join your NP community at the 2022 AANP Fall Conference, which is scheduled to be held Sept. 15-18 in Anaheim, California, and save the date for Oct. 3 when nominations will open for the 2023 AANP Elections. 

The APRN Consensus Model was created in 2008 to align the interrelationships between four key components of advanced practice nursing: licensure, accreditation, certification and education — also known as LACE. Hear AANP members Drs. Benjamin Smallheer and Carolina "Callie" Tennyson of Duke University School of Nursing elaborate on these issues and describe an innovative program they've helped develop to support NPs seeking to expand into additional areas of clinical care. Read a Feb. 2022 The Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JNP) article by Tennyson and Smallheer on Competency-Based Education for Nurse Practitioner Certification Alignment to learn more about this important topic. As a reminder, AANP members enjoy free access to JNP articles. Explore the many benefits of AANP membership today, including the new NPower wellness program and exclusive discounts on conferences, like the 2022 AANP Fall Conference in Anaheim, California, Sept. 15-19. 

Nurse Practitioner Tari Dilks talks with Brian Smuda about how tardive dyskinesia has impacted Brian physically, emotionally and socially. We take a look at his journey from first symptoms to being almost incapacitated to finally getting his life back.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Free Tardive Dyskinesia CE: aanp.org/cecenter

 

Join AANP: aanp.org/membership

 

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Neurocrine Biosciences.

In the final episode in our 2021 NP Week series on nurse practitioner leaders, we are joined by Britney Broyhill, a trauma NP, leader in NP development and Sr. Director of Advanced Practice at Atrium Health.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Join AANP Today and Save using code NPWEXTRA: aanp.org/npwextra
• NP Week: aanp.org/npweek

In this episode, AANP Fellows Nancy Berman and Dr. Kahlil Demonbreun discuss ways to initiate effective and respectful conversations with women of different ethnic, cultural and racial backgrounds who may experience symptoms of menopause and perimenopause differently. They review current guidelines and address common misconceptions regarding the treatment of systemic and genitourinary symptoms.

To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit (0.33 of which may be applied to pharmacology), you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the posttest and evaluation.

The next installment in the series featuring deans of nursing schools from across the country presents Christine Kennedy of Rush University. Let’s celebrate the leaders who are responsible for making NP education happen!

 

Resources from this episode:

• 2022 AANP National Conference: aanp.org/national22
• Access AANP Continuing Education: aanp.org/ce
• More about Dean Kennedy: rush.edu

 

Join AANP Today: join.aanp.org

In this episode, adult nurse practitioner (NP) Heather O’Dell discusses the importance of liver health, the crucial role this organ plays within the human body and the diseases that may lead to needing a liver transplant. She is involved in research related to hepatitis C infected and exposed donor organs, organ utilization and organ allocation. With years of experience working in transplant hepatology, hepatobiliary surgery and clinical practice operations for liver and kidney transplant, O’Dell shares insights about her unique role and provides important information to support NPs with patients who are at risk for, or who have, liver disease.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) offers tools and resources for NPs of all specialties, including those in primary care and those who specialize in caring for patients with liver disease. Access free patient education tools on diseases that affect the liver, visit the AANP CE Center to access quality continuing education activities and consider attending sessions at the 2023 AANP National Conference in New Orleans on June 20-25. Members get more, including a savings of at least $200 off nonmember registration rates for the in-person conference!

 

Additional Resources:

• American Liver Foundation.
• Unos.
• John Hopkins University.
• American Association of Liver Disease.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have an important role to play in informing their patients about the availability and benefits of clinical trial participation. The outcomes of clinical trials have led to increased knowledge, improved health status and new treatments. In this podcast episode, Drs. Leslie Davis and Paula Tucker discuss details of the research process, provide helpful examples and share resources so you can leverage your role as a clinical trial participation champion for your patients.  

 

Podcast Resources:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  • Inclusion Outreach Toolkit: How to Engage, Recruit and Retain Women in Clinical Research — https://orwh.od.nih.gov/toolkit/recruitment/history.
  • Review of the Literature: Primary Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Clinical Research —https://orwh.od.nih.gov/sites/orwh/files/docs/orwh_outreach_toolkit_litreview.pdf.
  • Clinical Trials Database — https://clinicaltrials.gov.
• S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • The Belmont Report — https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/index.html.
  • Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health: Policy of Inclusion of Women in Clinical Trials — https://www.womenshealth.gov/30-achievements/04.
• Cell Press: Advancing the Inclusion of Underrepresented Women in Clinical Research — https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/pdf/S2666-3791(22)00059-3.pdf.
• S. Food and Drug Administration patient brochure: Research Needs You — https://www.fda.gov/media/147001/download.

Happy NP Week from AANP!

We are celebrating this year by Recognizing Heroes in Health Care, and NP Pulse is devoting the entire week to mini-episodes featuring everyday NPs sharing their stories. Today’s episode is all about mentorship, but with a special twist because we’re featuring sisters Vilma and Ilona Farkas who both went into nursing and then – later – advanced to the NP role together. It’s so important to have a strong support system and what better support than a sister who has been on the journey with you from the beginning. Please share today on social media who your mentors have been so we can all celebrate those that have been there to support NPs in their growth.  

Learn more about the NP role and the NP Week celebration at aanp.org/NPWeek.

On today’s episode, AANP President Dr. Stephen Ferrara invites a past AANP president, Dr. Sophia Thomas, to announce — and celebrate — her return as the host of NP Pulse. Longtime friends and colleagues, Ferrara and Thomas share stories about their journey as NP leaders and what the future may hold for AANP and nurse practitioners (NPs). Listen to learn more about Thomas and podcast topics that are on the horizon.

Another great way to stay connected with the NP community is by attending the 2023 AANP Fall Conference in Austin, Texas, Sept. 7-10. This  event offers in-person and on-demand packages and the opportunity to earn the AANP Introduction to Leadership Certificate— a prerequisite for the AANP Executive Leadership Program.

 

 

Joining Dr. Sophia Thomas on this episode of NP Pulse is Dr. Elayne DeSimone, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP). For more than 35 years, JAANP has provided editorials, peer-reviewed research and articles on subjects vital to NPs.

In this conversation, DeSimone recounts what it was like to graduate from one of the first NP programs at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and then walks us through her career as an NP and in academia. You will learn what goes into editing and producing a successful scholarly journal, and you’ll hear about JAANP’s newest column, “From My Perspective.”

Members of AANP receive a free, online subscription to JAANP, along with access to the journal’s AANP-accredited continuing education. Learn more about AANP membership and its many benefits at aanp.org/membership. DeSimone welcomes questions from those interested in becoming an author or peer reviewer, and she may be reached at desimone@aanp.org.

More than half of all adults in the U.S. experience anxiety and depression. In this podcast episode, Dr. Kristin Arden discusses the innovative treatment programs and technological advances that help increase access to high-quality health care for these patients. 

Additional Resources:

• AANP CE Center — View current continuing education (CE) activities on mental health. AANP members get more, including free or significantly reduced rates on CE activities: bit.ly/3Ot5hhv.
• Course of the Month — A new member benefit was launched on Nov. 1, giving members free 30-day access to a new Course of the Month CE activity every month of the year: aanp.org/free-ce.
• AANP Community — Join the AANP Psych Mental Health Community for just $20 annually, where members engage in discussions and exchange new insights with NPs who share an interest in — or specialize in — this field: aanp.org/communities.
• NPower — To support your well-being, AANP’s NPower program offers members free wellness resources and engagement activities each month: aanp.org/npower.

Today the focus turns to leadership in NP organizations. Jennifer Wilbeck has over twenty years of experience in emergency health and is currently the Executive Director for the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP).

 

Resources from this episode:

• Join AANP Today and Save using code NPWEXTRA: aanp.org/npwextra
• AANP Emergency Community: aanp.org/communities
• NP Week: aanp.org/npweek

Frank Manole is a health system executive serving as Vice President of Operations at Avance Care. Today he shares with us his views on leadership and the unique advantages that NPs have as health care administrators.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Join AANP Today and Save using code NPWEXTRA: aanp.org/npwextra
• NP Week: aanp.org/npweek

Drs. Rita F. D’Aoust and Alicia Gill Rossiter, two nurse practitioners and authors on veteran care join NP Pulse to highlight the needs of those that have served our country and the needs of their families.  Listen as they discuss the enormous insights a health care provider can gain by simply asking a patient: “Have you ever served?”

Thank you to all our veterans and families of veterans that have served. And a special thank you to the co-founder of the NP role, Dr. Loretta Ford who served in the US Army Air Force. Visit AANP’s news feed to read about Dr. Loretta Ford being honored at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day, and visit AANP’s CE Center for activities related to veteran care.

The nurse practitioner (NP) role has a rich history, beginning with its co-creation by Drs. Loretta Ford and Henry Silver in 1965 — and there are now more than 355,000 NPs licensed to practice in the U.S.!

Hear from American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) Region 1 Director Dr. Valerie Fuller, Vermont State Liaison Michelle Wade, AANP Fellow Dr. Christina Calamaro and AANP members Dr. Joy Deupree and Eliana Marcus Aaron as they share why they chose to become an NP, provide examples of NP innovation and advocacy in action, highlight the value of networking and discuss the continued importance of advocating for advanced practice nurses and patients — here in the U.S. and abroad.

Prepare to celebrate National NP Week Nov. 13-19 by downloading the resource guide and sharing your NP story with AANP. To increase your advocacy skills, register for the 2023 AANP Health Policy Conference, which is scheduled to be held Jan. 29-31 in Washington, D.C.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to 4% of the U.S. population and impacts patients across the various quality of life domains. In this episode of the NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® podcast, nurse practitioners Kimberly Kearns and Nastassja Williams discuss the diagnosis and management of IBS as well as the impact IBS has on patients. This podcast is supported by an independent grant from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Allergan, an AbbVie company. Supplements to this episode include a resource tool for NPs, Navigating IBS Diagnosis and Treatment, and a patient handout, Improving Quality of Life With IBS.

Visit the AANP website to learn more about the benefits of membership; access a variety of useful resources organized by therapeutic area; save on registration for the 2022 AANP Fall Conference in Anaheim, California, Sept. 15-18 and much more. 

Be inspired by Dr. Pandora Hardtman, Jhpiego’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, who has worked to advance health equity around the world. Hardtman encourages nurse practitioners to lead locally and consider ways they can make a global impact. Listening can be the best form of advocacy, according to Hardtman, who urges NPs to stay open and engaged. Hear about her life experiences and be empowered along your own nursing journey. 

If you would like to further develop your leadership skills, AANP offers leadership courses for members, including the AANP Introductory Certificate on Leadership Course, which is a prerequisite for the AANP Executive Leadership Program. A separate AANP Educational Leadership Certificate course is also offered in the AANP CE Center. Register for the 2023 AANP National Conference in June, where you can earn continuing education credit in person or online, meet nurse practitioners from all over the world and hear from leading health experts. As a reminder, nominations for AANP’s National Leadership Awards are being accepted through March 10. Submit your nomination for the Sharp Cutting Edge Award or Towers Pinnacle Award today!

 

Additional resources if you're interested in international nursing:

https://aanp.org/international

https://www.jhpiego.org/

https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/specialist/fss-career-tracks/

https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/employment/default.htm

Two members of the AANP History Committee, Kim Curry and Ric Ricciardi, join NP Pulse to talk about the rich history of the NP, the importance of preserving it for future generations and two new AANP-funded grant opportunities!

 

Resources from this episode:

• History Grant Opportunities: aanp.org/history-grants
• AANP’s History Initiatives: aanp.org/history
• History Podcast Episodes: Listen to episodes 4-7 of NP Pulse for conversations with NP pioneers like Jan Towers and Loretta Ford.

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Nurse practitioners Timothy Ray and Debbie Hinnen are back on NP Pulse to share their insights into the management of diabetic kidney disease and offer strategies you can incorporate into your clinical practice.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Free CE: Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: aanp.org/cecenter
• Chronic Kidney Disease Toolkit: aanp.org

 

Join AANP today: aanp.org/membership

Returning guest Vanessa Pomarico-Denino joins host Sophia Thomas to discuss tick-borne illnesses on this episode of NP Pulse, recorded live at the 2024 AANP National Conference. As to why she’s brining awareness to the topic of tick-borne diseases, Pomarico-Denino says: “When you become a consumer of an infection, you then become an expert.” Pomarico-Denino was hospitalized for 28 days with a tick infection and is now committed to sharing what all of us need to know about ticks, and the illnesses — which include but are not limited to Lyme disease — that these tiny parasites spread. She also explores some of the symptoms of tick-borne disease, like body aches, nausea and malaise, and shares tips on repelling and even removing ticks that have found their way into the skin. 

November is National Diabetes Month and guest Dr. Angela Thompson is joining NP Pulse to discuss all things related to diabetes and diabetes care. For the last 22 years, Thompson has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the care of both adolescents and adults with diabetes. In this episode, she outlines positive developments in diabetes treatment, discusses the difference between working with adult and adolescent populations and offers advice on how to distinguish diabetes facts from fiction.

To learn more about emerging diabetes treatments, enroll in “Clinical Advantage Bootcamp: Type 2 Diabetes Management Certificate for Nurse Practitioners” in the AANP CE Center. This activity offers 8.5 contact hours of continuing education credit, 4.25 of which may be applied toward pharmacology.

As a reminder, the 2024 AANP Health Policy Conference is coming soon! Held in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28-30, this conference will feature sessions for first time attendees like "What You Need to Know About Capitol Hill," and general activities like regulatory updates, a conference keynote and congressional visits.

AANP members receive significant discounts on — or free access to — AANP CE activities! You also receive exclusive savings on conference registrations. To view the latest webinars, conferences, regional meetings and more, visit aanp.org/events.

 

 

 

 

Do you know about Mary Mahoney, the first professionally trained Black nurse in the United States? What about nursing education pioneer Lillian Holland Harvey? Dr. Irene Bean talks about the rich history of Black nursing trailblazers.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Free Webinar - Charting the Future of Health Equity as NPs: aanp.org/events
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Continuing Education: aanp.org/ce
• AANP DEI Information: aanp.org/diversity

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Today we welcome the 2020 Mayor and current Councilperson for the city of Yorba Linda, CA, nurse practitioner Beth Haney. Dr. Haney will share her unique journey into local public service and provide tips for NPs looking to follow suit.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Join AANP Today and Save using code NPWEXTRA: aanp.org/npwextra
• Full Practice Authority Journal Article: npjournal.org
• NP Week: aanp.org/npweek

Hear from Victoria Pemberton, RNC, MS, CCRC, project officer for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), as she discusses the importance of heart health literacy and highlights ways nurse practitioners can effectively engage with patients to reduce heart disease risk. February is American Heart Month — the ideal time to remind your patients about the importance of making heart-healthy lifestyle changes. New resources from the NHLBI’s The Heart Truth® program can help you empower patients to achieve their cardiovascular health goals.

 

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) offers continuing education (CE), tools and resources to support nurse practitioners (NPs) working to reduce the risk of heart disease. Members may opt to join the AANP Cardiology Community, complete AANP CE Center activities, attend sessions at the 2023 AANP National Conference in New Orleans June 20-25, download clinical practice briefs or access a variety of cardiology-related resources.

 

Additional Resources

• American Heart Month Outreach Toolkit.
• High Blood Pressure and Women.
• Pregnancy and Your Heart Health.
• Heart Disease Prevention. 
• Heart Smart Basics: What to Know to Keep Yours Healthy.
• My Heart Health Tracker.

Mississippi-based nurse practitioner (NP) Shonda Phelon first encountered the term "Sunday Scaries" from her daughter, who expressed a dread at the weekend ending and the the approaching workweek. Phelon, an expert on anxiety, further explores and discusses how older millennials and Generation Z experience anxiety differently than other generations, and details several ways anxiety can be screened, understood and managed.

Obesity affects racial and ethnic groups at various rates. Today, PA Karli Burridge, nurse practitioner Sam Christensen and Dr. Fatima Cody Standford offer their insights and suggestions for overcoming racial disparities in obesity.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Essential Clinical Tools: aanp.org/practice.
• AANP Obesity Community: aanp.org/communities.

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership. Visit the AANP CE Center to access a variety of CE activities at aanp.org/cecenter.

 

This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk.

Hepatitis A and B combined cause chronic disease leading to the deaths of more than 1.3 million people across the globe. Despite widely available and effective vaccines, the vaccine rates for eligible adults are insufficient to achieve the U.S. goal of reducing new infections by 2030. In this edition of NP Pulse, nurse practitioners (NPs) Audrey Stevenson and Jessica Crimaldi review adult and child vaccination programs, the eligibility status of adults, which populations are most at risk for infection, the NP’s role in promoting vaccines and solutions for vaccines during outbreaks. Finally, NPs will be called upon as vaccine champions in their communities.

*This is an accredited podcast*

Learners desiring CE credit should listen for the participation code at the end of this podcast. In order to access this course, please visit the AANP CE Center.

Additional materials (Provider tool and Patient tool) may be found at: NP Tool Patient Tool

 

Funder statement: This educational activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from GSK.

 

 

The CDC reported an 850% increase in Hepatitis A virus infections from 2014-2018. Nurse practitioners Dr. Audrey Stevenson and Dr. Amanda Chaney join NP Pulse to discuss the importance and means of prevention.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Hepatitis A patient handout: aanp.org/hepa
• Order printed hepatitis A patient handout pads: aanp.org/handouts

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Nurse practitioners Dr. Ruth Carrico and Dr. Hudson Garrett join NP Pulse to discuss common reasons for vaccine hesitancy in patient populations and ways that NPs can combat the myths and misunderstandings.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Continuing Education: aanp.org/CE
• 2022 AANP National Conference: aanp.org/events
• AANP COVID-19 Information: aanp.org/covid-19

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Kicking off April’s celebration of National Minority Health Month, acute care nurse practitioner and University of South Carolina College of Nursing Assistant Professor Dr. Dwayne Alleyne joins NP Pulse to share his experience surrounding health equity, minority health issues and inherent biases. Listen to this important conversation  for a fresh perspective on ways NPs can help effect the change needed to build a more inclusive and trusted health care system. Representation within the health care workforce saves lives!

Get involved today! Members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) can partner with other NPs by joining the AANP Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Community.

AANP also offers a variety of resources, including articles on the AANP News Feed and continuing education activities in the AANP CE Center, which can help you more effectively address social determinants of health and improve health equity in your community.

Be sure to register today for the 2023 AANP National Conference in New Orleans on June 20-25, where former NASA Astronaut Joan Higginbotham will inspire attendees to break through barriers and take their practices to new heights. Members get more, including a savings of at least $200 off nonmember registration rates for the in-person conference!

Earlier this year, AANP announced the opening of international memberships — the culmination of years of work to extend the benefits of our membership to NPs and APNs living outside of the U.S. To speak with us today about the creation of international memberships, the benefits of joining AANP as an international member and some of the goals of the international membership program is Liz Messner, Vice President of Membership at AANP. 

Today’s guest on NP Pulse is AANP Fellow Dr. Paula Tucker, a PhD student, clinical associate professor and the director of the emergency nurse practitioner program at Emory University.  Tucker discusses the excitement and challenges adult learners may experience, the importance of mentorship and tips to help you prioritize self-care and avoid burnout.

AANP offers a wealth of educational resources for students and faculty, including the AANP Educational Leadership Certificate Course. This comprehensive, 12-modulre program is available in the AANP CE Center and offers 11 contact hours of continuing education credit. The new AANP Student Education and Training (SET) library is free to AANP NP Student Members and features content related to clinical practice, professional development and much more. Faculty are encouraged to share this valuable member benefit with their NP students.

 

One in three people will develop shingles (herpes zoster) during their lifetime, and the risk for shingles rises sharply at age 50. The single greatest way to prevent shingles is through shingles vaccination, and nurse practitioners (NPs) are well-positioned to improve vaccination rates. In this podcast episode, NP immunization specialists Drs. Audrey Stevenson and Ruth Carrico are joined by special guest Dr. Elisabeth Cohen, a physician, as they discuss the burden of shingles, the importance of vaccination and how NPs can make an impact in this area.

Resources:

• Shingles Vaccination: It’s Time to Tame the Beast Lurking Within.
• Shingles Tool for Patients.
• Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS).

This podcast was made possible by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.

Diabetes affects more than 37 million Americans, which is about 11% of the population. Approximately 90-95% of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes (T2D), and people living with T2D are increasingly cared for by nurse practitioners (NPs). On today’s podcast we are joined by NPs Drs. Shannon Idzik and Kathryn Evans-Kreider to discuss case studies of commonly encountered issues in the management of T2D. Listen in and think about how you would approach the development of the management plans for these patients described in the case studies.

This AANP-accredited podcast, "Type 2 Diabetes: Case Studies in Individualized Care," is part of a six-part series in the “Clinical Advantage Bootcamp: Type 2 Diabetes Management Certificate for Nurse Practitioners,” which was funded by independent medical educational grants from Mylan Inc., a Viatris Company, and Novo Nordisk Inc.

To earn 1.25 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit for this episode, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through December 2024.

On today’s episode, AANP President-Elect Dr. Stephen Ferrara introduces himself and shares his vision for AANP and for NPs across the country. Ferrara is an actively practicing NP and serves as the associate dean of clinical affairs and an assistant professor at Columbia University. Ferrara has been a strong advocate for NPs and patients in the state of New York and beyond.

Those attending the 2023 AANP National Conference in New Orleans are encouraged to attend the General Session on Saturday, June 24. During this session, attendees will participate in the annual membership meeting, and incoming and outgoing AANP elected leaders, including Ferrara, will be recognized.

Now is the time for NPs to get involved! Join or renew your membership in AANP today. Members get more, including free continuing education (CE) activities with the Course of the Month, complimentary access to peer-reviewed articles and a quick and easy way to transfer your CE credit for certification or recertification — at no additional cost to you! Members enjoy significant savings off conference registration, including the 2023 AANP National Conference — On-Demand June 28-Aug. 3 and the 2023 AANP Fall Conference in Austin, Texas, Sept. 7-10, where you can earn an AANP Introductory Certificate in Leadership or select sessions from five exciting topical areas.

Happy NP Week from AANP!

This year the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® is recognizing heroes in health care during National NP Week, and the NP Pulse podcast has devoted the entire week to mini-episodes featuring nurse practitioners (NPs) sharing their stories. In this final NP Week episode, you’ll hear from NP Joy Uduehi who shares her unique journey on becoming a nurse practitioner and her valuable perspective on staying positive throughout the challenges she has faced. Listen and be reminded why nurse practitioners are deserving of all the recognition they receive and more.

Thank you to every Nurse Practitioner listening. Health care and the communities that you serve all greatly benefit from your dedication and expertise and AANP is proud to support and celebrate you.

Learn more about the NP role and the NP Week celebration at aanp.org/NPWeek.

 

The first in a series featuring deans of nursing schools from across the country, NP Pulse welcomes Dean Vincent Guilamo-Ramos of Duke University as we celebrate the leaders who are responsible for making NP education happen!

 

Resources from this episode:

• 2022 AANP Health Policy Conference: aanp.org/hpc22
• Future of Nursing 2020–2030 Report: nam.edu
• More about Dean Ramos: duke.edu

 

Join AANP Today: join.aanp.org

Nurse practitioners (NPs) in a wide variety of settings are key to the identification and treatment of numerous conditions affecting women of all ages. As guidelines change — and occasionally seem to conflict — NPs must be able to individualize guidance for screening, testing and treatment using the most current recommendations and a shared approach to decision making.

In this second of a two-part series, women’s health expert faculty Kahlil Demonbreun, Lisa Chism and Nancy Berman discuss key updates in women’s health, including guidelines related to sexual desire disorders, vasomotor symptoms of menopause, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, overactive bladder and abnormal uterine bleeding (including anemia).

Today’s podcast is intended as a broad overview of the most recent changes.

To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through May 2025.

More than 11,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) participated in the 2022 American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) National Workforce Survey. A comprehensive report detailing the findings related to NP compensation has just been released! Joining Dr. Sophia Thomas on this episode of NP Pulse is AANP Vice President of Research Christine Tracy, who highlights the importance of research related to the NP role and discusses the many insights NPs can receive from the 2022 AANP NP Compensation Report.

AANP members have free access to the 2022 AANP Nurse Practitioner Compensation Report through their AANP member account or through AANP.org. Nonmembers may purchase the report for $219. If you are not yet an AANP member, by joining AANP today, you can gain access to the report and save up to $164!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding to the information on opioid use disorder (OUD) provided during Episode 65 of the NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® podcast, AANP Fellow Dr. Laura Leahy and AANP member Colleen Barry return to share their expertise and knowledge on various aspects of OUD management and patient education.

Resources from this episode: OUD Point of Care Tool 

This activity is supported by educational funding provided by Indivior, Inc.

Learn more about AANP at aanp.org and explore dozens of continuing education activities for NPs in the AANP CE Center.

Join host Dr. Sophia Thomas and AANP Fellow Barbara Dehn, who is known worldwide as “Nurse Barb,” as they discuss menopause and sexual health. This podcast will help you address several important questions that your patients may be hesitant to ask. Dehn discusses what patients may experience during menopause, and when they may begin noticing these changes. Hear why it is important for patients to discuss their sexual health with their health care providers. Discover how NPs can broach these subjects with patients and help minimize harmful stigmas related to sex and aging.

NPs interested in learning even more about menopause are invited to visit the AANP CE Center and complete “Exhausted at Menopause: Recognition and Treatment Options,” which is presented by Dehn. Another resource is AANP’s Women’s Health Community, where AANP members can join for $20 annually and exchange knowledge, engage in discussions and much more.

Are you interested in the intersection of health policy and health care delivery? Consider attending the 2024 Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28-30. Participants will make congressional visits, learn from industry experts and earn approximately 16.5 contact hours of continuing education credit.

For the third installment of the dean’s series, NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® features a conversation with Dr. Sarah Szanton, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and director of its Center on Innovative Care in Aging. Dean Szanton discusses her early career as a health care advocate in Washington, D.C., the observations and experiences that prompted her to enter the nursing profession and the important role nurse practitioners (NPs) and other nurses have in addressing social determinants of health.

If you are interested in earning an educational leadership certificate or earning continuing education credit in six key topical areas, register for the 2022 AANP Fall Conference. You may attend in Anaheim, California, Sept. 15-19, or online Sept. 15-Oct. 12. Remember, members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) get more, including significant discounts on conference registration. To recognize an NP leader for clinical excellence — or anyone who has made a positive impact by advocating for the NP role — submit a nomination for the 2023 AANP State Award for Excellence before the Sept. 9 deadline.

Over 14 million people in the US have osteoporosis, and each year, there will be 2 million fractures due to the disease. Osteoporosis is a silent, yet preventable disease, and NPs are uniquely positioned to change this trajectory.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Osteoporosis Continuing Education: aanp.org/ce

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Dr. James Q. Simmons is a founding and continuing Clinical Ambassador for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Let’s Stop HIV Together” campaign. Also known as Ask the NP on social media, Simmons shares the importance of eliminating stigma and talking to patients about ways they can reduce the risk of HIV transmission, including using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). If you're a nurse practitioner interested in connecting with colleagues to discuss the latest in HIV prevention and treatment, consider joining the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Infectious Disease and HIV Community.

Michelle Edwards serves as the first ever Chief Experience Officer at Providence, one of the nation’s largest health systems. Today she speaks about this position and the importance of following your passion and convictions throughout your career.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Join AANP Today and Save using code NPWEXTRA: aanp.org/npwextra
• NP Week: aanp.org/npweek

NPs may already know Dr. Bernadette Melnyk from her numerous appearances in media; her work as a published author and advocate for evidence-based practice; and as a member of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. In this wide-ranging discussion with host Dr. Sophia Thomas on NP Pulse, listeners will get to know Melnyk more personally through her stories of resilience in the face of trauma and her passion for the NP role. If emotions are contagious, as Dr. Melynk believes, be prepared to catch joy and feel grateful along with our guest.

And if you haven't watched already, click here to see Bern on PBS NewsHour on the topic of NP burnout.

In the U.S., the incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) has increased significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are crucial in the identification and treatment of people with MDD and can make a major impact on their lives. Listen in as psych-mental health NPs Drs. Lisa Anderson and Brayden Kameg discuss the symptoms, screening tools, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care of the patient with MDD.

Resources

Major Depressive Disorder: Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes https://aanp.inreachce.com/Details/Information/3f326558-d7d8-432a-bef5-c902b056d7b9?ref=featured

Major Depressive Disorder Patient Education Tool https://storage.aanp.org/www/documents/practice/therapeutic-areas/Major-Depressive-Disorder-Tool.pdf

 

Supported by an educational grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

CPT James Dickens shares his experiences as an NP in a leadership role tackling public health emergencies in the U.S. and abroad — including being the officer in charge of the Commissioned Corps Ebola Response Team in West Africa.

 

Resources from this episode:

• AANP Professional Development Opportunities: aanp.org/IMPACT
• Leadership Continuing Education (CE): aanp.org/leadership
• 2022 AANP National Conference: aanp.org/national22

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Today we are joined by two past presidents of AANP and the current Chair of the AANP Nominations Council to discuss how you can help shape the future of your association. Voting is open now through March 31, 2022.

 

Resources from this episode:

• AANP Members - Vote Now: aanp.org/vote
• Meet the Candidates: aanp.org/candidates
• Learn More About AANP Elections: aanp.org/elections

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

In this episode, April Johnson and Dr. Susan Quisenberry discuss how to recognize and diagnose ankylosing spondylitis through several case studies. They will also cover the importance of early referrals and treatment initiation. To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation.

You can obtain continuing education credit for this podcast until May, 2024

 

This podcast was made possible by an independent medical education grant from Novartis.

In this episode, you'll learn how you can access several innovative new benefits recently launched by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP). Hear from Vice President (VP) of Accreditation, Conferences and Education Theresa M Campo DNP, APRN, FAANP, FAAN; VP of Practice and Professional Partnerships Diane L. Padden, PhD, CRNP, FAANP; and VP of Membership Liz Messner, CAE, IOM, as they share their appreciation for AANP members and provide insights about valuable new members-only tools and resources like the free Course of the Month program, timely Clinical Practice Briefs and Point of Care Tools, the Collaborative Learning Network and a revolutionary data sharing option that can streamline your certification or recertification process with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.

Learn more about these new benefits and more at https://aanp.org/new-benefits. To obtain the latest health policy updates and advocate with your colleagues on Capitol Hill, be sure to register for the 2023 AANP Health Policy Conference, which is scheduled to be held on Jan. 29-31 in Washington, D.C. https://aanp.org/hpc23. 

Hear from AANP member Dr. Pamela Jeffries, author of The NLN Jeffries Simulation Theory, as she discusses why she chose to become a nurse, her career trajectory, current role, NP education, simulation and more. Jeffries is renowned for her leadership and research in both nursing and health care education. An innovator in teaching strategies, experiential learning, new pedagogies and the use of technology, Jeffries is currently the dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.  

Attend the 2023 AANP Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 29-31 to earn up to 15 CH of CE credit and gain insights from leading health policy experts. AANP members get more, including significant discounts on conference registration, CE activities and more! If you are not already an AANP member, consider joining this vibrant, impactful NP community today.

Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner LeTizia Baxter Smith joins NP Pulse to offer her expertise on the topic of burnout — providing steps that institutions can take to mitigate its negative effects on health care workers.

 

Resources from this episode:

• AANP NP Wellness Resources: aanp.org/NPwellness
• NP Wellness Sessions at 2022 AANP National Conference: aanp.org/national22

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Happy NP Week from AANP!

This year the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® is recognizing heroes in health care during National NP Week, and the NP Pulse podcast is devoting the entire week to mini-episodes featuring nurse practitioners (NPs) sharing their stories. In this episode, you’ll hear from NP Veronica Edwards who shares her story of working on an Indian reservation and rural populations that struggle with receiving access to care. Thank you to all Nurse Practitioners that work everyday to help those achieve the care they need and deserve.

Learn more about the NP role and the NP Week celebration at aanp.org/NPWeek.

In this episode, Drs. Midge Bowers and Leslie Davis review the four pillars of therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. They outline the role of the NP in reducing the high morbidity and mortality rates by ensuring their patients with HFeRF are offered the latest guideline-recommended treatments.

To claim 1.0 contact hours of CE with 1.0 RX for this activity go to: Four Pillars of Medications for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFeRF) (inreachce.com), enter the participation code provided at the end of the podcast and complete the posttest and evaluation.

Additional Downloadable Resources:

Heart_Failure_Provider_Resource.pdf (aanp.org)

Download this episode's transcript here.

Hear from Dr. Laurel Short, an expert in the field of migraine treatment and member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP), as she discusses the symptoms, diagnostic criteria and treatment of this debilitating condition. Short also provides a variety of resources to support nurse practitioners and their patients with migraine. To learn more about migraine treatment, AANP members can access free clinical practice briefs at https://aanp.org/poc and may consider joining one or more AANP Communities for just $20 each, including the Neurology or Pain Management Specialty Practice Groups at https://aanp.org/communities.   Additional Resources

• American Headache Society (AHS).
  • First Contact: https://americanheadachesociety.org/primarycare.
  • Primary or Secondary Headache: https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Primary_or_Secondary_Headache.pdf.
  • Red Flags in Headache: https://americanheadachesociety.org/news/red-flags-in-headache-what-if-it-isnt-migraine.
• Your Migraine Toolkit for Patients: https://yourmigrainetoolkit.com.
• National Headache Foundation Headache SeverityTests: https://headaches.org/resources/headache-tests.

Up to 88% of persons exploited by trafficking are seen by a health care provider without being identified as victims. Dr. Jessica Peck, an NP expert in human trafficking education for health care providers, discusses the NP’s role in trafficking.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Human Trafficking CE: aanp.org/education
• 2022 AANP Health Policy Conference: aanp.org/hpc
• 2022 AANP National Conference: aanp.org/national

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

To close out this year’s National Minority Health Month, NP Pulse is joined by mentor, nurse motivator, expert critical care nurse practitioner and AANP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee member Dr. Danielle McCamey.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Martin Luther King III at National Conference: aanp.org/national22
• AANP DEI Community: aanp.org/communities
• Meet the AANP DEI Committee: aanp.org/DEI

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

To speak about the environmental and occupational health of veterans from an NP’s perspective, NP Pulse is proud to welcome Lt. Cashmere “Cash” Miller, a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officer working in the Atlanta VA Health Care System. With host Sophia Thomas, Miller discusses toxic substances, from burn pit particles to Agent Orange, that veterans may have been exposed to while serving. Miller also shares what the PACT Act — an expansion of VA health care for veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military — means to affected patients and their NPs. Finally, Thomas and Miller talk about the importance of whole-person care, and why NPs are crucial to providing the best health care possible to veterans.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are key to increasing health equity for patients. In this podcast episode, AANP Fellow Dr. William Rosa — a palliative care expert and behavioral scientist — discusses inequitable access to pain management and palliative care, highlighting ways NPs can make a positive difference. Rosa was honored with the prestigious 2022 AANP Fellows Loretta C. Ford Award and the 2023 AANP Towers Pinnacle Award for his significant contributions to advancing the NP role nationally and internationally. Listen as Rosa shares his wealth of knowledge and powerful stories, providing pearls you can use today in your practice and with your patients.

If you’d like to learn more about pain management, palliative care and advocacy, register to attend the 2023 AANP National Conference in New Orleans on June 20-25. This event offers the perfect opportunity to build your NP network while exchanging ideas and knowledge with others — plus, you’ll gain access to more than 80 on-demand sessions June 28-Aug. 3. Don’t miss a keynote by former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham, who will inspire you to break through barriers and take your practice to new heights. Members get more, including a savings of at least $200 off nonmember registration rates for the in-person conference!

Additional resources are available at aanp.org, including patient education tools, and continuing education activities that will support your practice. Visit the AANP News Feed frequently for the latest NP news and articles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy NP Week from AANP!

We are celebrating this year by Recognizing Heroes in Health Care, and NP Pulse is devoting the entire week to mini-episodes featuring everyday NPs sharing their stories. In this episode you’ll hear from Nancy Rudner who pursued the role of Nurse Practitioner from almost the inception and has devoted her career to helping those that have struggled with accessing health care. Listen as she shares some of her stories that highlight the positive impact nurse practitioners can make on their patients and in communities. And don’t forget to continue to share how you have provided access to care on social media and on the aanp.org/shareyourstory because these are the stories that can inspire change.

Learn more about the NP role and the NP Week celebration at aanp.org/NPWeek.

Two graduates of the 2021 AANP Executive Leadership Program cohort, Monica Nandwani and Doug Smith, join NP Pulse to recount their experiences in the program and discuss the importance of NP leadership now and in the future.

 

Resources from this episode:

• AANP Executive Leadership Program: aanp.org/leadership
• AANP NP Wellness Resources: aanp.org/communities

 

Join AANP Today: join.aanp.org

 

The prerequisite 12-module AANP Leadership Certificate course was presented in-person at the 2021 AANP Fall Conference. Recordings of those sessions will be available in the AANP CE Center in early November and will also meet the prerequisite requirement to apply for the AANP Executive Leadership Program.  

Women's health experts and nurse practitioners, Nancy Berman and Dr. Shelagh Larson talk about vulvovaginal health.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Free CE: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Treatment Updates: aanp.org/cecenter

 

Join AANP today: aanp.org/membership

 

Funded by an independent education grant from Scynexis.

On this episode of NP Pulse, Sophia talks with Dr. John Russell, who has dedicated his career to helping advance the NP role by offering a variety of skill-enhancing courses through his company Skills on Point. One of the exciting courses offered by Russell’s company is the upcoming Hospital and Emergency Procedure Course taking place on Sept. 18 in Reno, Nevada — one day before the official start of the 2024 AANP Fall Conference. The course includes training for the inpatient, emergency and transport settings, and could be a game changer for the NP looking to advance their career. Life learners with all experience levels will appreciate John's hands-on approach to learning — and the excellent value presented in this all-day, immersive course.

On this episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, Drs. Mary Koslap-Petraco and Ruth Carrico will discuss meningococcal disease, the maze of meningococcal vaccines, ACIP recommendations and the use of shared clinical decision-making. Meningococcal disease — a life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis — demands our attention. It strikes swiftly, leaving devastation in its wake. Still, we have powerful tools at our disposal: MenACWY and MenB vaccines, and a new, game-changing pentavalent vaccine that covers serogroups A, B, C, W and Y. Additionally, a meningitis point-of-care tool will be available on AANP’s Tools and Resources page.

To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through June 2025.

This educational activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from GSK.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) in a wide variety of settings are key to the identification and treatment of numerous conditions affecting women of all ages. As guidelines change — and occasionally seem to conflict — NPs must be able to individualize guidance to screening, testing and treatment using the most current recommendations and a shared approach to decision making.

In the first of a two-part series, women’s health expert faculty Kahlil Demonbreun, Lisa Chism and Nancy Berman discuss key updates in women’s health, including guidelines related to cervical cancer screening and testing, osteoporosis and breast health. Today’s podcast is intended as a broad overview of the most recent changes.

To earn 1.25 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through May 2025.

Cannabis, CBD, THC, Delta-8—we should have informed, evidence-based answers and create an environment in which they feel comfortable talking about their use of cannabinoids. Joining NP Pulse today to unpack these issues is NP Dr. Tracy Klein.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Kratom exposures journal article: agsjournals.com
• Cannabis and Controlled Substance CE: aanp.org/CE

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

Colon cancer is the third most commonly occurring cancer and is treatable in about 90% of people with early detection. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so today we’re illuminating the NP’s role in helping to make this disease history.

 

Resources from this episode:

• Colorectal Cancer Sessions at AANP 2022 National Conference: aanp.org/national22 and search “colorectal”
• AANP Gastroenterology Community: aanp.org/communities
• Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines: uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org

 

Join AANP Today: aanp.org/membership

In this podcast, diabetes experts Debbie Hinnen and Dr. Shannon Idzik provide an overview of hypoglycemia, its treatments and the critical importance of having a plan in place for your patients to manage hypoglycemia when it occurs. They discuss the use of an educational tool that you can use to provide education about hypoglycemia with your patients and to establish an individualized, written plan for them to prepare for and manage hypoglycemia. Print this hypoglycemia resource tool, listen in and follow along as diabetes experts Hinnen and Idzik prepare you to ensure that all of your patients at risk have a hypoglycemia plan in place.   To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through May 2025.   This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

October is Liver Awareness Month. Tune in to this podcast featuring NP experts Drs. Amanda Chaney and Kelly Casler as they describe the new nomenclature surrounding nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and walk you through engaging case studies. To expand on your learning be sure to check out the accompanying webinar in the AANP CE Center What's New with NASH? (inreachce.com)

Two practical educational tools have been developed along with this activity. NASH_Tool_1.pdf (aanp.org) and NASH_Tool_2.pdf (aanp.org)

This program is supported by independent medical educational grants from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals & Novo Nordisk Inc.

 

In this episode, Drs. Leslie Davis and Margaret "Midge" Bowers discuss how to diagnose and treat resistant hypertension. To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation.

This podcast was made possible by an independent medical education grant from Medtronic.

 

 

On this episode, two Clinical Ambassadors for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Let’s Stop HIV Together” campaign, Drs. Jason Farley and James Q. Simmons, join Dr. Sophia Thomas to discuss queer sexual health. Farley is a world-renowned nurse scientist and epidemiologist who specializes in HIV prevention, treatment and associated co-infections. An adult nurse practitioner (NP), Farley directs the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Center for Infectious Disease and Nursing Innovation and designs interventions that support an equitable care experience tailored to each patient’s needs. Simmons is an acute care NP, on-air medical contributor and social media influencer whose relatable and reliable messaging resonates with patients and health care providers alike. Listen for tips to help you create a safer, more welcoming environment for your patients — including those within the LGBTQIA+ community — and to support your goal of providing accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is proud to partner with the CDC to increase awareness of the “Let’s Stop HIV Together” campaign, HIV Nexus resources for clinicians and HIV prevention information. You can get more involved by attending informative sessions at AANP conferences,  joining one or more AANP Communities, reading articles on the AANP News Feed and completing sessions within the AANP CE Center.

Happy NP Week from AANP!

We are celebrating this year by Recognizing Heroes in Health Care, and NP Pulse is devoting the entire week to mini-episodes featuring everyday NPs sharing their stories. Today, Elena Prendergast, a palliative care nurse practitioner and mother, joins to share her story about entering the nursing profession later in life and reminding us that it's never to late to follow your passion. And please remember to share on social media why pursuing a career as a NP is so worthwhile!

Learn more about the NP role and the NP Week celebration at aanp.org/NPWeek.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine. IBS affects approximately 1 in 20 people in the U.S. The impact of IBS on an individual's quality of life can be significant, as it can cause chronic pain, discomfort and disruption to daily activities.

Hear nurse practitioners Kim Kearns and Christina Hanson share their experiences and offer insights on the updated American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines.

AANP offers a variety of resources:

• Continuing education activities in the AANP CE Center. • AANP's Collaborative Learning Network at https://aanp.org/cln, where you can join our experts and others in conversations on various topics. • AANP Gastroenterology Specialty Practice Group at https://www.aanp.org/membership/aanp-communities.

This podcast was made possible by an educational grant from AbbVie.

NP Pulse returns this week with guest Alexander Wrynn, whose presentation at the 2024 AANP National Conference was entitled “Don’t be Rash: Mastering Penicillin Allergies.” With host Sophia Thomas, Wrynn discusses classifying and managing penicillin allergies, and walks us through what he has learned in his practice about self-reported allergies to this antibiotic.  

Happy NP Week from AANP!

This year the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® is recognizing heroes in health care during National NP Week, and the NP Pulse podcast is devoting the entire week to mini-episodes featuring nurse practitioners (NPs) sharing their stories. In this episode, you’ll hear from two NPs, Rosha Joshi and Tracey Smith, who practice via telehealth, expanding access to health care for patients in their community and beyond. NPs remain at the forefront of health care delivery, meeting their patients' needs via telehealth and finding other innovative ways to increase access to high-quality health care for patients everywhere.

Learn more about the NP role and the NP Week celebration at aanp.org/NPWeek.

Thanks to all of our dedicated listeners, NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® has reached our 100th episode!

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® empowers all nurse practitioners through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership, also known as P.E.A.R.L. NP Pulse prioritizes this mission by focusing on these values in every conversation featured on the podcast. On this special episode, host Dr. Sophia Thomas is joined by AANP president Dr. Stephen Ferrara to revisit topics and guests beginning with our first episode released in September 2020. Listen to the selected clips showcasing NP leadership, the importance of NP advocacy, sexual health and so much more. In 2024, NP Pulse will continue to produce meaningful content that is important to you and your patients.

Attend the 2024 AANP Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28 - Jan. 30. Participants make congressional visits, learn from industry experts and earn approximately 16.5 contact hours of continuing education credit.

Listen as AANP Vice President of Accreditation, Conferences and Education Dr. Theresa Campo speaks with two AANP members who are recent NP graduates regarding their experiences as nurse practitioner (NP) students. AANP is committed to supporting NP students along their journey from program selection through clinical practice. Campo shares some exciting new resources — available exclusively to AANP NP Student Members — to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. The new AANP Student Education and Training (AANP SET) platform provides a variety of free activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion, clinical practice and professional development. Members will also benefit from the informative , which contains a wealth of information on everything from interviewing to reimbursement.

AANP membership is for all NPs and NP students!  Join today and gain access to all the benefits of membership, including valuable discounts on conference registration, 12 free continuing education activities annually with the Course of the Month program and free access for AANP NP Student Members to AANP SET.

 

Dr. Peter Buerhaus, a well-known nurse, healthcare economist and author of NPs: A Solution to America’s Primary Health Care Crisis, discusses the important role that NPs play—and the value that they bring—to America’s health care system.

 

Resources from this episode:

• NPs: A Solution to America’s Primary Health Care Crisis: aei.org
• AANP Research Resources: aanp.org/research
• $101 million to Montana State University school of nursing: montana.edu

 

Join AANP Today: join.aanp.org

How can health care providers like nurse practitioners help their male patients feel comfortable coming in for visits and discussing their most intimate issues — including but not limited to erectile dysfunction, low testosterone and more? Joining host Dr. Sophia Thomas on this episode of NP Pulse are Nick Cannone, associate medical director at Maze Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health, and AANP president Stephen Ferrara. Together, they talk all about men’s health — and make a great case as to why men should be talking about their health, too.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) Dr. Laura Leahy, an AANP Fellow, and Colleen Barry, an AANP member, join the NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® podcast to share their expertise on opioid use disorder (OUD). In this episode, they discuss their experience and offer insights on various aspects of OUD, inspiring NPs to consider the importance of using non-stigmatizing words to create a safe place for patients to be open with their health care professionals.

Resources from this episode: Opioid Use Disorder Point of Care Tool

This activity is supported by educational funding provided by Indivior, Inc.

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Christy Blanco, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, shares insights regarding the use of bioidentical hormones to support women's health on today's episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®. Look for continuing education sessions taught by Blanco in the AANP CE Center and during the 2022 AANP National Conference. To access all the benefits of AANP membership, join today.

Prescribing and deprescribing for the geriatric population can be complex. In this podcast, NP experts Drs. Shantha Franks and Audrey Stevenson will review the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of aging, discuss inappropriate prescribing and the American Geriatrics Society Beer's Criteria, and walk you through the process of deprescribing with use of a case study.

To earn 0.9 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, all of which is Rx credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through March 2025.

Resources

https://deprescribing.org/resources/

https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/deprescribing-patient-safety-strategy

Hear from Dr. Charles Buscemi, a family nurse practitioner, clinical professor and wound care expert, on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion within health care. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are ideally positioned to ensure all patients have access to high-quality health care and to be advocates for those who lack adequate representation. This podcast episode offers steps you can take to be even more effective.

Get involved! Members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) can partner with other NPs by joining the AANP Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Community. Articles and resources on the AANP website and continuing education activities in the AANP CE Center can help you more effectively address social determinants of health and improve health equity in your community.

Be sure to register today for the 2023 AANP National Conference in New Orleans on June 20-25, which offers the perfect opportunity to diversify your NP network while exchanging ideas and knowledge with others. Don’t miss the keynote by former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham, who will inspire attendees to break through barriers and take their practices to new heights. Members get more, including a savings of at least $200 off nonmember registration rates for the in-person conference!

In this episode, AANP members Drs. Ruth Carrico and Audrey Stevenson examine real-world influenza vaccination safety and efficacy evidence. They also discuss how nurse practitioners (NPs) can integrate evidence-based strategies to promote influenza vaccination and reduce disparities in vaccination rates.

Download a related resource tool for NPs. 

 

This podcast was made possible by an independent educational grant from Seqirus.