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

130. Resting in the Uncomfortable

Clear and honest communication between patients and providers is key to establishing a shared understanding of both wellness and illness. On this episode of NP Pulse, Dr. Martha Francis and Sarah Somers explore different frameworks for providers to better communicate delicate and often difficult news. They also share what it means to “rest in the uncomfortable,” and how they’ve learned to best support their patients in emotional times.

129. Domestic Violence Awareness for NPs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the United States, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men 18 years of age or older experience domestic violence annually, and that domestic violence results in over 1,500 deaths per year. Today’s guest, Doncy Eapen, is a family nurse practitioner and expert on domestic violence. Eapen helps define what domestic violence is, discusses the populations most at-risk for domestic violence and explores how to screen for and best connect with patients who are experiencing harm at home. 

If you'd like to learn more about intimate partner violence and the role of the NP, you can read an article on it here in the JNP.

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence you can find help and resources here. 

128. 2024 AANP Practice and Compensation Reports

On this episode of NP Pulse, our guests are the American Association of Nurse Practitioner’s® (AANP) Vice President of Research Kate Bradley and research analyst Mitch Sellers, who join host Sophia Thomas to discuss AANP’s recently released compensation and practice reports. Together, they explore what kind of information is available in both reports; detail some of the most important findings regarding compensation; and explain why it’s important for all nurse practitioners (NPs) to access and use this data.

Download the 2024 AANP Practice and Compensation Reports here.

127. Medicare Part D: Big Changes Coming in 2025

As we approach Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, NP Pulse welcomes AANP’s president elect Valerie Fuller to discuss the big changes that have happened — and will happen starting Jan. 1 of 2025— to Medicare Part D.  Learn how seniors can opt in to the program and what changes will be taking place with regard to costs for medications, vaccines and more.

This podcast is made possible by PhRMA.

126. Unlocking Hypertension Control: The Role of Renal Denervation (CE)

Hypertension (HTN) is a leading cause of death and disability in nearly half of all Americans. Alarmingly, almost 50% of individuals with HTN are unaware of their condition, and only about 20% have it under proper medical control. Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in managing HTN, particularly in patient communication, shared decision-making and clinical expertise. On today’s episode, Dr. Leslie Davis and Maria Bonanni explore how renal denervation (RDN) reduces hypertension, and discuss clinical trials, patient selection and recent regulatory approvals. They also highlight the NP’s role in screening and educating patients about RDN through shared decision-making.

A participation code will be given at the END of the podcast - make sure to write this code down. Once you've listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and

1. Enter the participation code that was provided
2. Complete the post-test
3. Complete the activity evaluation.
   This will award your CE credit and certificate of completion.1.0 CE, through 09/30/25.

This activity is supported by an independent medical educational grant from Medtronic

125. Neurodivergence: An Autistic NP's Lived Experience

Recorded live at the 2024 AANP National Conference, this episode of NP Pulse features a conversation with North Carolina-based nurse practitioner (NP), Meriah Ward, DNP, FNP-BC. Ward was diagnosed with autism in their thirties, and they are now sharing what they’ve learned as both a patient and provider to help inform other NPs as to how they can best treat individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

124. COPD: Mining New Guidelines for Clinical Gold (CE)

More than 19 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yet, due to the underdiagnosis and underreporting of symptoms which should be red-flag indicators of risk and the need for further investigation by health care providers, the prevalence of COPD is known to be much higher. Nurse practitioners (NPs) must be familiar with recent changes in diagnostic and treatment guidelines to impact the high burden of COPD and the significant amount of preventable complications which contribute to more than one-half million hospitalizations, 1.3 million emergency department visits and over 49.9 billion in annual health care costs in the U.S..

This accredited podcast and accompanying clinical resource tool is intended to help NPs:

• Recognize the diagnosis, assessment and treatment recommendations as delineated in the latest COPD guidelines, including the major changes introduced in the 2024 GOLD report.
• Differentiate the different treatment modalities for COPD and know when to use each treatment depending on patient group.
• Compare the emerging treatment modalities currently under investigation for the management of COPD.

A participation code will be given at the END of the podcast - make sure to write this code down. Once you've listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and

1. Enter the participation code that was provided
2. Complete the post-test
3. Complete the activity evaluation.

This will award your CE credit and certificate of completion.1.0 CE, 0.5 RX, through 9/3/25. 

Click here to register for this activity. 

This program is supported in part by an independent medical educational grant from Mylan Specialty L.P., a Viatris Company.

123. Don't Miss the Signs: Early Recognition and Management of Tardive Dyskinesia (CE)

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.

122. Don’t be Rash: Mastering Penicillin Allergies

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.  

121. The Sunday Scaries: Evaluating & Treating Anxiety

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.