Rebecca Arnold, a holistic leadership coach, discusses the challenges of disillusionment and burnout in mission-driven professions like nursing and medicine. She emphasizes the importance of addressing emotions and processing them in a safe and titrated manner. Rebecca highlights the concept of the window of tolerance and suggests practices like meditation and mindfulness to expand it. She also emphasizes the value of emotions as sources of information and intuition. The path from...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr and Amanda Guarniere discuss negotiating a raise as a nurse practitioner. They emphasize the importance of collecting data about your job performance and your value to the organization. They also highlight the need to consider the employer's perspective and understand what matters to them. The conversation covers productivity metrics, RVUs (Relative Value Units), and the importance of building a case for a raise. They also discuss the different factors to...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr and Kara Pesola discuss the challenges and common experiences of new nurse practitioners (NPs). They highlight the importance of support and mentorship for new grads and address the imposter syndrome many NPs experience. They also discuss the common questions and concerns that new NPs have, such as managing complex conditions and navigating controlled substances. The conversation emphasizes the need for new NPs to trust their judgment, seek guidance when needed,...

In this episode, I share my experiences and insights on starting a mentorship program, drawing from my own journey as a nurse practitioner and founder of Real World NP. I discussed the context of mentorship, the structure of one-on-one and group mentorship programs, the frequency and duration of mentorship meetings, and the topics to cover. Additionally, I covered the importance of creating a safe psychological space for mentees and the value of peer support in mentorship...

Michelle, a board-certified family nurse practitioner with experience in urgent care, shares her journey and insights into the field. She discusses the differences between urgent care and primary care, the challenges of not having access to medical records in urgent care, and the importance of collaboration between the two. Michelle also provides advice for those interested in working in urgent care and recommends resources for further learning. Takeaways - Urgent care is a bridge between...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr interviews Jennifer Carlquist, a physician assistant with extensive experience in cardiology, who discusses the assessment and management of chest pain. They covered:  - Assessing cardiac versus noncardiac chest pain - Assessing risk for MI and when to send patients to the ED or not - What EKG findings to watch out for, and how to learn more to build your ekg reading confidence (and what’s new!) - What we can do for patients to assess and manage heart disease...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr and Shelby Pope discuss the importance of taking a comprehensive history of substance use, and how to assess and treat stimulant use disorder. They cover the challenges healthcare providers face in asking the right questions, and emphasize the need for open conversations and non-judgmental approaches. They cover screening for addiction, how to elicit a substance use history, including types and routes of substance use. Shelby covers the mechanism of action of...

In this episode, Liz Rohr interviews Shelby Pope, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, they discuss the stigma around addiction, the importance of supporting patients with opiate use disorder while exploring Shelby’s journey into addiction medicine and impacts of this field.  This episode includes discussion of various treatment options for opiate use disorder, including naltrexone and buprenorphine, including the importance of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, while emphasizing the...

We’re expanding our course catalog at Real World NP! This time, we’re collaborating with specialists, making courses tailored for primary care providers. Our goal is to provide comprehensive and practical courses for nurse practitioners and PAs, and to bridge the gap between primary care and specialty care. We want NPs to have the knowledge and resources to provide the best care within their scope of practice. Share your input about what courses you want to see first! Head over to...

Welcome back to Season 3 of the Real World NP Podcast! This episode is an interview with yours truly - I want to share a bit of a “reset” with what’s going on with Real World NP, where we started, where we’re going, and how you can be involved. I also want to share a bit that has changed behind the scenes, and how we’re incorporating more of a social justice and equity lens— not just inside the clinical teaching, but overall practices inside the company.  One of the core reasons behind the...

On this week’s episode I want to give you some permission if you feel like you need it— To be a whole human with needs, feelings, desires, and cares. To do what feels authentically right to you. We’re plopped into a healthcare system that is specifically NOT set up for humans to be humans, and is designed for us to operate like machines. And it takes a LOT of courage to stay true to ourselves and what we want and need when we’re also trying to stay safe— financially, emotionally,...

In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to share my conversation with Lauryn Williams, an extraordinary individual who has not only achieved greatness on the athletic track but also in the realm of financial planning. Lauryn's story is a powerful example of how discipline, dedication, and a willingness to learn can lead to success in multiple arenas of life. Her transition from an Olympic athlete to a certified financial planner is not just inspiring; it's a lesson in reinventing oneself and...

Welcome to our latest podcast episode, where I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Dr. Omolara Uwemedimo.  Today's conversation is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and community in healthcare. Dr. Omolara shares her journey from being a pediatrician to founding two revolutionary organizations aimed at transforming healthcare for under-resourced communities. Through Strong Children Wellness and Melanin and Medicine, she is not just treating patients...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brooke Nielsen to explore a topic that is both fascinating and incredibly relevant to our work as healthcare professionals—the Drama Triangle. We've all seen it, whether we recognized it at the time or not. Those moments when interactions with colleagues or patients suddenly feel like a scene straight out of a play, with clear roles of victim, rescuer, and persecutor taking shape. Brooke and I explored how these roles influence our work...

In this episode, I explore a crucial topic shaping healthcare today - caretaker fatigue. Join me as I delve into an enlightening conversation with my dear friend and Executive Coach, Catherine Wood.  Cat shares invaluable insights about balancing work-life commitments and the importance of recognizing and meeting our personal needs for sustainable career longevity.  Even if you feel like you've heard all there is about burnout, I promise this conversation brings fresh perspectives and...

Are you a nurse practitioner feeling lost, uncertain, or unfulfilled in your career? This raw, honest, and needed conversation with Amanda Guarniere, the founder of Resume RX, explores: The career challenges NPs are facingAlternative career paths many NPs are consideringChanging power dynamics between employers and employeesHow to think about career changes and honor YOURSELF in the process We dive into the growing concerns among NPs regarding stagnant wages, shifting power dynamics between...

In this video, I sit down with two incredible NP colleagues and friends, Kara and Heather, for a candid conversation about the rollercoaster ride of being a nurse practitioner. We delved deep into our shared experiences, tackling everything from the highs of fulfilling our calling to the challenges that can sometimes leave our compassionate hearts feeling a bit weary. Burnout, boundary setting, and the beautiful power of teamwork — it's all on the table. 💖 Join us for a heart-to-heart chat...

I am thrilled to introduce you to Midge Bowers. Not only is Midge a Clinical Professor and Director of the cardiovascular specialty at Duke University School of Nursing, she practices as a nurse practitioner in a Heart Failure Access Clinic. She’s an expert in cardiology, a seasoned healthcare educator, and shares so much incredible knowledge in this jam-packed episode. In this episode, we covered: The importance of looking beyond creatinine levelsHow to focus on practical aspects of...

This week, I have an episode for you that I think is even MORE important than the clinical knowledge that I share — navigating NP burnout. Meet Cait Donovan, an International Keynote Speaker, host of “Fried – The Burnout Podcast,” author of the book "The Bouncebackability Factor", and an acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Chinese medicine. Her creative burnout recovery solutions have been featured on podcasts and online magazines such as “Forbes”, “NPR,” and “The New York Post.” We chat...

Whether you're a recent NP graduate or someone transitioning between specialties, this video will help ease that overwhelming feeling and help you discover your unique approach to practice. If you liked this post, also check out: Pillars of NP PracticeLeukocytosis Case Study Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction01:22 - Purpose of the Episode02:35 - Understanding Philosophies of Practice04:23 - Evolution of Practice08:21 - Navigating the Transition Read the blog post...

If you’re a new NP grad making your way into practice, I think you’ll find today’s video super helpful. (And even if you’re not a new grad, it’s still worth the watch — both to understand what we’ve been through and to help us mentor students and new grads ourselves.) In this episode, I talk about the challenges new grads face — from sneaky imposter syndrome to the overwhelming clinical knowledge demands. It can feel like an absolute rollercoaster from one moment to the next. It wasn’t until...

Welcome to our brand new podcast season! We're absolutely pumped to bring you a fresh wave of episodes that will be a game-changer for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) on their journey. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, we've got you covered. In this season, we're introducing some exciting changes behind the scenes to make your listening experience even more rewarding. Expect enhanced content, engaging interviews with healthcare experts, and an interactive community that fosters...

Hello there, we are actually going to be taking a season break on the Real World NP Podcast. But don’t worry, we’re coming back! We’re taking some time to do some regrouping, work on some things behind the scenes, and get ready for a whole new season of episodes for you. If you want to be involved with us, in the meantime, myself and the Real World NP team, I definitely recommend that you head over to the Real World NP email list. And you can join over at realworldnp.com/guide. What we’re...

It’s hard not to worry about malpractice when you’re taking on new levels of responsibility as a new nurse practitioner. Irnise Williams is not only a health law lawyer, she now focuses on the education and legal work to help prevent malpractice cases in the first place. AAAAAND she’s a nurse herself! Still taking care of patients as a covid float nurse while also running her legal practice, she’s truly a unicorn. She and I sat down and discussed the questions nurse practitioners and students...