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Real Deal Nurse Practitioner Club
Real Deal Nurse Practitioner Club
Author: Anna Miller for Blueprint Prep Company
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The Real Deal Nurse Practitioner Club is the most inclusive exclusive hangout for nurse practitioners and aspiring nurse practitioners.
Join your host Anna Miller, as she and her guests dive deep into what you need to know before taking your exam, passing your exam, and becoming a real deal nurse practitioner!
Each week she'll cover topics such as how to pass your nurse practitioner exam the first time, overcoming test anxiety, writing your resume, negotiating contracts and honing your actual craft as a new nurse practitioner. If you are ready to become the confident clinician you know you were meant to be, then this is the podcast for you.
To find out more info about NP Reviews visit us at www.npreviews.com
Join your host Anna Miller, as she and her guests dive deep into what you need to know before taking your exam, passing your exam, and becoming a real deal nurse practitioner!
Each week she'll cover topics such as how to pass your nurse practitioner exam the first time, overcoming test anxiety, writing your resume, negotiating contracts and honing your actual craft as a new nurse practitioner. If you are ready to become the confident clinician you know you were meant to be, then this is the podcast for you.
To find out more info about NP Reviews visit us at www.npreviews.com
170 Episodes
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Herbal supplements may seem harmless, but they can have important effects on medications and patient safety. In this minisode, I review the herbal supplements nurse practitioners are most likely to encounter on exams and in clinical practice. From St. John's Wort and ginkgo to valerian root and black cohosh, this overview highlights the key uses, safety concerns, and medication interactions you should recognize. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Do alpha and beta adrenergic receptors feel confusing or overly detailed? Understanding these receptors is essential for success on your exams, and once they click, so much of pharmacology starts to make sense. In this episode, Alex and I walk through alpha and beta adrenergic receptors step by step, connecting receptor function to real medications and common board-style scenarios. You will leave with a clearer framework for answering pharmacology questions with confidence. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/alpha-beta-adrenergic-receptors Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Prescribing in pregnancy can feel intimidating, especially when a patient casually mentions they're 10 weeks along mid-visit. In this minisode, Kaitlyn and Courtney break down the core principles you need to confidently treat common pregnancy complaints, including first-line options for nausea, reflux, and infections, and which antibiotics are safe and when to avoid certain ones on boards and in practice. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Have you had that "wait… I'm the provider now" moment yet? The first year as an NP is one of the biggest professional shifts you'll ever make, and it can feel both empowering and overwhelming at the same time. In this episode, Courtney and I break down what transitioning from student to practicing NP really looks like, from orientation expectations and charting struggles to imposter syndrome and building clinical confidence. We share what's normal, what to advocate for, and how to survive that steep learning curve with safety and structure at the center. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/first-year-as-an-NP Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
TSH questions on your NP boards aren't meant to trick you, but they do test whether you understand the pattern behind thyroid labs. In this minisode, I review the normal TSH range, explain the inverse relationship between TSH and free T3 and T4, and walk through how to identify hypo versus hyperthyroidism so you can confidently interpret thyroid questions on exam day. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Have you ever thought, "Why didn't anyone tell me this sooner?" That feeling is incredibly common as you move from NP school into real practice. In this episode, Courtney and I share the lessons we wish we had known earlier, including what boards actually prepare you for, how to handle imposter syndrome, and why asking questions makes you a safer clinician, not a weaker one. This conversation is here to reassure you that learning on the job is normal, growth takes time, and you don't have to have everything figured out to be a great nurse practitioner. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/lessons-from-experienced-nps Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Hemoglobin A1c is one of the most high-yield lab values you'll see on NP boards and in real life. In this minisode, I review its alternate names, the key A1c cutoff and goal values, and how boards expect you to use trends to decide when treatment needs to be adjusted. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
When you're preparing for NP boards, screening guidelines can seem a little dry, but these recommendations show up consistently on exams and form the foundation of primary care practice. In this episode, Courtney and I run through an overview of the adult screening recommendations you'll need to know for primary care NP boards, leaning heavily on USPSTF recommendations. Discover how to think through screening questions without getting lost in the nitty gritty detail. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/primary-care-screening-guidelines-pass-np-boards Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
It's winter, which means full-blown sick season is here. In this minisode, Kaitlyn and Courtney break down three simple ways to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections and teach how to explain your clinical reasoning to patients in a way that helps them feel heard. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Hypertension is one of the most heavily tested topics on NP board exams, but recent guideline updates can make it hard to know what you actually need to focus on. In this episode, I walk you through how to think about hypertension guidelines when you're preparing for boards, including what's still being tested and what's changing in real-world practice. Learn how to study with clarity and avoid confusion around guideline updates. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/hypertension-guidelines-np-boards-matters-exam-vs-practice Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Studying during the holidays can feel overwhelming. In this minisode, I share practical study hacks to help you stay consistent without burning out, including how to use micro-study sessions and create a realistic study schedule. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
As the holidays arrive, it can feel hard to slow down when NP school, board prep, or work is still weighing on your mind. In this short episode, I share why rest isn't just okay during the holidays; it's actually part of the process. And as we look ahead to a new year, this episode invites you to reset your mindset and refocus on what really matters. You'll walk away encouraged to set realistic goals - and reconnect with why you started this journey in the first place. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/rest-reset-refocus-holiday-mindset-nurse-practitioners Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
When you're gearing up for your board exam, practice questions are one of the most powerful tools you can use - but only if you're using them the right way. In this minisode, Courtney and I answer common questions about practice questions, like how many to do each day and what scores you should be aiming for in practice exams. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
When you're stepping into clinical practice, difficult diagnoses can show up in subtle ways that require you to slow down and think critically. In this episode, our Senior Nurse Practitioner Content Editor Courtney and I walk through a real case study that looks straightforward at first, but reveals how important it is to connect the right clues and avoid assumptions when symptoms don't follow the textbook. This episode will help you refine your critical thinking, expand your differential diagnosis, and build the confidence to trust your judgment when things aren't as simple as they appear on the surface. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/difficult-diagnoses-case-study-critical-thinking-courtney-h Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
For your board exam, dermatology questions often come down to recognizing the right buzzword. In today's minisode, Courtney walks through the high-yield skin findings you must be able to identify on sight so you can quickly differentiate similar conditions on test day. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
When you're preparing for your NP certification exam, pharmacology questions can feel overwhelming with all the drug names, interactions, and clinical scenarios to remember. In this episode, our content guru Courtney and I tackle this challenge head-on with a rapid-fire pharmacology Q&A session that mirrors the fast-paced nature of the actual exam. The format gives you a chance to quiz yourself alongside Courtney, building confidence through repetition of key concepts. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/np-exam-pharmacology-lightning-session-courtney-h Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Medication warnings save lives, but which ones will actually show up on your certification exam? Today, Courtney and I review three critical boxed warnings that are heavily tested on nurse practitioner board exams. By understanding these three boxed warnings, you'll be prepared to recognize the red flags on your exam and in practice. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
This episode kicks off Pharmacology November with a focused review of antibiotics that matter most for your boards and practice. I walk through the major drug classes you need to know breaking down their key uses, safety profiles, and those crucial exceptions that show up on exams. From understanding why Augmentin works when amoxicillin fails to knowing when doxycycline trumps all other options (even in pregnancy), this content review covers the practical decision-making you'll face daily. By the end, you'll have a clearer framework for choosing first-line treatments and knowing exactly when and why to reach for alternatives. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/antibiotics-classes/ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
In this special minisode, I'm introducing our new NP Confidence Corner series, where we'll share quick, actionable tips released every other week between our regular episodes. Today, Kaitlyn joins me to share a clinical pearl about eye examinations that transformed her practice as a new NP. Join us on November 6th for a must-see webinar on the most common eye conditions in primary care: https://lp.npreviews.com/webinars Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Studying for your nurse practitioner board exam can feel overwhelming. There's so much to cover, and everyone around you seems to be doing it differently. In this episode, my colleague Kaitlyn and I share how to create a study plan that actually fits your life and learning style instead of working against you. Tune into discover a clear framework for building your study calendar, integrating practice questions from day one, and protecting your energy along the way. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/creating-study-plan-np-board-exam-prep-kaitlyn-d Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial



