Claim OwnershipReal Deal Nurse Practitioner Club
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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
165 Episodes
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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
Setting professional boundaries can feel like walking a tightrope when you're caring for patients. You want to show compassion and build trust, but there's this invisible line that keeps things professional and safe. Every nurse practitioner faces moments where that line gets blurry. In this episode, I'll show you exactly what to say when patients overshare, how to handle being asked to work outside your scope, and ways to maintain your well-being while still being a team player. You'll discover that boundaries aren't barriers; they're actually what allow you to show up as your best self consistently. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/maintain-healthy-boundaries-patients-employers-preceptors Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
No matter how well you prepare, every NP exam includes a few questions that make you stop and think, "What in the world is this?" These are the infamous "zebra questions," the ones designed to test how you handle uncertainty rather than how much obscure content you've memorized. The goal isn't to know every rare diagnosis, but to stay calm, think critically, and move forward with confidence. In this episode, Kaitlyn and I break down how to approach these unexpected, seemingly impossible exam questions using logic and reasoning rather than panic. We walk through real examples, including cases like blue skin discoloration after well water exposure and cave explorers with fungal infections, showing how to use context clues, process of elimination, and strategic thinking to find your best answer, even when the condition is brand new to you. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/np-board-exam-strategies-absolutes-opposites-kaitlyn-d Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Test-taking strategies can make the difference between passing and failing your nurse practitioner board exam. When you're staring at a question where multiple answers seem plausible, knowing how to spot certain patterns in the answer choices can boost your chances from 25% to 50% or even 75% accuracy. In this episode, Kaitlyn and I continue our mini-series on test-taking strategies, focusing on how to use absolute and opposite answer choices to your advantage. Learn not just what the right answer is, but why it's right, and how to apply these strategies across a variety of question types on the exam. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/np-board-exam-strategies-absolutes-opposites-kaitlyn-d Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
When you're taking a certification exam, every single word matters. One misread keyword can be the difference between choosing the right answer and falling into a carefully laid trap. In this episode, I'm joined by my colleague Kaitlyn, a family nurse practitioner and test question expert who's written thousands of exam questions throughout her career. Together, we break down how test questions are structured and share strategies for avoiding common test-taking pitfalls so you can choose the right answer with confidence. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/dissecting-practice-questions-read-lead-in-kaitlyn-d/ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
Are you looking for a trusted place to support your NP exam prep and connect with other learners? In this episode, we sit down with Courtney, Senior Editor of Nurse Practitioner Content at SMNP Reviews and Blueprint Test Prep, to introduce our new Instagram page, @smnpreviewsofficial. This will be your go-to hub for study tips, updates, and inspiration as you navigate your NP journey, all while continuing the legacy of Sarah Michelle's vision for real-deal NP support. Whether you're a student, in clinicals, or a new NP, this episode will help you discover how to leverage SMNP Reviews' resources and social channels to stay organized, supported, and confident throughout your NP journey. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/np-board-prep-hub-resources-instagram-courtney/ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial
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