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Sarah Michelle NP Reviews (SMNP)
Nurse Practitioner Blog

At SMNP Reviews, we believe in empowering our NP community with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful, confident nurse practitioners. That’s why we’ve created this blog to provide you with all the resources you need to stay up to date with the latest and greatest information to help you excel in your career. Our goal is to make your lives easier by creating a hub where you can find, explore, and delve into the plethora of resources we offer.

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Ep #133: Navigating the Challenges of Working in a Retail Clinic as a New NP with Kaitlyn D

Discover the ins and outs of working in a retail health clinic, including the most common conditions treated, the benefits and challenges of this setting, and Kaitlyn's top tips for success as a new NP.

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How to Find the Best PMHNP Review Course For You

If you’re here, you’re probably on the brink of an incredible milestone—achieving your dream of becoming a certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)! This journey is about building confidence, mastering the material, and stepping into your career prepared and empowered. Choosing the right PMHNP review course is a big deal. It’s not just about passing

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A Day in the Life of a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner

I’ve been a family nurse practitioner (FNP) for almost 10 years. In that time, I’ve worked in family medicine, long-term care, and (currently) pediatric primary care. The FNP specialization is so versatile and I love all of the opportunities it provides! In this post, I’ll walk you through what it’s like to work in a

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Ep #132: Essential Tips for Thriving in Your NP Clinical Rotations

We share our top tips for boosting your confidence in clinical rotations and beyond. Whether you're a student just starting out or a new grad finding your footing, these strategies will help you feel more self-assured and capable in your role.

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DEI in Healthcare: 5 FAQs for Nurse Practitioners

You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about DEI in healthcare (otherwise known as diversity, equity, and inclusion). But what does that mean, and why is it important? At SMNP Reviews and Blueprint Test Prep, we believe in the power of DEI initiatives and hopefully that reflects in our NP board prep courses and Qbanks.

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How to Apply for the AANP and ANCC Exams: A Step-by-Step Guide for NPs

Are you preparing to graduate from your nurse practitioner program? Do you have questions on how to apply to take your certification exam through the AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) or the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center)? If so, you’re in the right place! At SMNP Reviews, we’re all about helping you become a

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Ep #131: MSN vs DNP for Family Nurse Practitioners: Which Path Is Right for You?

In this episode, we'll focus specifically on Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and compare the MSN and DNP educational paths. I break down what each degree entails, how they impact your scope of practice, and the different career opportunities available with each.

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4 Common Communication Challenges for New NPs

There are so many facets to nurse practitioner practice beyond the knowledge to diagnose and manage patient conditions. A large part of NP practice is communication, especially with patients! You’ll be a patient advocate and educator, but it’s not always easy to communicate with confidence, and you might not feel comfortable or prepared to deliver difficult

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6 Tips for Communicating with Patients as an NP

Nurse practitioners are great communicators. Because of our time as nurses before we step into the advanced practice role, we gain a lot of experience learning how to talk to patients. But no matter your experience or comfort level with talking to patients, there are always opportunities to become a better communicator! In this post,

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Ep #130: Navigating Weight Loss Medications: A Clinician’s Essential Guide

This episode is perfect for clinicians looking to enhance their understanding of weight loss medications and navigate the growing trend with confidence. Whether you’re already prescribing these drugs or considering adding them to your practice, we’ve got you covered with all the essential information.

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Best Apps for Nurse Practitioners: Studying, Scheduling, Note-Taking, & More

Want to order groceries directly to your door? There’s an app for that! Want to edit your vacation photos? There’s an app for that! Want to know exactly when to take a bathroom break during a movie so that you don’t miss anything important? Yep, there’s an app for that! (Seriously, there is.) And yes,

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Ep #129: Holiday Tips for Effective NP Studies

Maximize your holiday break with these strategies for fitting in quality study time without sacrificing all the joys of the season.

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Test Your Knowledge with These FREE FNP Practice Questions!

Hey NP students! 👋 Looking for some FREE practice questions? Take this 5-question quiz with FNP practice questions, just like the ones you’ll find in the SMNP Primary Care Qbank! Let’s get started 💪 Take a Look into the SMNP Primary Care Qbank! Designed specifically for FNP and AGPCNP students, our Primary Care Nursing Qbank

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NP Practice Questions: Breaking Them Down to Build Up Your Score!

When prepping for your board exam, the focus should be on learning the content needed to be a safe and competent real-deal NP. But, no matter how much you study and feel prepared to pass that test (which you will!), there will always be NP practice questions that you’re just not sure how to answer.

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Ep #128: How to Choose Your NP Specialty Path

Learn the key factors to consider when choosing your specialty, including your passions, lifestyle preferences, and long-term career goals.

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Transitioning from Classroom Learning to NP Clinicals

When it comes to balancing classroom learning and clinical hours, NP programs can be structured in many different ways! Maybe your program frontloads all of the didactic (classroom) courses for the first few semesters, leaving the remaining credit load for clinical hours. Or, maybe your program requires that you take classroom courses and clinical courses

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