A couple weeks ago CNN asked readers who should fill the ''doctor'' shortage. Nine responses are now posted on CNNMoney.com -- two from NPs, three from physicians and one each from a med student, a PA, an EMT and a consumer. Everyone but the EMT address the question of the role of NPs and PAs in primary care. The consumer loves NPs and ...

I am considering buying a new camera. After a visit to the camera shop and listening to several sales pitches, I have narrowed it down to choosing between two or three different models. To help me make my final decision I intend to do some research online. All I need to do is ''google'' the name of a camera to see what opinions and details are ...

OK, I will admit it. I do not really understand economics and I don't really follow politics, and so I cannot engage in a meaningful conversation about the Economic Stimulus Plan. But here is what I do know and understand -- more and more patients are calling me or coming in to see with worry about how they are going to afford medical care ...

Monday's Bismark (N.D.) Tribune ran a positive article introducing the role of nurse practitioners with a DNP to the public. ''Nurse Who Is Also a Doctor'' featured nurse practitioner Stacey Pfenning, who has a doctor of nursing practice degree. Although the article might lead to some confusion among careful readers about whether a DNP expands an ...

After being off over the holidays, it was difficult to get back into the swing of things for a new semester, both at work and in my own studies. Fortunately, however, I'm one of the lucky number who has a job to go back to! Watching the news every evening, I'm reminded of just how many people have NO job and are turning to new careers and going ...

Owning your own business comes with many challenges. Including, managing the practice as well as seeing  patients. Although I love seeing patients, I also enjoy spending time managing my own practice. This includes hiring, advertising, determining hours of operations, etc... After practicing for several years now, I have come to really ...

The New York Times reports that trendspotter Faith Popcorn also follows trends. She sees a nurse practitioner: '''I see a nurse practitioner,' rather than a doctor [said Popcorn], 'unless there’s really a problem. I also wait a little longer before I seek help, in case nature cures the ill.'''

My parents retired a few years ago and moved to a ''55 and older'' community on the east coast. They know all their neighbors, and everyone knows everyone else's health status, who sees which health care providers, and every provider's business practices. My dad's quick recovery from knee replacement surgery convinced a neighbor a block over to ...

A nice article about nurse practitioners showed up in the New York City edition of yesterday's New York Times. Although titled ''Yes, the P.A. Will See You Now,'' the article looks at both physician assistant and NP roles, and it does a good job covering education, salary and job experience. The reporter does once refer to NPs and PAs as ...

''A familiar chasm separates what women dig from what dudes imagine women dig.'' That's my favorite line from a New York Times article, published today, about a fetish of mixed martial arts participants. It seems the primarily male fighters actually encourage formation of misshapen ''cauliflower ears'' by not preventing and not treating injuries ...