I attended the second annual Aesthetic Extender Symposium last weekend, and days later I am left with some distinct and positive impressions about much more than the aesthetics industry. First, some background. The symposium was cofounded by Krystie P. Lennox, a physician assistant, and David J. Goldberg, a dermatologist who is also a healthcare ...

It has been a very busy fall for ECFC. In addition to general patient care and all the day-to-day administrative issues, we are faced with another task. The state of MN has mandated that all recipients of state-sponsored health insurance have access to and are members of a state-certified Health Care Home. Eagan Child and Family Care is one of ...

The care of older adults is the overriding issue at this year's GAPNA conference of course, but members are also turning their attention to national practice issues that affect all NP specialties. Yesterday, Evelyn Duffy, NP, director of the adult and gerontologic NP program at Case Western Reserve University, presented an informational session ...

Writing in today's issue of USA Today, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell champions nurse practitioners as the means to universal access to healthcare. Together with Tine Hansen-Turton, who is CEO of the National Nursing Centers Consortium headquartered in Philadelphia, Rendell argues that the projected primary care physician shortage could thwart ...

A few posts ago I wrote of adding alternative healings to my practice. Well, I must tell you that it has become a significant part of my practice now. Many people are looking for a more natural approach with less medication, and Reiki Energy Healing and Hypnotherapy has definitely fit the bill. I continue traditional medicine, of course, ...

If you're an NP who owns your own practice, be sure to enter the 2009 ADVANCE for Nurse Practitioners NP Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Do it for Leah Hansen, perhaps the only nurse practitioner with her own practice in Australia. Because her practice isn't in the United States, Hansen isn't eligible for the competition. But you are. Now, ...

Summer is rolling along at ECFC. Thankfully, our June has been busier than May was. Within the next three weeks our state has mandated that all medical claims be filed electronically (July 15). The state has contracted with an organization to allow free access to their Web-based e-filing system. We are awaiting approval to go ahead and begin ...

Seventeen months ago when I opened Pace Clinic I was excited to be out on my own. No more working for somebody, I could set my own hours, come and go as I please, and do my own thing. I have thoroughly enjoyed working for myself. However, even though I no longer have (a) boss, I still work for now thousands of bosses (my clients). Sure, I can ...

The American Academy of Nursing hosted a conference call on Friday, May 8, 2009 with statements from hard-hitting nurse practitioner advocates who spoke up on behalf of NPs as a crucial part of our evolving healthcare system. The goal of the call was to make a public case for NPs that will influence healthcare ...

Do you have your disaster plan ready?? The avian flu spurred organizations to evaluate their disaster plans and to revise or add provisions in response to a national biohazard or infectious disease disaster. Our county health department has been holding meetings for care providers to assist them in developing individual disaster plans as well as ...