The time has come! I've passed boards, obtained my state license and I am scheduled to have ''temporary privileges'' at my facility next week! This is such an exciting time for my family and me! We've worked so hard for so many years and this is it. The really amusing thing? I opened the mail a couple of weeks ago when my license came through ...

I feel obligated to warn you. I normally don't use this blog for public service announcements but I learned of a disorder that all of you will suffer from, if you haven't already. The good news: it doesn't last forever and there is a treatment. I am talking about New Graduate Syndrome (NGS). It affects men and women of all ages after ...

Every day was Groundhog Day. Well, to be fair it was early January but, like the 1993 Bill Murray comedy, I felt like I was stuck in a time loop. The high of my graduation ceremony had worn off weeks ago, so I made like a retired snowbird and headed south to Florida for the winter. I camped at my mother's house while I waited for the next ...

''The first month of a job is the worst and you basically have that for a whole year.'' And that is how my friend described this next year of my life. November began the clinical year of PA school for me and she's not too far wrong in observing the first month at anything involves a learning curve -- like that of the horrors of Algebra I (the ...

Happy NP Week 2012! This year, we are recognizing nurse practitioners across the country with the AANP theme, ''Your Partner in Health.'' We'd love to know what your facility is doing to celebrate. Send your photos and stories of your festivities to kwolfgang@advanceweb.com to be featured in our Comments & Feedback column online and in print. ...

With the election just one day away, political reporting is at a fever pitch. At ADVANCE, we have compiled extensive coverage of healthcare's role in the election. If you haven't done so yet, browse our articles for some last-minute information on the candidates and more. We will also be compiling your reactions to the election results. If you'd ...

ADVANCE for NPs & PAs staff is bracing for Hurricane Sandy near Philadelphia, Pa. today, and we wish the best to all those along the East coast who are suffering from the storm's damage. Across the country, NPs and PAs are still heating up our communities with the latest in healthcare. On our article ...

Have you visited our blogs lately? Last week, new NPs and nurse veterans battled on the value of floor experience. Our NP & PA Student blogger Terry Clarke, currently enrolled in a fast track NP program, expressed his views on what experienced nurses have going for them and what they still have to learn. Here are a few of the comments your ...

Our ADVANCE for NPs & PAs community is always growing and providing better feedback every week. Our social media goal this week is to hit 2,000 fans on Facebook. We're only 28 ''likes'' away! If you're not already following us, make sure to check out our page and let us know what you think. If you are, share our page with your colleagues and ...

  This blog is brought to you by ADVANCE and DNA. The Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) will host a Virtual Psoriasis Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 10.  This event offers a unique educational format for dermatology and primary care nurses as well as nurse practitioners who treat patients with psoriasis. An estimated 7.5 ...