As a vegan, you’re most likely spending a large part of your time amongst non-vegans. This is especially true in the workplace. Depending on where you work, your co-workers may be very supportive of your vegan choices, and even interested in learning more about how they can become a vegan. Or, they may not want to hear anything about veganism, and be repulsed by the idea of a diet devoid of animal products.
If you've made it through NP school you know how tough it can be. For those of you who are current students, you've got so much being thrown at you, sometimes it's hard to take a breather. You may feel like you’re drowning in work, and have no idea how to keep afloat.
As you may know, the medical profession has high rates of burnout, higher than many other professions. Some studies estimate physician burnout at 50%, with nurses experiencing almost as high of levels of burnout as physicians! Studies also show that medical students and residents are burned out too. I have yet to come across a study related to NP burnout, but there is no doubt that NPs are burned out as well.
I'm sure you've heard in the media information on the importance of a meditation practice, and perhaps being more mindful. Now, most people are aware of what meditation is, but what exactly is mindfulness? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes mindfulness as "The practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis." Essentially this means that instead of racing through your day not knowing how you're feeling or what you're thinking, you begin to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Most of the time we go through life, unaware of how we truly feel, or what exactly we're thinking. This leaves us disconnected from our body, and unaware of what is really happening internally.
If you think that you're being underpaid, chances are you probably are. Forbes wrote an article comparing the average salary for NPs for each state. You can access the article here. Just compare what you're making with the average salary list on Forbes to use as a comparison. It is important to note that Forbes did not group by speciality, so you'll have to take that into consideration. Unfortunately, I have many NP friends who are not receiving the compensation they desire or deserve and this is really a shame since they are taking such excellent care of their patients.
Unfinished charts, prescription refill requests, abnormal labs, and a line of patients waiting to be seen. Sound familiar? Unfortunately this is the reality for thousands of NPs across the nation. The complexities of the healthcare system coupled with the challenges of direct patient care can sometimes be overwhelming.
Recently I've been having conversations with people who are interested in a career as a nurse practitioner. Whether the person I'm speaking with is an RN or MA colleague, or someone who is looking to "switch careers", I get super pumped when having these conversations as there is so much opportunity within this field. From providing clinical patient care, to starting your own business, to being an agent for change, there are endless opportunities for nurse practitioners.
This post if for those of you who are not yet nurse practitioners. Perhaps you're considering the profession, or are already in the application process. Regardless of where you are, it's important to have a well-rounded application to better ensure acceptance into a program. I've recently had several conversations and have received a few emails about applying to NP school and the challenges that it poses. I realize that applying to NP school is stressful, and I'd like to offer you a few tips on how to successfully complete your applications. If you've purchased my book, "The Ultimate Nurse Practitioner Guidebook", you can also reference this as well as there is a whole chapter about how to get accepted into a nurse practitioner program.
In today's post I wanted to highlight for you the endless opportunities you will have once you become a nurse practitioner. Now, you may have become a nurse practitioner because you love being in the clinical setting while helping others. This is the reason why I got into nursing as I love helping people and enjoy being with my patients. Nonetheless I also enjoy variety in my work, and sometimes daily clinic life can become monotonous.
Recently I've seen numerous posts within NP groups and on social media about the "over saturation" of the NP market. Many people are having a hard time finding work, and some have been looking since they graduated almost a year ago! I'm sure this must be very discouraging, but for me, I haven't found getting hired to be an issue. If anything, I've found an abundance of NP positions available. So I'm sharing what I've learned from the market and have compiled several tips to help you if you're in search of a job.
Recently I've been getting a lot of emails about the job market. I hear you, you're frustrated trying to find a job that you'll enjoy, but not having much luck getting hired. If you haven't yet read last week's email, I encourage you to check it out as it offers many great tips on finding a job.
If you’re anything like me and love business, you also know that starting a business poses quite a few challenges. As both a nurse practitioner and business owner, I know from experience the many highs and lows which comes while trying to get a business off the ground. Below are a few tips to help you grow your business once you’ve gotten it off the ground.
Do you remember what is was like to be a brand new nurse practitioner? You just graduated from NP school, passed your boards, and you finally accepted that long awaited job offer. I imagine that you were both thrilled and scared at the same time. Excited to no longer have to attend long lectures coupled with hours of studying. But also fearful about no longer having your preceptor to consult with, and now your patients were ultimately under your care.
Recently, there’s been a lot of information in the news about plant-based products, and even more hype around switching to a plant-based diet. You may have seen big chains such as Burger King® and Dunkin'® advertising products containing plant-based meat such as Beyond Beef® and Impossible™ meat. So why all the excitement about going plant-based?
If you’re looking for a great vegan-friendly city with Southern charm, check out Wilmington, North Carolina. Located in Southeastern North Carolina, Wilmington has views of both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean among other beautiful sites. With a university (The University of North Carolina Wilmington), an abundance of outdoor activities, amazing beaches, and a hip downtown, who wouldn’t want to visit? Not only has Wilmington got a lot going on, it also boasts a ton of vegan-friendly food and activities.
Hilo is a quaint town located on the Eastern side of the island of Hawaii. More commonly known as the Big Island, this Pacific Island is Hawaii’s largest, hence its name. Hilo is a sleepy town with access to some of the best and most beautiful sites that the Big Island has to offer. From lava flows, to volcanos, to plenty of exotic plants and foods, Hilo and the surrounding areas has it all! If you’re spending time on Big Island it’s highly recommended that you rent a car since public transportation is limited. This can be done at the Hilo airport as they have multiple rental agencies to choose from. However, both Uber and Lyft are operating on the island and is a viable means to get around Hilo town and the surrounding areas.
The Berkshires is geographic region located in Western Massachusetts known for its gorgeous scenery and numerous quaint towns. Due to the numerous small villages and towns, we’ve decided to group this region into one vegan city guide.
New York City is known as one of the greatest cities in the world, and rightfully so. Renowned for its world-class dining, theater, buildings, and museums, NYC has it all. Although it may be challenging to find an abundance of vegan-friendly options in certain areas of the country, if you’ve come to NYC, you’ve definitely landed in vegan heaven. New York City is even listed as one of the top ten vegan-friendly cities of the world!
After months or perhaps years of considering a vegan way of life, you’ve finally made the plunge to adopt a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle. Congratulations, you’ve done a wonderful thing for your health, the animals and the planet! This is just the first step in the amazing journey you are about to embark on. However, with any new beginning that you undertake, there may be a few bumps along the way. I too remember the challenges I faced with this transition from non-vegan to vegan, thus I have created the following points to assist those who are new to veganism. Find a Vegan Community Finding a vegan community may be one of the best ways that you can help yourself maintain a vegan diet and lifestyle. Prior to becoming a vegan I found it challenging to maintain a 100% vegan lifestyle due to lack of community. I did not have any vegan friends nor did I have an online vegan support system to assist me. When I finally became a vegan it was much easier as my partner at the time had adopted a vegan diet at the same time. I realize that many of you do not have the luxury of having a vegan spouse or partner, thus I strongly encourage you to find a vegan community. Know how to Select Vegan Food Now this may seem like a no-brainer but you would be surprised at how many brands and restaurants incorporate animal products into everyday foods. Below are tips for when you’re at the grocery store and at a restaurant. Grocery Store Shopping As a new vegan, I highly advise you to consistently read food labels while at the grocery store to ensure what you’re purchasing is vegan-friendly. I don’t know how many times I’ve assumed that a product was vegan only to get home and read the label and find out it was not. This may seem time consuming in the beginning, but trust me it is worth it for the peace of mind. The more labels you read the quicker you will identify non-vegan ingredients. I also recommend getting familiar with vegan food brands. Once you familiarize yourself with several vegan brands, you can be sure that anything you purchase from them is 100% vegan-friendly. This will make shopping much easier for you. Ordering at a Restaurant Now that you’re a vegan you’ll most likely be inquiring into vegan-friendly options while dining out. This question alone may introduce you to some like-minded people who are also vegan! I’ve met my fair share of waiters who also mentioned that they were also vegan once I inquired about vegan options. They often have great recommendations on what to eat. On the flip side however, you may encounter establishments where getting a vegan option is slim pickings. My advice is to do your research beforehand (if possible) if there are any vegan options at the restaurant. Most likely you will find something to eat, though it may not always be to your liking. Vegan Resources Aside from community support, it’s also important to have resources to lean on. Vegan resources run the gamut but may include plant-based nutrition websites, cruelty-free brands, cruelty-free clothing companies, and everyday vegan-friendly products. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on current happenings in the world such as new vegan establishments openings, or advancements in animal welfare and protection. By staying aware of what’s happening in the wide world of veganism, you’re able to tap into resources you may not have been previously aware of as well as connect with other vegans. Educate Yourself Educating yourself about the truths behind veganism is incredibly important as you may receive many questions about why you have decided to become a vegan. By educating yourself on the truths of factory farming, animal cruelty, environmental destruction and the health benefits of veganism, you are setting yourself up for success with whomever you encounter. This will help you if at any time you feel attacked or judged because you’ve made this decision. Knowing the truth will also help you during times when you may question your decision or feel pressure from others. Have Compassion and Patience with Yourself Throughout this transition to veganism it’s important to have compassion and patience for yourself as there will be times when you slip up. Veganism does not equal perfection, it is about doing as little harm as possible to ourselves, the animals, and the planet. There will be times when you eat a non-vegan food item or you wear something that is not cruelty-free. If this occurs remember that as a vegan you are striving to better the planet on a daily basis. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Have Fun Contrary to what public opinion may think of the deprived lifestyle of a vegan, I can definitely attest that you can thrive as a vegan, and have a good time as well! There are many great vegan-friendly restaurants and activities to participate it. Keep a fun lightheartedness about your vegan journey and don’t take yourself too seriously! ____________________ Veganism is about much more than just our food choices. It’s also about making the best choice for our body, planet, and animals. As a new vegan, there may be times when you’re tempted to give up due to external stresses, challenges, or public opinion. I encourage you to stay strong and remember the reasons why you became vegan in the first place. Find community, reach out to others, and be an agent for changing the world for the better.
Finding a mentor is an important aspect to your success as a nurse practitioner, especially as a new graduate. You’ve entered into a brand new career and it’s important to have a mentor in your corner guiding and cheering you on.In this article I’ll be addressing several key points on how to find a mentor that’s the right fit for you. I say right fit because not all mentors are created equal, and it’s important to be able to determine who will best fit your needs. Below are a few questions to ask yourself when determining who should be a mentor.
In today’s society, there are a thousand and one fad diets out there on the market. From low carb to Atkins to Paleo, and everything in between, there are too many to keep track of! Many people begin a diet to lose weight, and will typically bounce from one diet to the next, trying to find one that works for them. Unfortunately, most of the time the weight loss that they may have achieved is gained back once the diet stops-and they may even gain back more weight than they originally lost
Mentorship has always been, and continues to be, a large part of my success as a nurse practitioner. I truly believe that having a great mentor will allow you to succeed in numerous ways. In this article I’ll be discussing ways to maintain a good mentor/mentee relationship.
If you’re a new NP entrepreneur, chances are you will encounter a few bumps while starting your business. This isn’t something to be fearful of, as challenges in business are all part of the journey. However, each setback does provide room for growth, and oftentimes
I’ve loved business ever since I was a kid. Growing up I had a neighborhood friend whose dad sold Amway products. We used to play “business” where we’d pretend to be business owners with the packaged products, buying and selling them as if they were ours.
High blood pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension, is a medical condition that is very prevalent in the United States and around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 75 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure. This is roughly about 29% of the adult population. Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for developing other diseases such as stroke and heart disease.
Hyperlipidemia, more commonly known as high cholesterol is an excess of cholesterol which builds up in the arteries. High cholesterol is a risk factor for developing peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and stroke.1Unfortunately, high cholesterol does not have symptoms, and many people with high cholesterol are unaware of the diagnosis until discovered on a blood test.
As a practicing family nurse practitioner, I often counsel my patients on a healthy diet and lifestyle. Regardless of the complaint that they present with, the conversation often digresses to their chronic medical problems, even if they are at the clinic for an acute sick visit. As a plant-based healthcare provider, I continuously advocate plant-based eating for all of my patients. I know just how beneficial veganism is for the body, and love sharing
Yes it's that time of year again. Whether you love it or you dread it, the holidays have arrived. For some this may mean a time of stress. Perhaps you're scrambling to finish finals, or maybe you don't know what to buy for your medical assistant or nurse. Or you could even be in the middle of big life
As you've seen in the news, the coronavirus has been making its way around the world. Unfortunately there have been many deaths, and thousands more have become severely ill. The virus has caused an upheaval in the daily life of millions of people in multiple countries, and there
I’ve recently been asking myself if I’m living a life that’s in alignment with my inner beliefs, also known as my truths. It’s been something that I think about often, and I wanted to share this concept with you as I think that living a life that is in alignment with your truth is incredibly important to living a fulfilled life. Now, you may be wondering,
