Can Nurse Practitioners Switch Specialties?

Graphic depictions of various nurse practitioner specialties attending to patients

Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a vital role in healthcare, often serving as primary care providers or working in specialty areas. One of the most common career questions for NPs is whether they can switch specialties. The short answer is yes, but the process depends on factors such as certification, experience, state regulations, and employer requirements.…

Read More

The ANA Nursing Code of Ethics: A Complete Guide for Nurses

Nurse holds phone screen with the word ethics showing.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics is more than a professional guideline—it’s the ethical backbone of nursing practice in the United States. First adopted in 1950 and most recently revised in 2025, the ANA Nursing Code of Ethics provides a structured framework for nurses to make morally sound decisions in complex healthcare environments. This…

Read More

Proper Handwashing for Nurses: Step-by-step Procedure, Timing, and Best Practices

Nurse washing hands

Hand hygiene is the single most effective action nurses can take to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), protect patients, and reduce occupational exposure. This guide gives a clear, evidence-based hand washing procedure for nurses, answers common search queries (for example: what is the first step in the handwashing procedure?, nurse hand washing steps, 7 steps of…

Read More

The 5 Most Common Nursing Mistakes (and How to Prevent Them)

Nurse upsest in the hallway, head in hans

Nurses play a vital role in patient safety and outcomes. Yet even the most skilled professionals can make errors, especially under pressure. While it’s easy to think in terms of “bad nurses” or “stupid nursing mistakes,” most errors are the result of systemic challenges like understaffing, fatigue, and communication breakdowns. This article reviews the five…

Read More

How to Write Effective Nursing Notes: A Complete Guide

Male nurse inputting notes on computer - sketch drawing

Accurate and thorough nursing notes are more than just paperwork—they are a critical component of patient care, communication, and legal protection. Clear documentation ensures continuity of care across shifts, supports clinical decision-making, and serves as evidence if legal questions arise. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of nursing notes, including examples, types of progress notes,…

Read More

Top Nursing CEU Conferences and Seminars to Attend in 2026

Nurses in a conference room at a lecture

For nurses, continuing education is about more than meeting licensure requirements. Conferences and seminars offer opportunities to sharpen clinical skills, expand leadership capacity, explore specialty practice areas, and build professional networks that support long-term career growth. Attending nursing CEU conferences in 2026 allows nurses to earn required contact hours while staying current on evidence-based practice,…

Read More

Critical Thinking in Nursing: Definition, Skills, and Real-World Impact

Multi-tasking nurse

Critical thinking is essential for nursing. It enables solid clinical reasoning, reduces risk, and supports better patient outcomes. Every day, nurses interpret data, establish priorities, and make decisions with real consequences. This article defines critical thinking in nursing, explains its importance, provides examples, and shows how to build and measure it. Finally, we connect this…

Read More

How to Write a Strong New Grad Nurse Practitioner Resume (with Examples)

Nurse meeting with a physician.

Landing your first position as a new graduate nurse practitioner (NP) is exciting, but standing out among other applicants takes more than strong credentials. A well-structured resume is key to showcasing your readiness for advanced practice and helping you secure that first role. Whether you’re crafting a family nurse practitioner (FNP) resume, transitioning from RN…

Read More

Pediatric Nurse Interview Questions: How to Prepare & Succeed

Pediatric Nurses interview guide.

Introduction: What It Takes To Be A Pediatric Nurse Pediatric nursing requires a unique balance of technical expertise, clear communication, and emotional resilience. Interviews for these roles are designed to assess not only your clinical knowledge but also your ability to interact effectively with children and their families. Preparation is critical to standing out as…

Read More