This podcast explores the powerful link between happiness science and well-being, rooted in the evidence-based principles of positive psychology and lifestyle medicine. We'll begin with a brief overview of the six pillars of lifestyle medicine — nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, positive social connections and avoidance of risky substances — and their crucial role in health care. We'll then delve into how lifestyle choices directly impact disease, demonstrating how modifications can improve chronic disease management, prevention and overall thriving. A key focus will be on the profound impact of social connections and positive emotions on longevity, and on physical and emotional health. Finally, we'll explore how integrating these lifestyle pillars with positive psychology creates a synergistic path to flourishing and a higher quality of life.

To claim 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit for this program, log in to the CE Center, search for this program by name and complete the post-test and evaluation by entering the participation code that is given after listening to the podcast.

Download the Happiness for the HEALTH of it! references here

Dr. Colleen Walsh-Irwin joined NP Pulse to discuss updated treatment guidelines for hyperlipidemia and much more. Walsh-Irwin has been an NP for almost thirty years and runs a national program for evidence-based practice. In addition to discussing new medications for treating hyperlipidemia, Walsh-Irwin shares how she utilizes her own visual aides to help her patients understand their health issues and treatment. 

And for all things Cardiovascular related, consider joining the AANP Community group: Cardiology Specialty Practice, which offers the opportunity to interactively collaborate with colleagues who share interest or clinical expertise on the subject. 

On this episode, Margaret “Midge” Bowers returns to NP Pulse to discuss all things cardiovascular, with a focus on the newest atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure guidelines. Bowers and Sophia Thomas also discuss new medications, the importance of communication between patient and provider — and why it is so necessary for NPs to “treat the person, not the number.” 

If you are interested in learning more from Midge on this subject, listen to NP Pulse episode 106. Four Pillars of Medications for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction and gain CE credit by going to the AANP CE Center here. CE credit is offered until February 2025.

Please also consider joining the AANP Community group: Cardiology Specialty Practice, which offers the opportunity to interactively collaborate with colleagues who share interest or clinical expertise on the subject. 

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a condition of immense and multifarious clinical gravity causing acute pain, joint damage, anemia and risk of infection, stroke, delayed growth in children and adolescents — as well as long-term organ dysfunction. However, recent evolutions in treatment options offer promising novel and emerging therapeutics poised to truly revolutionize SCD care. On this episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, nurse practitioner (NP) specialists Sheryl Mitchell and Artangela Henry guide NPs to achieve the following learning objectives:

This program and the accompanying clinical resource tool were made possible by a medical education grant from Vertex.

Continuing education (CE) credit for this program may be claimed through Dec. 31, 2025. To claim credit for this program, log in to the CE Center, search for this program by name and complete the post-test and evaluation by entering the participation code that is given after listening to the podcast.

Making the Case for Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (CE)

This activity is partially supported by an educational grant from CooperSurgical. The remainder is funded by AANP.

Resources: U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024 (cdc.gov)

Bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging to differentiate from other psychiatric conditions due to its complexity and spectral nature. In fact, approximately 70% of patients with BD are without an accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment and management. In this episode of NP Pulse, "Patient Centric Management of Bipolar Disorder: Best Practices for Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment," nurse practitioner (NP) experts Braden Kameg and Lisa Anderson discuss ways in which NPs in primary care, psychiatric and mental health settings may decrease diagnostic delays and avoid misdiagnoses.

Learning objectives for this activity include:

0.92 CE / 0.50 RX

To claim continuing education credit for this program, log in to the CE Center, search for this program by name, complete the post-test and evaluation and then enter the participation code at the end of the podcast.

A clinical reference tool in English and Spanish is available for download:

AANP_Bipolar_Clinician_Tool_English.pdf 

AANP_Bipolar_Clinician_Tool_Spanish.pdf

This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Alkermes

Clear and honest communication between patients and providers is key to establishing a shared understanding of both wellness and illness. On this episode of NP Pulse, Dr. Martha Francis and Sarah Somers explore different frameworks for providers to better communicate delicate and often difficult news. They also share what it means to “rest in the uncomfortable,” and how they’ve learned to best support their patients in emotional times.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the United States, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men 18 years of age or older experience domestic violence annually, and that domestic violence results in over 1,500 deaths per year. Today’s guest, Doncy Eapen, is a family nurse practitioner and expert on domestic violence. Eapen helps define what domestic violence is, discusses the populations most at-risk for domestic violence and explores how to screen for and best connect with patients who are experiencing harm at home. 

If you'd like to learn more about intimate partner violence and the role of the NP, you can read an article on it here in the JNP.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence you can find help and resources here. 

On this episode of NP Pulse, our guests are the American Association of Nurse Practitioner’s® (AANP) Vice President of Research Kate Bradley and research analyst Mitch Sellers, who join host Sophia Thomas to discuss AANP’s recently released compensation and practice reports. Together, they explore what kind of information is available in both reports; detail some of the most important findings regarding compensation; and explain why it’s important for all nurse practitioners (NPs) to access and use this data.

Download the 2024 AANP Practice and Compensation Reports here.

As we approach Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, NP Pulse welcomes AANP’s president elect Valerie Fuller to discuss the big changes that have happened — and will happen starting Jan. 1 of 2025— to Medicare Part D.  Learn how seniors can opt in to the program and what changes will be taking place with regard to costs for medications, vaccines and more.

This podcast is made possible by PhRMA.