When you're stepping into clinical practice, difficult diagnoses can show up in subtle ways that require you to slow down and think critically.

In this episode, our Senior Nurse Practitioner Content Editor Courtney and I walk through a real case study that looks straightforward at first, but reveals how important it is to connect the right clues and avoid assumptions when symptoms don't follow the textbook.

This episode will help you refine your critical thinking, expand your differential diagnosis, and build the confidence to trust your judgment when things aren't as simple as they appear on the surface.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/difficult-diagnoses-case-study-critical-thinking-courtney-h Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

For your board exam, dermatology questions often come down to recognizing the right buzzword. In today's minisode, Courtney walks through the high-yield skin findings you must be able to identify on sight so you can quickly differentiate similar conditions on test day.

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When you're preparing for your NP certification exam, pharmacology questions can feel overwhelming with all the drug names, interactions, and clinical scenarios to remember.

In this episode, our content guru Courtney and I tackle this challenge head-on with a rapid-fire pharmacology Q&A session that mirrors the fast-paced nature of the actual exam. The format gives you a chance to quiz yourself alongside Courtney, building confidence through repetition of key concepts.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/np-exam-pharmacology-lightning-session-courtney-h

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Medication warnings save lives, but which ones will actually show up on your certification exam?

Today, Courtney and I review three critical boxed warnings that are heavily tested on nurse practitioner board exams. By understanding these three boxed warnings, you'll be prepared to recognize the red flags on your exam and in practice.

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This episode kicks off Pharmacology November with a focused review of antibiotics that matter most for your boards and practice. I walk through the major drug classes you need to know breaking down their key uses, safety profiles, and those crucial exceptions that show up on exams.

From understanding why Augmentin works when amoxicillin fails to knowing when doxycycline trumps all other options (even in pregnancy), this content review covers the practical decision-making you'll face daily. By the end, you'll have a clearer framework for choosing first-line treatments and knowing exactly when and why to reach for alternatives.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/antibiotics-classes/

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In this special minisode, I'm introducing our new NP Confidence Corner series, where we'll share quick, actionable tips released every other week between our regular episodes.

Today, Kaitlyn joins me to share a clinical pearl about eye examinations that transformed her practice as a new NP.

Join us on November 6th for a must-see webinar on the most common eye conditions in primary care: https://lp.npreviews.com/webinars

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Studying for your nurse practitioner board exam can feel overwhelming. There's so much to cover, and everyone around you seems to be doing it differently.

In this episode, my colleague Kaitlyn and I share how to create a study plan that actually fits your life and learning style instead of working against you. Tune into discover a clear framework for building your study calendar, integrating practice questions from day one, and protecting your energy along the way.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/creating-study-plan-np-board-exam-prep-kaitlyn-d

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Setting professional boundaries can feel like walking a tightrope when you're caring for patients. You want to show compassion and build trust, but there's this invisible line that keeps things professional and safe. Every nurse practitioner faces moments where that line gets blurry.

In this episode, I'll show you exactly what to say when patients overshare, how to handle being asked to work outside your scope, and ways to maintain your well-being while still being a team player. You'll discover that boundaries aren't barriers; they're actually what allow you to show up as your best self consistently.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/maintain-healthy-boundaries-patients-employers-preceptors

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No matter how well you prepare, every NP exam includes a few questions that make you stop and think, "What in the world is this?" These are the infamous "zebra questions," the ones designed to test how you handle uncertainty rather than how much obscure content you've memorized. The goal isn't to know every rare diagnosis, but to stay calm, think critically, and move forward with confidence.

In this episode, Kaitlyn and I break down how to approach these unexpected, seemingly impossible exam questions using logic and reasoning rather than panic. We walk through real examples, including cases like blue skin discoloration after well water exposure and cave explorers with fungal infections, showing how to use context clues, process of elimination, and strategic thinking to find your best answer, even when the condition is brand new to you.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/np-board-exam-strategies-absolutes-opposites-kaitlyn-d

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Test-taking strategies can make the difference between passing and failing your nurse practitioner board exam. When you're staring at a question where multiple answers seem plausible, knowing how to spot certain patterns in the answer choices can boost your chances from 25% to 50% or even 75% accuracy.

In this episode, Kaitlyn and I continue our mini-series on test-taking strategies, focusing on how to use absolute and opposite answer choices to your advantage. Learn not just what the right answer is, but why it's right, and how to apply these strategies across a variety of question types on the exam.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/np-board-exam-strategies-absolutes-opposites-kaitlyn-d

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