State-by-State RN Licensing Requirements: A Comprehensive Overview

A cover letter is an essential step in any job search important in specifying the role of interest, defining your qualifications, and highlighting your skillset. Though not always required, including a cover letter in your application is beneficial in providing recruiters further insight into your professional capabilities and reasons for interest, beyond what can simply be listed in a resume.

As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant (PA), you know that new tasks and responsibilities appear at any moment of the day. One study by the National Institutes of Health found that nurses were interrupted once every six minutesadvanced practitioners can expect interruptions at an even greater frequency! However, when it comes to ensuring positive outcomes in the workplace, the ability to focus amid constant distractions is an absolutely necessary skill.

Clinical leadership is an important component to successful healthcare systems. But, what makes an effective leader? Within the context of an ever changing healthcare environment, medical and nursing leads must wear many hats to keep up with the dynamic nature of their roles. Day-to-day operations consist of competing priorities and multitasking, all the while leading a clinical team to provide excellent, quality patient care

We've all heard the saying, time flies when you're having fun, but for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) time flying is a regular part of life. When you're pulled in countless directions during the workday, time management can be a challenge. For example, how do you limit your time with a patient who has extra questions? How can you explain that you'd love to speak further, but you can't take time from the next patient or project that demands your attention?

Nurse Practitioners are licensed to deliver care consistent with their education and training. State laws and hospital bylaws govern their scope of practice, but in most cases, Nurse Practitioners can diagnose and manage common acute and chronic diseases, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and perform minor procedures. Approximately 8% of registered nurses (RNs) continue their education to become an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner (APRN) either through a master's or doctorate degree.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) work in hospitals, clinics, home health, and telemedicine to provide care for patients. NPs, PAs, and CRNAs scope of practice includes: Conduct H/Ps Manage clinical emergencies, Develop differential diagnosis Prescriptive authority, Assign a diagnosis Bill independently, Perform invasive procedures, Hold a DEA certificate, Order diagnostic tests and therapies, Participate in quality/safety activities, Interpret and evaluate tests and therapies, Participate in organizational research