Real World NP

Hypertension Guidelines Updates: Practical Pearls for Primary Care with Dr. Jordy Cohen What actually changed in the newest hypertension guidelines—and what should nurse practitioners be doing differently in clinic? In this episode, Liz Rohr, MSN, FNP-BC, sits down with Dr. Jordy Cohen , nephrologist, hypertension specialist, researcher, and member of the hypertension guideline writing committee,...

Urine microalbumin is one of the earliest indicators of kidney damage, but the terminology—and the recommendations—have changed over the past several years. In this episode, Liz reviews the 2026 updates to urine microalbumin interpretation, including the transition to albuminuria and the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) , new hypertension screening recommendations, and practical pearls tha...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common—and often frustrating—conditions seen in primary care. Patients may come in with chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or a mix of symptoms, and many have already been told that their testing is “normal.” So how do you confidently evaluate IBS, rule out more serious conditions, and help patients move forward? In this epis...

Hey! We’re taking a hiatus from the podcast while the team focuses on becoming an accredited organization for continuing education. We’re developing new courses to bridge the gap between graduate education and real-world practice. In the meantime, we’re inviting clinicians to contribute to paid blog posts and articles— we want to build a community dedicated to quality education and patient care. S...

This episode focuses on leadership and role transition questions, specifically addressing a scenario where a new nurse practitioner is struggling with confrontational conversations with nursing staff. The host provides advice on how to navigate these situations using a framework called nonviolent communication. The framework involves expressing observations, feelings, needs, and requests in a clea...

Rebecca Arnold, a holistic leadership coach, discusses the challenges of disillusionment and burnout in mission-driven professions like nursing and medicine. She emphasizes the importance of addressing emotions and processing them in a safe and titrated manner. Rebecca highlights the concept of the window of tolerance and suggests practices like meditation and mindfulness to expand it. She also em...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr and Amanda Guarniere discuss negotiating a raise as a nurse practitioner. They emphasize the importance of collecting data about your job performance and your value to the organization. They also highlight the need to consider the employer's perspective and understand what matters to them. The conversation covers productivity metrics, RVUs (Relative Value Units), and...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr and Kara Pesola discuss the challenges and common experiences of new nurse practitioners (NPs). They highlight the importance of support and mentorship for new grads and address the imposter syndrome many NPs experience. They also discuss the common questions and concerns that new NPs have, such as managing complex conditions and navigating controlled substances. The...

In this episode, I share my experiences and insights on starting a mentorship program, drawing from my own journey as a nurse practitioner and founder of Real World NP. I discussed the context of mentorship, the structure of one-on-one and group mentorship programs, the frequency and duration of mentorship meetings, and the topics to cover. Additionally, I covered the importance of creating a safe...

Michelle, a board-certified family nurse practitioner with experience in urgent care, shares her journey and insights into the field. She discusses the differences between urgent care and primary care, the challenges of not having access to medical records in urgent care, and the importance of collaboration between the two. Michelle also provides advice for those interested in working in urgent ca...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr interviews Jennifer Carlquist, a physician assistant with extensive experience in cardiology, who discusses the assessment and management of chest pain. They covered:  - Assessing cardiac versus noncardiac chest pain - Assessing risk for MI and when to send patients to the ED or not - What EKG findings to watch out for, and how to learn more to build your ekg re...

In this conversation, Liz Rohr and Shelby Pope discuss the importance of taking a comprehensive history of substance use, and how to assess and treat stimulant use disorder. They cover the challenges healthcare providers face in asking the right questions, and emphasize the need for open conversations and non-judgmental approaches. They cover screening for addiction, how to elicit a substance use...

In this episode, Liz Rohr interviews Shelby Pope, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, they discuss the stigma around addiction, the importance of supporting patients with opiate use disorder while exploring Shelby’s journey into addiction medicine and impacts of this field.  This episode includes discussion of various treatment options for opiate use disorder, including naltrexone and buprenorphine, including...

We’re expanding our course catalog at Real World NP! This time, we’re collaborating with specialists, making courses tailored for primary care providers. Our goal is to provide comprehensive and practical courses for nurse practitioners and PAs, and to bridge the gap between primary care and specialty care. We want NPs to have the knowledge and resources to provide the best care within their scope...

Welcome back to Season 3 of the Real World NP Podcast! This episode is an interview with yours truly - I want to share a bit of a “reset” with what’s going on with Real World NP, where we started, where we’re going, and how you can be involved. I also want to share a bit that has changed behind the scenes, and how we’re incorporating more of a social justice and equity lens— not just inside the cl...

On this week’s episode I want to give you some permission if you feel like you need it— To be a whole human with needs, feelings, desires, and cares. To do what feels authentically right to you. We’re plopped into a healthcare system that is specifically NOT set up for humans to be humans, and is designed for us to operate like machines. And it takes a LOT of courage to stay true to ourselves and...

In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to share my conversation with Lauryn Williams, an extraordinary individual who has not only achieved greatness on the athletic track but also in the realm of financial planning. Lauryn's story is a powerful example of how discipline, dedication, and a willingness to learn can lead to success in multiple arenas of life. Her transition from an Olympic athlete to...

Welcome to our latest podcast episode, where I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Dr. Omolara Uwemedimo.  Today's conversation is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and community in healthcare. Dr. Omolara shares her journey from being a pediatrician to founding two revolutionary organizations aimed at transforming healthcare for under-resourced comm...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brooke Nielsen to explore a topic that is both  fascinating and incredibly relevant to our work as healthcare professionals—the Drama Triangle.  We've all seen it, whether we recognized it at the time or not. Those moments when interactions with colleagues or patients suddenly feel like a scene straight out of a play, with clear ro...

In this episode, I explore a crucial topic shaping healthcare today - caretaker fatigue. Join me as I delve into an enlightening conversation with my dear friend and Executive Coach, Catherine Wood.  Cat shares invaluable insights about balancing work-life commitments and the importance of recognizing and meeting our personal needs for sustainable career longevity.  Even if you feel like...

Are you a nurse practitioner feeling lost, uncertain, or unfulfilled in your career? This raw, honest, and needed conversation with Amanda Guarniere, the founder of Resume RX, explores: The career challenges NPs are facing Alternative career paths many NPs are considering Changing power dynamics between employers and employees How to think about career changes and honor YOURSELF in the process We...

In this video, I sit down with two incredible NP colleagues and friends, Kara and Heather, for a candid conversation about the rollercoaster ride of being a nurse practitioner. We delved deep into our shared experiences, tackling everything from the highs of fulfilling our calling to the challenges that can sometimes leave our compassionate hearts feeling a bit weary. Burnout, boundary setting, an...

I am thrilled to introduce you to Midge Bowers. Not only is Midge a Clinical Professor and Director of the cardiovascular specialty at Duke University School of Nursing, she practices as a nurse practitioner in a Heart Failure Access Clinic. She’s an expert in cardiology, a seasoned healthcare educator, and shares so much incredible knowledge in this jam-packed episode. In this episode, we covered...

This week, I have an episode for you that I think is even MORE important than the clinical knowledge that I share — navigating NP burnout. Meet Cait Donovan, an International Keynote Speaker, host of “Fried – The Burnout Podcast,” author of the book "The Bouncebackability Factor", and an acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Chinese medicine. Her creative burnout recovery solutions have been fea...

Whether you're a recent NP graduate or someone transitioning between specialties, this video will help ease that overwhelming feeling and help you discover your unique approach to practice. If you liked this post, also check out: Pillars of NP Practice Leukocytosis Case Study Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:22 - Purpose of the Episode 02:35 - Understanding Philosophies of Practice 04:23 - Evol...