Many of us inherit patients who are already on warfarin (Coumadin). Some are managed by a coumadin clinic, others rely on their PCP. While DOACs (e.g., apixaban, rivaroxaban) are often easier to manage, warfarin isn’t going away—especially for patients with mechanical valves, antiphospholipid syn...

Last week we covered combined oral contraception (COC). If you missed it, read it here:

https://www.nursepractitionermentor.com/blog/tips-for-prescribing-combined-oral-contraception 

This week, here’s a fast, clinic-friendly overview of other contraceptive options with how-to tips, who they’re ...

Prescribing Combined Oral Contraceptives in Primary Care: What Every NP Should Know

Contraception counseling is one of the most common visits in primary care. For many women, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are an accessible, effective, and familiar option. But safe prescribing requires knowi...

Palpitations in Primary Care: When to Be Concerned

Palpitations are a very common chief complaint in primary care. Causes can range from benign to life-threatening — including cardiac, metabolic, and psychiatric disorders.

Here’s a streamlined, practical approach I use in clinic.

Step 1: Symp...

Dyslipidemia & Hyperlipidemia: A Primary Care Guide for NPs

Managing cholesterol is a big part of preventing cardiovascular disease in primary care. Here’s a streamlined approach to terminology, screening, treatment decisions, and medication choices.

Key Terminology

• Dyslipidemia → Broa

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To My Fellow Primary Care Nurse Practitioners

Hi, I’m Allison Sowders, CNP — founder and CEO of The Nurse Practitioner Mentorship.

This program is designed specifically for new nurse practitioners in the primary care setting. While it can also benefit those in urgent care, my focus is on the uni...

How I Stay on Time With 15-Minute Visits (and You Can Too)

Fifteen minutes per patient. That includes check-in, the MA rooming process, me actually seeing the patient, and everything else: testing, referrals, prescribing. Sounds impossible, right?

Believe it or not, I rarely run behind and usually...

You ordered the screening mammogram, the patient actually completed it (a win in itself!) — but now the result comes back abnormal. What do you do next?

Let’s walk through a practical, time-saving approach that you can use in primary care.

Step 1: Ordering the Right Test

• First order: Scre

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