I was checking out my sitemeter and usually research what brings people to my site. One of the most common entries is "Are you happy being a NP?"
Well...let me think about it for a minute...Sure am!! I love my job! I can't say enough about it. It is one of the greatest things that has EVER happened to me. Here's some of the top reasons why I love being a Family Nurse Practitioner.

1. I can actually make patients better! I have the ability to interview patients and get to the root of their health problems and show them ways to  gain some control over their lives.
2. Patients trust me with their lives. What an awesome and humbling responsibility.
3. I get to take care of entire families as a Family Nurse Practitioner. It's fun to take care of the kids as well as the parents. It makes for an interesting visit sometimes.
4. Of course, I make really good money. While it's not my main reason for being a NP, it does help to pay off my student loans and keeps a decent roof over my family's head.
5. I help teach other nursing students when I can. I often have students stop by my office and ask for advice and help with homework. I only wish I could do it more often. I plan to teach one day when I can afford to.
I can't think of any others right now because I'm a little tired. You can tell me some of your reasons for being a health care professional by leaving me a comment on the guestbook or on the contact me page where you will find links to do so. Till next time! Be healthy and help others.

All Florida-licensed RN's and LPNs are now in a 24-month renewal cycle and must complete 24 hours of appropriate continuing education during each renewal period. One (1) contact hour is required for each calendar month of the licensure cycle, including two (2) hours on Prevention of Medical Errors. HIV/AIDS is now a one-time, 1-hour CE requirement to be completed prior to the first renewal. Domestic Violence CE is now a 2-hour requirement every third renewal. For example, if you renew your license on January 31, 2007, you are required to complete the Domestic Violence CE before the January 31, 2011 renewal.

A registered nurse who also holds a current Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner certificate may satisfy the continuing education requirements for both licenses by completing appropriate courses for a registered nurse, or may satisfy up to 50% of the requirement by completing continuing medical education coursework.

Appropriate subject matter for continuing education are those which meet the professional education needs of the licensee in order to meet the health care needs of his or her patients and consist of content from one or more of the following:

1. Nursing practice areas and special health care problems.

2. Biological, physical, behavioral, and social sciences.

3. Legal aspects of health care.

4. Management/administration of health care personnel and patient care.

5. Teaching/learning process of health care personnel and patients.

6. Subjects at an accredited education institution that are taken and are advanced beyond that completed for original licensure.

7. Personal development subject matter must include application of content as it relates to improved patient care.