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Wondering if your practice scores are high enough to pass your NP boards? In this minisode, Kaitlyn breaks down the numbers to aim for, why they're a helpful benchmark, and why your progress and trends matter just as much. You'll learn how to interpret your scores with more clarity so you can stay focused, build confidence, and keep moving forward in your exam prep.     Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

Trying to decide between AANP vs ANCC for your NP certification exam can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like the "wrong" choice could impact your future.       In this episode, Alex and I break down the AANP vs ANCC exams in a calm, practical way so you can choose your NP certification exam with clarity. We walk through what both exams have in common, how they differ in structure and content, and why neither exam is inherently harder than the other.                     Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/aanp-vs-ancc-updated-guide        Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

Metronidazole is a must-know medication that is likely to show up on your NP board exams and very likely to show up in clinical practice. In this minisode, Alex walks you through high-yield uses like trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis, key safety points, and frequently tested concepts, so you can feel confident recognizing and answering metronidazole questions on exam day.         Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

Feeling overwhelmed about how to pass your 3P exam? You are not alone. The 3P exam can feel high-pressure, especially when it stands between you and starting clinicals.         In this episode, Alex and I explain how to pass the 3P exam by breaking down what it tests, how it differs from boards, and the most effective study strategies. We walk through common mistakes students make, practical strategies to help you succeed, and how to use practice questions effectively.                  Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/how-to-pass-3P-exam        Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

In this minisode, Alex breaks down the 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guidelines, highlighting what's new and how it impacts both NP board exams and clinical practice. You'll learn the key updates, including a stronger emphasis on primary prevention, individualized care, and new diagnostic tools, while also being reassured that your current study plan is right on track.       Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

Drug interactions do not have to feel confusing. Once the cytochrome P450 system clicks, it becomes much easier to reason through medication metabolism and pharmacology questions that nurse practitioners need to know.    In this episode, Alex and I explain the cytochrome P450 system and why it matters for drug metabolism, medication interactions, and clinical decision-making. You will walk away with a clearer framework for understanding pharmacology concepts that nurse practitioners need to know for both exams and real-world prescribing decisions.               Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/cytochrome-p450-system       Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial        

Herbal supplements may seem harmless, but they can have important effects on medications and patient safety. In this minisode, I review the herbal supplements nurse practitioners are most likely to encounter on exams and in clinical practice. From St. John's Wort and ginkgo to valerian root and black cohosh, this overview highlights the key uses, safety concerns, and medication interactions you should recognize.   Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

Do alpha and beta adrenergic receptors feel confusing or overly detailed? Understanding these receptors is essential for success on your exams, and once they click, so much of pharmacology starts to make sense.         In this episode, Alex and I walk through alpha and beta adrenergic receptors step by step, connecting receptor function to real medications and common board-style scenarios. You will leave with a clearer framework for answering pharmacology questions with confidence.             Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/alpha-beta-adrenergic-receptors       Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial        

Prescribing in pregnancy can feel intimidating, especially when a patient casually mentions they're 10 weeks along mid-visit. In this minisode, Kaitlyn and Courtney break down the core principles you need to confidently treat common pregnancy complaints, including first-line options for nausea, reflux, and infections, and which antibiotics are safe and when to avoid certain ones on boards and in practice.         Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

Have you had that "wait… I'm the provider now" moment yet? The first year as an NP is one of the biggest professional shifts you'll ever make, and it can feel both empowering and overwhelming at the same time.        In this episode, Courtney and I break down what transitioning from student to practicing NP really looks like, from orientation expectations and charting struggles to imposter syndrome and building clinical confidence. We share what's normal, what to advocate for, and how to survive that steep learning curve with safety and structure at the center.        Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/first-year-as-an-NP      Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial        

TSH questions on your NP boards aren't meant to trick you, but they do test whether you understand the pattern behind thyroid labs. In this minisode, I review the normal TSH range, explain the inverse relationship between TSH and free T3 and T4, and walk through how to identify hypo versus hyperthyroidism so you can confidently interpret thyroid questions on exam day.      Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

Have you ever thought, "Why didn't anyone tell me this sooner?" That feeling is incredibly common as you move from NP school into real practice.      In this episode, Courtney and I share the lessons we wish we had known earlier, including what boards actually prepare you for, how to handle imposter syndrome, and why asking questions makes you a safer clinician, not a weaker one.     This conversation is here to reassure you that learning on the job is normal, growth takes time, and you don't have to have everything figured out to be a great nurse practitioner.    Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/lessons-from-experienced-nps    Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial        

Hemoglobin A1c is one of the most high-yield lab values you'll see on NP boards and in real life. In this minisode, I review its alternate names, the key A1c cutoff and goal values, and how boards expect you to use trends to decide when treatment needs to be adjusted.    Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial

When you're preparing for NP boards, screening guidelines can seem a little dry, but these recommendations show up consistently on exams and form the foundation of primary care practice.   In this episode, Courtney and I run through an overview of the adult screening recommendations you'll need to know for primary care NP boards, leaning heavily on USPSTF recommendations.   Discover how to think through screening questions without getting lost in the nitty gritty detail.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/primary-care-screening-guidelines-pass-np-boards   Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial        

It's winter, which means full-blown sick season is here. In this minisode, Kaitlyn and Courtney break down three simple ways to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections and teach how to explain your clinical reasoning to patients in a way that helps them feel heard.   Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/smnpreviewsofficial