{"title":"Reducing Polypharmacy and Patient Harm: Use of Medication Screening Tools Supports the Detection and Prevention of Adverse Drug Events","authors":"Hubert C. Chua, Timothy Nguyen","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105490","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105490","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 9","pages":"Article 105490"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Early Identification and Management of Pain Catastrophizing in Primary Care","authors":"Kaylin Lalchun, Elsie Duff","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pain catastrophizing (PC) is an exaggerated negative cognitive response to actual or perceived pain. It can impede the effectiveness of pain management interventions and contribute to the development of chronic pain. Because PC is often accompanied by other mental health conditions, a multidisciplinary approach to pain management is essential to improve long-term outcomes. Various screening tools can be used for the early identification of individuals at risk of PC, which can improve the effectiveness of targeted pain management strategies and reduce the incidence of chronic pain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105436"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fever in a female patient of childbearing age: Case challenge","authors":"Humberto Reinoso, Tara Fernandez Bertulfo","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A 26-year-old female presents urgently to the primary care office with complaints of fever during flu/COVID season. Vague symptoms such as fever should trigger a wider net of possible etiologies, while not overlooking less common differentials to capture the correct cause of the problem. However, increasing demands on providers in busy practices can often encourage the astute clinician to consider more common diagnoses. This unfolding case highlights critical considerations for a young female patient presenting with fever.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105472"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144686203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Innovative Strategies in Competency-Based Advanced Practice Nursing Education: Dr. Loretta Ford’s Influence on Thinking Out of the Box","authors":"Jessica Parrott, Tina Gustin","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In 2021, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing released the new <em>Essentials</em> pivoting graduate education to competency-based outcomes. Using the <em>Essentials,</em> along with underpinnings of pioneering clinics modeled by Dr. Loretta Ford, an innovative call center was created and implemented to enhance the application of advanced-level competency-based education through the creation and implementation of a high-level triage call center in primary pediatrics. Twenty-six advanced practice and doctorate nursing students participated. Outcomes of competency attainment were compared between students who participated and those who did not. Participants demonstrated a higher level of conflict resolution, better patient and parent rapport, and improved counseling skills necessary to reduce anxiety more than the traditional clinical placement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105475"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144679179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From Rochester to the World: Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Loretta Ford","authors":"Lisa Kitko","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105473","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105473","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105473"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144672281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Empowering Primary Care Provider Engagement in Difficult Conversations","authors":"Jennifer L. Uzzell","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105484","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105484","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nurse practitioners positioned as primary care providers (PCPs) across various settings frequently face difficult and serious topics that require addressing with patients and families. Limited practical guidance exists to help PCPs prepare for these difficult encounters. The SPIKES (Setting up, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Emotions/Empathy, and Strategy/Summary) framework and the NURSE (Name, Understand, Respond, Support, and Explanation) tool are presented to assist PCPs in (1) facilitating difficult conversations, (2) incorporating patient preferences and values as a central component of evidence-based practice, and (3) ensuring appropriate follow-up and debriefing, aimed at improving outcomes of health care conversations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105484"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144672282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nitha Mathew Joseph, Rebecca L. Tsusaki, Doncy Joji Eapen, Olivia Fitch, Sara Lewandowski, Riza V. Mauricio, Melanie McEwen
{"title":"Assessment of the Cultural Competence of Nursing Faculty","authors":"Nitha Mathew Joseph, Rebecca L. Tsusaki, Doncy Joji Eapen, Olivia Fitch, Sara Lewandowski, Riza V. Mauricio, Melanie McEwen","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105485","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105485","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cultural competence is essential to nursing practice. A cross-sectional, descriptive quality improvement project was conducted using convenience sampling among 41 nursing faculty. A demographic and professional characteristics questionnaire and the Cultural Diversity Questionnaire for Nurse Educators–Revised were administered. Faculty were also asked about activities or topics they used to teach or measure students’ cultural competence or improve their own. Overall, the faculty had high levels of cultural competence; they scored highest in cultural awareness and lowest in cultural skills. Recommendations for integrating comprehensive education and training programs on cultural competence into nursing curricula and faculty professional development are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105485"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144672283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicole W. Carter, Janie A. Brown, Christopher Helms
{"title":"Nurse Practitioners as Policy Leaders: The Art and Strategy of Advocacy","authors":"Nicole W. Carter, Janie A. Brown, Christopher Helms","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105468","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105468","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nurse practitioners (NPs) play an essential role in shaping evidence-informed, patient-centered health policy, yet advocacy remains an underdeveloped aspect of their practice. Advocacy is central to NP leadership, combining research, policy engagement, and strategic communication. This article presents 7 evidence-based advocacy strategies with international applicability: staying informed about policy opportunities, strategically using research, effectively organizing contributions, writing impactful consultation responses, building professional networks, strengthening alliances, and engaging in governance structures. Recent health care reforms demonstrate successful policy window recognition through strategic preparation. Although grounded in the Australian experience, these strategies offer transferable principles for NPs globally facing similar barriers to advanced practice integration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105468"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hope Haynes Bussenius, Zoe Deem, David D.J. Demers
{"title":"Development of the HINTS/HINTS+ Exam Smartphone App and AI Integration","authors":"Hope Haynes Bussenius, Zoe Deem, David D.J. Demers","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105471","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105471","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This project examined the effectiveness of the new technology HINTS/HINTS+ (Head-Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew, plus hearing) exam in detecting posterior circulation strokes, which often present atypically and delay treatment. We developed an iOS application to support the HINTS/HINTS+ exam and improve stroke detection. Ten patients with vestibular symptoms were assessed using the application, with 1 correctly identified central and 9 peripheral pathologies. The application showed 100% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity. It allowed video replay for examiners to assess nystagmus and head impulse saccades better than clinical nonvideo testing. Results suggest wider HINTS application use, with future improvements through artificial intelligence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105471"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Deanna Magerer, Suzanna Fitzpatrick, Claire Bode, Barbara Wise
{"title":"Implementation of Evidence-Based Advocacy and Lobbying Toolkit","authors":"Deanna Magerer, Suzanna Fitzpatrick, Claire Bode, Barbara Wise","doi":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurpra.2025.105401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This quality improvement project implemented and assessed an evidence-based advocacy and lobbying toolkit to gain legislative support. The toolkit included templates for policy statements, legislator meetings, and testimony methods. Twenty-five legislative committee members from a Mid-Atlantic nurse practitioner professional state organization received advocacy toolkit education. Results showed varying template adherence rates: 10.8% for policy statements, 3.8% for legislator meetings, and 15.3% for testimony. Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale scores for confidence in legislative communication increased from 3.11 to 3.5, scored on a 0 to 4 Likert scale. The toolkit demonstrated potential to improve legislative communication effectiveness between nurse practitioners and legislators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101233,"journal":{"name":"The Journal for Nurse Practitioners","volume":"21 8","pages":"Article 105401"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}