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This month, we are proud to highlight specialty and subspecialty practice by nurse practitioners.
The contents of this issue reflect the results of a national call for abstracts focused on specialties and subspecialties. Dozens of NPs submitted article ideas and outlines, and our editorial board selected the topics appearing in the issue.
The specialties reflected in these articles range from broad clinical areas such as orthopedics and oncology to focused subspecialties such as transplant medicine and pediatric voiding dysfunction.
Oncology practice is the subject of our continuing education article, which explores the evolution of the nurse practitioner role in cancer care. Oncology NPs are employed in private oncology practices, emergency departments, surgical centers, community health clinics, disease-specific oncology clinics, and hospitals. NPs who specialize in oncology can work in a variety of its subspecialties, including surgery, radiation, research and survivorship. The article includes case examples that illustrate the critical need for effective pain management: More than 70% of patients with advanced cancer experience moderate to severe pain.
Another article in the issue shares the author's transition into and within the specialty of orthopedics. Michael Zychowicz, NP, focused on primary care and cardiology during his adult nurse practitioner education. When he could not find a good fit in either clinical area, he accepted a position in orthopedics, where a physician mentored him in this new specialty.
"My passion for orthopedics was truly ignited when I had my first opportunity to assist in surgery," Zychowicz writes. "For me, a man who enjoys tools and woodworking, the chance to saw, hammer and drill to repair living tissue was exciting."
No doubt many of you can recall the events that ignited your own professional fire. We hope you enjoy this celebration of the diverse and dynamic evolution of NP practice.
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