Healthcare reform, primary care physician shortages and the movement toward a barrier free practice have made nurse practitioners (NPs) news worthy.
NPs are being sought after for opinions and comments on topics such as the Future of Nursing Report, health care reform, expansion of state practice acts, legislative issues and more. Shedding our “secret NP” cloak is a task that belongs to all NPs. As a professional, you’ll want to be ready to step up to the plate when the opportunity arises and a media kit can help you be prepared.
What IS a media kit?
It’s an educational and promotional tool you can use to draw attention to yourself, your practice, your business and to nurse practitioners in general.
It’s a great way for you to have information ready when you are asked. You can use it with news and popular media, legislators, your neighbors, potential employers, business associates and more.
Before you get started, you’ll want to identify the purpose and goal for the media kit, as the contents may change depending on its use. Ideally, you’ll have appropriate materials available and ready to include as the need arises.
What is IN the Media Kit?
1. Your CV or resume. They both will have specific purposes, so choose accordingly.
2. A professional photograph. While having one created professionally is a good idea, it’s not a requirement. You do however want a photograph that is well done and is appropriate for the audience who will be receiving your media kit.
3. An FAQ sheet answering several questions which might include:
- What is a nurse practitioner?
- How do NPs differ from other health care providers?
- What can an NP do? (you may want to make this state specific, again depending on your goals)
- Why would I want to see an NP?
- How can an NP help me?
- How do I know NP care is good?
- Links to research. You may also consider linking to authority sites such as AANP, IOM Report on the Future of Nursing, State board of nursing, etc.
4. Examples of any media or other material pertinent to your goal. These can be created by you or someone else. Make sure if you are using another persons material, that you have permission and you give attribution.
- Articles
- Published books, research
- Videos
- Audio recordings, sound bites
- Professional online profile/website or biosketch
5. Your contact information
- Omit your private contact such as your home address and phone number.
- Include any social media pages and profiles.
- Give an email address and/or cell phone as appropriate.
You can either have this material prepared in hard copy and keep it in a folder or portfolio or create a digital media kit online. Chances are you have much of this material already and only need to assemble it in one place.
What do you think? Will you create your own media kit? Post your comments and questions below.
~~~~~
Barbara C Phillips, NP is a professional speaker, author, clinician and business owner who provides business education, resources and support to Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and other Advance Practice Clinicians — both for the employed and self-employed clinician. Additional information about Ms. Phillips is available at www.BarbaraCPhillips.com.
In 
It’s 2013 and still more than half the states require Nurse Practitioners and other advanced practices nurses (APN’s) to have a formal collaborative (and in some states supervisory) relationship with a physician. While the Future of Nursing Report recommends removing barriers to full practice, it’s likely to be slow going. Thus, finding and working with one or more collaborating physicians is a reality for many of us. However, the “political” climate and regulations in many states makes it challenging to do so.
