Nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners often find themselves explaining their unique role. Our profession bridges the gap between our nursing roots and the future of health care—and our identity as nurses goes beyond direct ties to patient care.

In health care, being "dead on arrival" isn't just about clinical death. It's about the systemic barriers that deny care and shorten lives. Learn more about health care's hidden casualties from the eyes of a nurse practitioner.

Nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners from across the country celebrated NPD Week (September 10 - 16) in style this year. Scroll through a few of the week's highlights—from kind words to delicious treats to career successes—in this article.