The Lab Interpretation Course for Nurse Practitioners: Trusted by 1,000+ Across North America

Build confidence in lab interpretation with a step-by-step, evidence-based approach — designed for NPs, open to all healthcare providers

Meet the creators

  • Aliya Hajee

    Nurse Practitioner
    Course Creator & Instructor

  • Claudia Mariano

    Nurse Practitioner - Retired
    Expert Reviewer

  • Alix Consorti

    Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Reviewer

  • Kathryn Flanigan

    Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Reviewer

  • Dr. Ziad Solh

    Hematologist
    Expert Reviewer - Module 2

  • Dr. Supriya Joshi

    Hepatologist & Gastroenterologist
    Expert Reviewer - Module 3 & 5

  • Dr. Daniel Schwartz

    Nephrologist
    Expert Reviewer - Module 4

  • Dr. Akshay Jain

    Nephrologist
    Expert Reviewer - Module 6 & 7

Register now

We’ve got you covered

  • Developed by NPs and specialists across Canada

  • Designed for primary care with practical, real-world relevance

  • Evidence-based, step-by-step clinical guidance

  • On-demand, self-paced modules you can access anytime

Course overview

  • Interpreting labs can feel overwhelming in primary care. Results aren’t always clear, numbers alone don’t tell the story, and next steps aren’t always obvious.

    This is the first lab interpretation course designed with NPs in Canada in mind, created by NPs with input from specialists across the country. It is also relevant and accessible to NPs and other healthcare providers across North America.

    The course focuses on interpreting labs for non-pregnant adults in a way that is practical, evidence-based, and clinically relevant. You’ll gain step-by-step guidance grounded in clinical reasoning to interpret labs with clarity and confidence, while making informed, patient-centred decisions in everyday practice.

    By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

    • Apply a structured approach to interpreting lab tests.

    • Recognize normal and abnormal results in clinical context.

    • Identify critical findings that require urgent action or referral.

    • Select appropriate follow-up investigations.

    • Integrate lab results into clinical reasoning and management.

    This self-paced online course includes lifetime access with no subscriptions required. You’ll get 6+ hours of recorded content and 100+ pages of evidence-based material.

    Explore each section below for a high-level overview of the topics covered in this course.

    • When and why to order labs

    • Key factors to consider before ordering

    • Reference ranges and test accuracy

    • Understanding trends over time

    • Recognizing critical values

    • A structured approach to interpretation

    • Stepwise approach to red cells, white cells, and platelets

    • CBC components

    • Peripheral blood smear

    • RBC abnormalities:

      • Anemia

        • Microcytic anemia

        • Normocytic anemia

        • Macrocytic anemia

      • Polycythemia

    • WBC abnormalities:

      • Neutropenia

      • Lymphocytopenia

      • Neutrophilia

      • Lymphocytosis

      • Eosinophilia

    • Platelet abnormalities:

      • Thrombocytopenia

      • Thrombocytosis

    • Stepwise approach to iron studies and common deficiencies

    • Iron studies:

      • Ferritin

      • TIBC

      • TSAT

      • Serum iron

    • Recognizing common patterns

    • Iron deficiency anemia vs. anemia of chronic disease vs. iron overload

    • Vitamin B12 deficiency

    • Vitamin D deficiency

    • Stepwise approach to kidney function tests and common electrolyte abnormalities

    • Kidney function:

      • eGFR

      • Creatinine

      • BUN

      • ACR

      • Urinalysis

    • AKI vs. CKD

    • Staging CKD

    • Electrolyte abnormalities:

      • Hyponatremia

      • Hypernatremia

      • Hypokalemia

      • Hyperkalemia

      • Hypercalcemia

    • Stepwise approach to liver function tests

    • Liver function tests:

      • ALT

      • AST

      • ALP

      • GGT

      • Bilirubin

      • Albumin

      • INR

    • Patterns of abnormal liver tests

      • Hepatocellular

      • Cholestatic

      • Isolated hyperbilirubinemia

      • Mixed

      • Synthetic abnormalities

    • Hep B

    • Hep C

    • MASLD

    • Stepwise approach to hormonal and reproductive tests

    • Thyroid function

      • TSH

      • Free T4

      • Free T3

      • Anti-TPO

      • Anti-TG

      • TRAb/TSI

      • Hypothyroidism

      • Hyperthyroidism

    • Female hormone tests

      • FSH

      • LH

      • E2

      • Progesterone

      • Prolactin

      • Total testosterone

      • DHEAS

      • Androstenedione

      • AMH

    • Amenorrhea and irregular cycles

    • PCOS

    • Perimenopause and menopause

    • Infertility

    • Male hormone tests

      • Total testosterone

      • Free testosterone

      • SHBG

      • FSH

      • LH

      • Prolactin

      • SHBG

    • Low testosterone

    • Adrenal Insufficiency

      • Cortisol

      • ACTH

    • Stepwise approach

    • Diabetes:

      • Fasting glucose

      • HbA1c

      • OGTT

      • Random glucose

      • C-peptide

      • Diabetes autoantibodies

      • Differentiating between type 1 vs type 2

    • Lipid and related screening:

      • Lipid panel

      • Apo B

      • Lipoprotein(a)

    • Cardiovascular risk assessment

    • Metabolic syndrome

    • CK

    • Stepwise approach to inflammatory markers

    • Elevated ESR

    • Elevated CRP

    • Positive RF

    • Positive Anti-CCP

    • Positive ANA

    • Positive Anti-dsDNA

Reviewed by NPs

  • “This course is valuable for both new and experienced NPs. The content is comprehensive, well-organized, and directly relevant to clinical practice. It really helps build confidence with lab interpretation—something that’s so important but often under-taught. I would highly recommend it to any NP looking to strengthen these skills.”

    Alix Consorti, MN, BScN, NP-PHC, MSCP

  • “This lab interpretation course is an outstanding resource for NPs looking to strengthen their diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making. It offers a much more thorough and practical approach to interpreting lab results in everyday practice. This level of lab interpretation isn’t always taught in our training, and this course helps fill that gap.”

    Claudia Mariano, MSc, BScN, PHCNP

  • “This course is an excellent review for both NP learners and experienced clinicians. It walks through why certain labs are ordered, what conditions might be causing abnormal results, and how to interpret that. The self-paced format makes it easy to access when needed. I highly recommend it!”

    Kathryn Flanigan, MN, BScN, NP-PHC

  • Ready to feel confident interpreting labs?

    Join a community building confidence in lab interpretation.

    ✔ Learn through a fully online, self-paced course you can start anytime
    ✔ Watch 6+ hours of video lessons led by NPs in collaboration with experts
    ✔ Access 100+ pages of evidence-based resources you can use right away in practice
    ✔ Connect with peers in a private discussion space for support and collaboration
    ✔ Study anywhere — on desktop, mobile, or through our app for easy access
    ✔ Enjoy lifetime access with a one-time payment — no subscriptions required

    Register now

Testimonials

  • “Understanding labs & appreciating proper management of those labs, can be a knowledge gap for many providers. The NP Circle's Lab Course is a self-paced program that efficiently reviews almost 80 different lab values, and discusses complications, and management. The course is beautifully laid out with a standardized approach for labs, and quickly gets to the heart of the topic with each lab review completed in under 5 minutes. It is the perfect course for the provider that is short on time, but struggling with lab interpretation. This course is by far the most valuable course I have ever taken.”

    Meagan Beavers, MSN, RN, BA, FNP-C, CEN
    Nurse Practitioner - CA, ON

  • “As an experienced nurse practitioner, I found this lab interpretation course to be both refreshing and incredibly valuable. The content is concise yet comprehensive, covering everything from basic panels to more complex diagnostics in a clinically relevant way. It’s clear the course was designed with real-world application in mind — bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and what we actually see in practice. Whether you’re newly licensed or have years under your belt, this course sharpens your diagnostic skills and boosts confidence in managing complex lab results. Highly recommend for anyone looking to elevate their clinical acumen.”

    Kristen Carey, MN, NP(F)
    Nurse Practitioner - SK, BC

  • "As a new graduate, NP Circle has been a life changer for me. I feel extremely empowered by the community, the trainings, and the knowledge I’ve gained so far. The Lab Interpretation Course has made a huge difference in my confidence and was exactly what I needed. I love the short videos, how the course is divided, and how clear and easy everything is to understand. It’s already changing my day-to-day practice!"

    Marianne Leblond, MN, IPSPL
    Nurse Practitioner - QC

  • "NP Circle’s Lab Interpretation Course is an amazing resource for both new and seasoned NPs. It’s self-paced with lifetime access and is conveniently delivered in short sections that can be completed at any time as schedules allow. The hard work put into the development of this course is evidenced by the comprehensive content and expert review. This is an outstanding and much needed resource for all NPs contributing to a gap in NP education. Thank you NP Circle!"

    Kimberly Harkness, MN, NP-PHC, NP-Adult, GNC(C)
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • “NP Circle creates the best educational opportunities I’ve come across in my NP career thus far. Hearing from the industry’s top specialists about tips and tricks on how we can manage many illnesses and conditions that we often refer for in primary care is motivating, empowering and can significantly reduce the volume of referrals sent and wait times for patients.”

    Brooke Wagner, MN, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • "I am so incredibly grateful and happy that NP Circle exists! I’ve always felt that NPs in Canada haven’t previously had structured and high quality resources available to help foster continuing education after graduation, and NP Circle has really superseded my expectations. Every course I’ve attended has left me with a wealth of invaluable and practical knowledge, and the “Resource” section on this website is full of high-quality and practical resources! I also love the questions and answers that NPs accross Canada are able to contribute to, it’s such a helpful learning resource. I can’t thank Aliya enough for creating this space for all of us!"

    Andrea Mayne, MN, AGPCNP
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • “These are the most important education sessions you can attend as a nurse practitioner in primary health care. You leave with tangible tools to better serve your patients and minimize unnecessary referrals and long specialist wait times. Sessions are organized with sufficient time for questions and some specialist even provide post-session written materials.”

    Alexandra Milne, MN, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • "I’m loving being a part of NP Circle! The courses are taught by MDs and NPs who are the best in their field. I’ve had so many great takeaways for my practice. All the resources I need for practice are easily accessible. It’s also been nice to receive updates on relevant news to NP practice and to learn from difficult cases posted by other NPs. Any questions I have related to daily practice or career advancement I can post on there and someone always has helpful advice/information. All in all it’s a great one stop shop for all my NP needs!"

    Helen Nicolle, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON, NB

  • “I’m so happy this exists! I would highly recommend these events to any primary care provider who is looking to gain knowledge from some of the best specialists and improve their everyday practice. I’ve already been able to implement some of the knowledge I gained from the first session into my practice and prevent an unnecessary referral! 5/5 stars”

    Bri Smith, MN, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • "As a recently retired NP, I have experienced firsthand the diverse facets of our profession, from clinical expertise and advocacy, to leadership , scholarship, and research. Now more than ever, it's crucial to be part of a supportive community of like-minded NPs. Being connected in this way empowers us to grow both individually and collectively, enhancing our ability to elevate patient care to new heights."

    Claudia Mariano, MSc, PHCNP
    Retired Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • “Could not be happier with my decision to attend this event. For ~$20 per session, you get evidence-based and relevant clinical tools from medical specialists. The majority of the sessions are held after a standard work day and recorded for later viewing as well, which is super convenient. After attending each session, I take away valuable knowledge that will enhance the care that I provide my patients.”

    Claire Smith, MN, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

 FAQs

  • This is a fully asynchronous course — meaning it’s on-demand, self-paced, and entirely online. You can start anytime and complete it at your own pace, whenever it works best for you.

  • All participants can request a certificate of completion once they finish the course.

  • The course draws on both Canadian and U.S. guidelines, making it relevant across North America. Lab values are presented in metric units, and imperial units will be also be included with the September 20 update.

  • Accreditation is currently under consideration. If the course becomes accredited, all participants will be notified.

  • While many participants are in North America, healthcare professionals from other regions are welcome to take part.

  • While many of our participants are NPs, we also welcome a wide range of healthcare professionals including physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, registered practical nurses, pharmacists, midwives, naturopaths, dieticians, and more.