Primary Care Review Course for Nurse Practitioners

Build confidence across the full scope of primary care with a comprehensive, end-to-end, self-paced online review course designed for primary care nurse practitioners across North America.

Launching Summer 2026

Pre-launch registration pricing ends May 31.

Register now

NP Circle is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

We’ve got you covered

  • Evidence-based review of common primary care conditions

  • Strong focus on clinical reasoning and safe decision-making

  • Designed for real-world primary care practice

  • Private peer discussion space for collaboration and support

  • Self-paced, online learning with lifetime, on-demand access

 Course overview

  • Primary care is full-scope and fast. In a single day, you may manage undifferentiated symptoms, overlapping differentials, chronic disease follow-up, prevention, medication decisions, abnormal labs, and clinical risk, often within limited time and incomplete information.

    Even experienced NPs feel the cognitive load.

    The Primary Care Review Course was created to bring structure back to that complexity. This is not a surface-level overview. It is a clinically grounded, comprehensive, end-to-end primary care review built around how nurse practitioners actually practice. The course moves systematically through assessment, differential diagnosis, targeted investigations, evidence-based first-line management, follow-up planning, safety-netting, referral thresholds, and prevention, integrating clinical reasoning with real-world primary care execution.

    Across 16 in-depth modules, you will review high-frequency presentations and core conditions seen in full-scope primary care using a consistent clinical framework you can apply immediately in clinic.

    This course integrates Canadian, U.S., and international recommendations. Lab values are presented in SI units, with conventional units included where appropriate.

    Who it’s for

    This course is designed for clinicians who want to:

    • Strengthen clinical reasoning across the full scope

    • Feel more consistent in assessment and work-up decisions

    • Clarify referral thresholds and escalation triggers

    • Refresh core knowledge after time away or a role transition

    • Reduce uncertainty in complex, overlapping presentations

    Suitable for nurse practitioners and other clinicians practicing in primary care.

    How each module is taught

    Every module follows the same structured clinical approach:

    • Assessment and focused history and exam

    • Red flags and risk stratification

    • Differential diagnosis

    • Targeted investigations

    • Evidence-based first-line management

    • Follow-up and monitoring

    • Safety-netting

    • Referral and escalation thresholds

    • Prevention and screening considerations when relevant

    This framework is repeated across all modules to strengthen clinical consistency and safe decision-making.

    Learning objectives

    By the end of this activity, learners will be able to:

    1. Recognize typical presentations and key assessment features of common acute and chronic primary care conditions across the lifespan, including red flags and risk stratification.

    2. Formulate focused differential diagnoses and select appropriate initial diagnostic work-up when indicated.

    3. Initiate evidence-informed first-line treatment strategies, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options.

    4. Develop practical management and next-step plans that incorporate monitoring, follow-up intervals, safety-netting, prevention and screening considerations, and referral or escalation thresholds.

    Course format

    • Fully self-paced and online

    • On-demand video lessons designed for busy clinicians

    • Downloadable clinical reference tools

    • Private peer discussion space

    • Lifetime access with one-time enrollment

    • ANCC contact hours, details shared once finalized

    Click each module below to see what you’ll learn. Each one covers common presentations and core conditions you manage in full-scope primary care. Topics may be refined as the course is finalized.

    • Approach to undifferentiated symptoms

    • Clinical risk prioritization

    • Pattern recognition and diagnostic framing

    • Avoiding over-testing and missed diagnoses

    • Follow-up structure and documentation clarity

    • Preventive care integration

    • Hypertension and secondary causes

    • Dyslipidemia and ASCVD risk reduction

    • Stable chest pain and ischemic patterns

    • Atrial fibrillation and stroke risk

    • Heart failure management

    • Peripheral arterial disease

    • Chronic edema and dyspnea evaluation

    • Asthma and COPD

    • Acute bronchitis and pneumonia

    • Chronic cough

    • Interstitial and restrictive patterns recognition

    • Smoking and vaping cessation

    • Obstructive sleep apnea

    • Type 2 diabetes and escalation of therapy

    • Prediabetes and prevention

    • Obesity as a chronic disease

    • Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

    • Thyroid nodules

    • Adrenal insufficiency recognition

    • Metabolic syndrome

    • Contraception selection and contraindications

    • Abnormal uterine bleeding

    • PCOS

    • Perimenopause and menopause

    • Vulvovaginal conditions

    • Early pregnancy considerations

    • Preventive screening

    • Lower urinary tract symptoms and BPH

    • Erectile dysfunction

    • Testosterone evaluation

    • Prostate cancer screening conversations

    • Sexual health and STIs

    • Preventive care

    • Acute and chronic abdominal pain

    • GERD and dyspepsia

    • H. pylori considerations

    • IBS versus inflammatory patterns

    • Chronic diarrhea and constipation

    • NAFLD or MASLD

    • Gallbladder disease

    • Rectal bleeding triage

    • Chronic kidney disease staging and monitoring

    • Acute kidney injury recognition

    • Electrolyte abnormalities

    • Proteinuria and hematuria

    • Recurrent UTIs

    • Nephrolithiasis

    • Medication safety in renal impairment

    • Acute and chronic low back pain

    • Radiculopathy and neurologic deficits

    • Osteoarthritis

    • Osteoporosis

    • Gout and crystal arthritis

    • Inflammatory arthritis patterns

    • Fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain

    • Eczema and dermatitis

    • Psoriasis

    • Acne and rosacea

    • Cellulitis and skin infections

    • Urticaria

    • Suspicious pigmented lesions

    • Non-melanoma skin cancer patterns

    • Upper and lower respiratory infections

    • Skin and soft tissue infections

    • Urinary infections

    • STI screening and management

    • Shingles

    • Tick-borne illness considerations

    • Principles of antimicrobial stewardship

    • Otitis media and externa

    • Sinusitis

    • Hearing loss patterns

    • Sore throat evaluation

    • Conjunctivitis and red eye

    • Acute vision changes

    • Headache and migraine patterns

    • Secondary headache red flags

    • Dizziness and vertigo

    • TIA and stroke recognition

    • Seizure first presentation

    • Peripheral neuropathy

    • Tremor and movement concerns

    • Major depressive disorder

    • Generalized anxiety disorder

    • OCD

    • ADHD

    • Bipolar disorder recognition

    • Insomnia

    • Alcohol and substance use disorders

    • Well-child visits

    • Fever and acute illness triage

    • Pediatric asthma

    • Otitis and pharyngitis

    • Developmental milestones

    • Growth concerns

    • Red flag recognition

    • Frailty and multimorbidity

    • Polypharmacy and deprescribing

    • Falls and mobility concerns

    • Cognitive impairment and dementia screening

    • Delirium recognition

    • Goals of care conversations

Register now

 FAQs

  • They complement each other, but they are designed for different goals and learning styles.

    Primary Care Review Course
    A comprehensive, structured online review of common acute and chronic conditions across primary care. Fully self-paced and designed to cover the full scope as an end-to-end clinical refresher.

    Primary Care Expert Series
    Specialist-led, live online deep dives into selected high-impact topics that carry nuance in practice, with case discussion and Q&A. Full recordings are included and available on demand.

    Summary
    Choose the Review Course for a complete review of primary care fundamentals across the full scope.
    Choose the Expert Series for specialist teaching, practical frameworks, and live Q&A on complex topics, plus full recordings.
    Choose both to combine comprehensive review with deeper specialist insight.

  • The Primary Care Review Course is expected to launch in Summer 2026. Learners who register during pre-launch will receive updates as the course is finalized.

  • NP Circle is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. ANCC contact hours are accepted by the AANP Certification Board for nurse practitioner recertification. Accreditation details will be shared once finalized.

  • Yes. A certificate of completion will be issued once all course requirements are completed. Details will be shared prior to launch.

  • No. This course is fully online and self-paced.

  • No. This course is designed for a range of clinicians working in primary care, including nurse practitioners, physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers.

  • The course integrates Canadian, U.S., and international clinical guidelines. Lab values are presented in SI units, with conventional units included where applicable.

Testimonials

  • "I’m so grateful for NP Circle. This platform has given me the opportunity not only to connect with nurse practitioners across the country, but also to access high-quality, accessible online educational opportunities. The Menopause Management Course was excellent, offering practical, evidence-based tools that I will be able to utilize in my practice when caring for women during this life transition. I look forward to the upcoming Primary Care Review Course. Thank you to Aliya and the NP Circle team for building this great platform together!"

    Kathy Rukavina, MN, ANP, NP(F)
    Nurse Practitioner - AB

  • “I am a semi-retired NP providing care to remote communities. Even after 25 years in practice and decades of women’s health conferences, I still find menopause care challenging to navigate at times. The Menopause Management Course has been the perfect enhancement to my knowledge. The content is highly curated, evidence-based, and well organized, with helpful PDFs and charts for each module. The self-paced format with built-in repetition makes it easy to retain key concepts. Concepts like SERMs, TSECs, and KNDy neurons finally clicked once I heard Aliya explain them. Aliya’s gentle voice provides a warm and humble backdrop, and you can feel the respect she has for women, the content, and the learner. Kudos to Aliya, Claudia, and their team. This is most certainly the best course I have ever taken, and I have enough certificates to paper a wall.”

    Barb Hood, BScN, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON, NWT 

  • “NP Circle is an incredible platform for the busy NP. Not only are their multiple course offerings, but there is a plethora of valuable resources at one's fingertips - including the valuable input from other NP's. Having taken multiple courses from a wide variety of platforms, I can attest that NP Circle is absolutely the best platform out there in regards to content and value for money. The NP Circle Lab Interpretation 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

  • “The education is excellent. As an NP, I appreciate how practical and clinically focused the Menopause Management Course is. Menopause is an area of women’s health that is often overlooked in traditional training, yet it has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. This course provides clear, evidence-informed guidance that will meaningfully improve how NPs assess, educate, and support women through this transition.”

    Poonam Sehgal, MScN, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • "I am so incredibly grateful and happy that NP Circle exists! I’ve always felt that NPs 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 taken has left me with a wealth of invaluable and practical knowledge, and the platform is full of high-quality and practical resources! I also love the questions and answers that NPs across the country 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

  • "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

  • “This is a wonderful platform. I actually left primary care about a year ago because I was a new grad and felt so overwhelmed by all the knowledge gaps I had. But since I’ve been watching all of these webinars and doing my own studying to fill in my learning gaps, I went back to primary care a couple of months ago. I’m sure you know this, but you are making such a massive difference for NPs!”

    Kelsey MacNeil, MN, NP-PHC
    Nurse Practitioner - ON

  • "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

  • “Could not be happier with my decision to attend the Primary Care Expert Series. For less than $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

  • “After completing the Menopause Management Course this past weekend, I was able to immediately apply what I learned in my primary care practice. Just yesterday, I used the principles from the course with 4 different patients at 4 different stages of menopause! I felt confident asking pertinent questions, discussing expectations, and even adjusting hormone therapy routes when requested. As an experienced provider, this felt like a true WIN-WIN! I was able to expand my knowledge while guiding my patients toward the best course of treatment for their lives. I highly recommend NP Circle’s Menopause Management Course!”

    Antoinette Riley, DNP, FNP-BC, DCNP
    Nurse Practitioner - TX

  • “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 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

  • “The NP Circle Menopause Management Course opened up so much information and understanding for me regarding the transition for women and how to better treat them. The course was laid out in such a way that each module built on the prior ones which provided a deeper understanding and solidification of knowledge. I feel more prepared to take the Menopause Society Certification Exam after completion of this course. Highly recommend this course!”

    Lori Wistling, APRN, FNP-BC, FNP-C
    Nurse Practitioner - FL

  • "I’m loving being a part of NP Circle! The courses are taught by NPs, MDs, and others 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

A comprehensive, self-paced, end-to-end primary care review

Pre-launch registration is now available and ends May 31.

Register now