Honoring the foundation. Building what's next.

FigureThis April issue marks a meaningful transition for The Nurse Practitioner, and I am honored to step into the role of Editor-in-Chief at a time when nurse practitioners (NPs) are not just participating in health care transformation but driving it. As this issue goes to press, I will be attending the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Annual Conference. If you are there, I invite you to stop by the Wolters Kluwer booth to meet me in person. Journals are built by people, not just manuscripts, and I believe strongly in staying connected to the clinicians, educators, and leaders this publication serves. These conversations matter, and they shape where we go next. For those who may not know my background, I am a practicing NP and health care entrepreneur. I lead one of the largest NP-led primary care practices in the country, run an education company used by universities nationwide, and work at the intersection of clinical care, professional training, and systems design. I also maintain a significant national media presence, translating complex medical and educational issues for clinicians and the public alike. My work is rooted in practice, built through education, and informed by real-world systems. That perspective will guide my leadership of this journal. I approach this role with deep respect for what The Nurse Practitioner already does exceptionally well. This publication has long been a trusted source of peer-reviewed scholarship, clinical insight, and practical education. That foundation is strong, and it matters. My goal is not to disrupt what works, but to protect it while ensuring the journal continues to evolve alongside the profession it represents. Health care is changing rapidly, and NP education must evolve with it. This April issue's focus on education is timely and essential. NPs are being asked to manage increasing complexity, practice under uncertainty, and deliver care across diverse populations and settings. Education today must do more than transmit information. It must build clinical judgment, confidence, and adaptability. The articles in this issue reflect that reality and contribute meaningfully to how we prepare clinicians for modern practice. My guiding pillars as Editor-in-Chief are continuity and progress. We will continue to prioritize rigorous scholarship, high editorial standards, and clinically relevant content. At the same time, we will intentionally move the journal into its next era. That includes expanding conversations around equity, access, and diversity as core components of excellence, not supplemental topics. Representation matters, including at the leadership level, and it matters in what we choose to publish, elevate, and examine. NPs practice at the intersection of science and humanity. This journal should reflect that balance. You can expect content that remains evidence-based while becoming increasingly responsive to what happens in exam rooms, classrooms, and communities. We will continue to support clinical excellence, professional growth, and patient-centered care, while also creating space for innovation, critical thinking, and honest dialogue about where the profession is headed. This journal is not meant to be static. It should be a living platform for the profession. I encourage readers, educators, and clinicians to reach out with ideas, questions, and suggestions. Tell us what you want to read, what challenges you are navigating, and what conversations you believe are overdue. Strong journals listen as much as they lead. I am excited about the future of The Nurse Practitioner. It has a respected legacy, and my commitment is to honor that legacy while ensuring it remains relevant, forward-looking, and reflective of the profession's growing influence. NPs are shaping the future of health care. This journal should help lead that future. I look forward to meeting many of you at NONPF and to building what comes next together.FigureEfrat “Dr. E” LaMandre, PhD, FNP-C Editor-in-Chief [email protected]