The Intake

Insights for those starting, managing, and growing independent healthcare practices

Kate Smith, RN, BSN

Kate Smith is a registered nurse with extensive experience caring for patients in urban emergency departments, private practices, in-home hospice settings, and on cruise ships around the world. She is also a writer who is passionate about the medical field, and endeavors to approach topics in ways that give readers a new perspective.

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  • Bachelor of Science, nursing, Georgetown University

  • Bachelor of Arts, political studies, Gordon College

Latest in Kate Smith, RN, BSN

State-by-state NP laws
State-by-state NP laws
A state-by-state breakdown of nurse practitioner practice authority laws

What you need to know about how your state defines and regulates nurse practitioners.

Physician educates a patient with patient education examples
Physician educates a patient with patient education examples
Patient education: Why patient education matters and how it improves outcomes

Here are the top 5 reasons patient education matters for your practice — plus 7 patient education examples to support engagement and improve outcomes.

healthcare financial analyst
healthcare financial analyst
Supercharge your medical practice financial health by optimizing operations

Optimize operations with the best habits for practice financial health.

employee retention in healthcare
employee retention in healthcare
Why employee retention is key to optimizing practice operations

Improving employee retention is a key to optimizing operations across cost efficiency, care delivery, and practice success.

two people doing a patient experience survey
two people doing a patient experience survey
How to create patient experience surveys to improve your practice

Gather feedback and insights with a patient experience survey — here’s how.

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your medical practice
NP stands smiling with other medical professionals happy to be a leader in nurse practitioner disruptive innovation
NP stands smiling with other medical professionals happy to be a leader in nurse practitioner disruptive innovation
Are nurse practitioners disruptive innovators in healthcare?

Nurse practitioners have a vital role in the future of healthcare. Here are 3 ways that NPs are at the forefront of innovation in patient care.

a doctor and patient discovering what is CAHPS survey
a doctor and patient discovering what is CAHPS survey
Everything you need to know about the CAHPS survey

Learn about the CAHPS survey and how it can help you evaluate your patients’ experience.

people taking advantage of the new COVID-19 booster by doing yoga in a group
people taking advantage of the new COVID-19 booster by doing yoga in a group
New COVID-19 boosters are coming — here’s what you need to know

The FDA has approved new COVID-19 booster vaccines to target the XBB.1.5 variant — but how successful they’ll be depends on effective communication from providers.

Two women looking at social media on a smartphone.
Two women looking at social media on a smartphone.
How to use social media influencers to help boost your medical practice

Learn about social media marketing for medical practices and how you can partner with influencers to boost patient engagement and practice growth.

a parent with a child who illustrates starting a medical practice checklist
a parent with a child who illustrates starting a medical practice checklist
New medical practice checklist: Here’s how to get started

Make starting a medical practice easier with this checklist.

How to recruit and hire graphic
How to recruit and hire graphic
How to recruit and hire for your new medical practice

Wondering about physician recruitment best practices? Here’s what you need to know to recruit, hire, and retain staff for your new medical practice.

medical clinic office equipment
medical clinic office equipment
Medical clinic office equipment: A checklist for your practice

The right medical office equipment can help you enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resources. Use this checklist to get started.

smiling employees at healthcare staff meeting discussing employee retention
smiling employees at healthcare staff meeting discussing employee retention
10 strategies to improve healthcare staff retention for your practice

Here’s how to reduce turnover, avoid the associated expenses, and build and maintain a strong team at your medical practice.

woman researching medical practice permit needs on computer
woman researching medical practice permit needs on computer
Starting a medical practice? Consider these permits

Getting ready to open your own medical practice? Find out if applying for the following permits should be on your to-do list.

physician using tech to provide patient care
physician using tech to provide patient care
Using technology to provide quality patient care at your new practice

Here’s what you need to know to make patient care technology work for you, your patients, and your practice.

image of person researching checklist for onboarding employees in a medical practice
image of person researching checklist for onboarding employees in a medical practice
5 steps to successfully onboard new employees at your medical practice

Better healthcare onboarding is an important part of practice management. Here’s how to do it correctly.

Healthcare provider reads about how to secure funding for medical practice business
Healthcare provider reads about how to secure funding for medical practice business
Securing funding for a new medical practice

One of the first steps in opening a practice is funding it. Here’s what you need to know about getting healthcare practice loans.

Healthcare professional reads about licenses to start your own medical business
Healthcare professional reads about licenses to start your own medical business
Licenses you need to start your own medical practice

Here’s how to ensure you have the necessary licenses and credentials you need when starting your own practice — and that you don’t overlook any part of the process.

Graphic depicting strategies to hire medical staff
Graphic depicting strategies to hire medical staff
Who are the first 5 people I need to hire at my new medical practice?

Finding the right team is a key part of building and sustaining any business, especially an independent practice. Here’s who to hire first — and how to identify qualified candidates.

starting a medical practice
starting a medical practice
How to start a new medical practice: The definitive guide

If you’re considering opening a practice and want step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process, you’ve found the right resource.

Physician takes a break from exercising to read about medical practice social media
Physician takes a break from exercising to read about medical practice social media
The ultimate guide to medical practice social media in 2025

Wondering where to start with medical practice social media? Here’s how to choose a platform, create great content, and find your audience.

woman contemplating social media tips for medical practices
woman contemplating social media tips for medical practices
Steal these medical practice social media tips

Execute a winning growth strategy with these 7 medical practice social media tips.

two doctors discussing flexibility in healthcare
two doctors discussing flexibility in healthcare
Why patients demand flexibility from their healthcare provider

Flexibility in healthcare matters to patients. Here’s how to increase your flexibility — not your workload.

Healthcare practice manager reads about social media and medical practices
Healthcare practice manager reads about social media and medical practices
How to use social media for your medical practice

Here’s how to create and implement a social media marketing strategy that grows your practice and empowers your patients.

Medical provider looks at examples of social media in healthcare marketing
Medical provider looks at examples of social media in healthcare marketing
5 healthcare providers who have nailed social media

These providers know how to attract patients with social media and keep them engaged.

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your medical practice

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your healthcare practice