How does sodium/potassium pump help with actions potential generation in nerves?

Sodium/potassium pump does not directly affect action potentials or their propagation in the nerve and can even be blocked by certain substances and action potentials would still be generated for a while. However it creates net outward current since it takes 3 sodium ions out and only 2 potassium ions in. This way cell is more negatively charged and ready to be depolarized.Secondly it also helps maintain concentrations of sodium and potassium, outside and inside the cell which are naturally changed after firing of several action potentials. If too many action potentials are fired in a row, the pump will not be able to keep up and too much potassium will accumulate extracellulary (this could happen in exercise but among other things is counteracted by sympathetic nervous system stimulating the pump).