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Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with a graduate degree in Advanced Nursing Practice and an expanded scope of practice. NPs improve timely access to high-quality, cost-effective care in a broad range of health care settings. Their expanded scope of practice includes the ability to diagnose, perform procedures, order and interpret screening/diagnostic tests and prescribe treatment to specific client populations.
NPs are able to work one-on one with patients, managing health conditions by treating injuries and illnesses, as well as supporting injury and disease prevention. They may also practice in a collaborative team that includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, doctors, social workers and others. Through their practice and collaboration with other health-care providers, NPs improve timely access to high-quality and cost-effective care, reducing pressure on the health care system.
NPs are health care professionals who treat the whole person, an approach that includes:
- Addressing needs relating to a person’s physical and mental health
- Gathering medical history
- Focusing on how an illness affects a person’s life and family
- Offering ways for a person to live a health life
- Teaching persons how to manage chronic illnesses.
NPs are also educators and researchers who can act as consultants for other health care professionals.
NPs first appeared in Canada in the 1960s, providing care in rural and remote areas. In the mid 1960s and early 1970s, there were four driving forces for implementing the NP role:
- Introduction of universal, publicly funded medical insurance
- A perceived physician shortage
- Increased emphasis on primary health care
- Trend toward medical specialization
In response to these priorities, it was recommended that NPs be trained yo meet primary health care needs across the country and that NPs should be the first contact for people entering the health care system.
By the mid 1970s, provinces led their own initiatives to recruit NPs, interest in the NP role increased and more education programs began.
- Make a diagnosis identifying a disease, disorder or condition
- Communicate the diagnosis to the client and other health-care professionals as appropriate
- Initiate, order or prescribe consultations and referrals
- Order and interpret screening and diagnostic tests (with some limitations)
- Recommend, prescribe and reorder drugs (with some exceptions)
NPs are regulated provincially. Their scope of responsibilities may vary from province to province.
NPs bring value to Canadians and their health care system. Studies on benefits of NPs and patients’ experience tells us that NPs:
- Involve patients in decisions about their care
- Improve access to primary health care
- Reduce pressures on the health care system
- Are valued and trusted by patients
- Provide high-quality management of chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)
Where do NPs work?
NPs work in a variety of health care settings, such as:
- Community care (community clinics, health care centres, physicians' offices, patients' homes)
Long-term care (nursing homes)
- Hospitals (outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, and other patient areas)
- NP-led clinics
What is the role of the nurse practitioner?
NPs begin their career as registered nurses, meaning they share many of the same approaches to patient care as RNs. NPs have added training and education that allows them to diagnose, prescribe and perform procedures. NPs fulfill an invaluable role in providing primary care and other sectors.
What is the job market like for NPs?
With an increasing demand for health care providers and services across Canada, there has been significant growth in the number of NP positions in most provinces. Not only are there jobs available in primary care, but there’s an increasing number of positions for NPs in areas such as long-term care, women’s health, pediatrics, emergency, neonatal care, and other specialties.
