FAQ about Nurse Practitioners
What are nurse practitioners?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have additional education and nursing experience, which enables them to:
Autonomously diagnose and treat illnesses
Order and interpret tests Prescribe medications
Perform medical procedures
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 lead a healthy life
Teaching persons how to manage chronic illness
NPs are also educators and researchers who can be consulted by other health-care team members.
Where do nurse practitioners work?
NPs work in a variety of health-care settings, such as:
Community care (community clinics, health-care centres, physicians’ offices and patients’ homes)
Long-term care (nursing homes)
Hospitals (outpatient clinics, emergency rooms and other patient areas)
NP-led clinics
What kind of health-care services does a nurse practitioner provide?
NPs provide a wide range of direct care services to people at every stage of life. In addition to treating illnesses, they teach individuals and their families about healthy living, preventing disease and managing illness. NPs bring together medical knowledge with the values and skills of nursing. NPs are also leaders, consultants and researchers who incorporate new knowledge into their practice.
Do nurse practitioners replace other health-care professionals? Will I still be able to see my doctor?
NPs work with, rather than replace, other health-care providers. They are part of a collaborative team that includes registered nurses, doctors, social workers and others. While seeing an NP, you can still see your family doctor or any other health-care provider.
What are the benefits of nurse practitioners?
NPs bring value to Canadians and their health-care system. Studies about these benefits and patients’ experiences tell 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 illness (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
In a survey conducted by the ARNNL (2016), Newfoundlanders & Labradorians said the following about NPs:
On a scale of 1-10, NPs scored an impressive average of 9.26, in terms of patient satisfaction.
All things considered, 98% of people who had seen a NP would see one again.
90% wanted to see more NPs working in their communities.
Can nurse practitioners work in every province and territory?
Every province and territory has NP legislation in place. According to the latest statistics, there are over 4,000 NPs in Canada. While most are in Ontario, the NP-to-person ratio is higher in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Are nurse practitioners new to the health-care system?
NPs first appeared in Canada in the 1960s. Early on, NPs provided care in rural and remote areas. By the 1970s, interest in the NP role increased and more education programs began. Today, NPs are an important part of the health-care system.
Looking for a Nurse Practitioner?
There are around 150 registered nurse practitioners (NPs) in Newfoundland and Labrador working in most areas of the province. To find a list of all ARNNL members who hold a Nurse Practitioner license in Newfoundland & Labrador click here https://www.arnnl.ca/member-search
If you have more questions ,feel free to contact us.