What is a Nurse Practitioner?

About Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners provide both physical and mental care for acute and chronic illness, treating the whole person, and working in collaboration and as a team with registered nurses, doctors, social workers, and other medical practitioners in all branches of medicine.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with additional education and experience who manage and complement the care and treatment provided by their colleagues and peers by gathering comprehensive medical history, ordering essential diagnostic tests and medical treatments, and providing guidance for patients and their families to manage illnesses and live a healthy life.

Nurse Practitioners are qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses, order tests, prescribe medications, and make referrals. They can be found practicing in a multitude of healthcare facilities including doctors’ offices, community health clinics, urgent care centers, public health units, long-term care facilities as well as both hospital in-patient and outpatient units.

Services performed by Nurse Practitioners can include a wide range of procedures and care such as annual physicals, immunizations and screening for diseases, treatment of injury, acute illnesses, infections, counseling, and monitoring patients with chronic disorders such as diabetes, allergies, and asthma. Nurse Practitioners can also make referrals to other health providers depending on the treatment needed.

Nurse practitioners work across all fields of medicine and collaborate and consult alongside medical professionals including Family Doctors / General Practitioners, Emergency Medicine Doctors, Internists, and General Surgeons.

If you are in Canada and need a primary care provider, we have compiled many resources that may help to connect you with a nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients in your area.

Useful Resources

Canada

Canadian Nurses Association

Alberta

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia