Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with graduate education and training in advanced clinical practice. After receiving a degree as a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioners continue their education and obtain a Graduate degree and receive additional advanced clinical training.

They conduct comprehensive health assessment, diagnose health conditions, and treat and manage acute and chronic illness within a holistic model of care. NPs order and interpret screening and diagnostic tests, perform procedures, and prescribe medications (no restrictions) and therapeutic interventions and can refer to specialists.

Nurse practitioners act as primary care providers within their stream of practice. They work independently across the spectrum of health services, such as acute care, primary care, community health, long-term care, specialty areas of health and emergency care. They work collaboratively with physicians and other health care professionals to provide high-quality, patient-centred care.

Nurse practitioners use a holistic approach to health care, focusing not only on medical issues or problems, but also on patient/family-centered care including the psychosocial and functional aspects of life. Nurse practitioners provide patient education, health promotion, and involve patients in care.  They have been shown to consistently have high rates of patient satisfaction with similar health outcomes when compared to the care provided by a family physician. Additionally, nurse practitioners provide timely access to care, especially in rural areas, relieving wait times and healthcare costs.

The LBD PCN Nurse Practitioner will be working in the committees of Thorsby and Warburg; we are currently securing locations for clinics in both communities.