Np programs in canada

It is innovative healthcare collaborators, such as advanced practice nurses, who are poised to meet the challenges of an evolving healthcare system.

In order to optimize the contribution that nursing has made to healthcare and address the issues of rising healthcare costs, shortages of medical professionals, and limited access to care, the role of the advanced practice nurse is now being expanded and clearly defined. According to the Canadian Nurses Association CNA , the advanced practice nursing professional has clearly defined professional roles, which include direct patient care, research, education, consultation, collaboration, and leadership activities.

The International Council of Nurses defines individuals in both of these roles as registered nurses who have an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for expanded practice. As advance practice nurses build upon expertise in specialty areas by applying the theoretical, empirical, ethical, and experimental foundations of nursing, they are equipped to provide effective and efficient care to an identified population; demonstrate leadership to improve client, organization, and system outcomes; and integrate in-depth nursing knowledge, research, and discipline to improve access to quality care.

The Canadian Nurses Association CNA notes that the advanced practice nurse is an umbrella term for a nursing professional who has achieved a graduate-level education, and who has the in-depth nursing knowledge and expertise to meet the health care needs of individuals, families, communities, and specific patient populations.

The Nurse Practitioner NP is a registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing who provides direct care for health promotion and the treatment and management of health conditions. Nurse practitioners diagnose illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals, and perform specific procedures within their scope of practice.

PHCNPs work in such locales as community healthcare centers, primary healthcare settings and long-term care institutions. The focus of the PHCNP is on health promotion, preventative care, treating and diagnosing acute illnesses and injuries, and overseeing and managing stable chronic diseases.

They provide care to individuals who are acutely, critically or chronically ill, often working in in-patient settings, such as neonatology, nephrology, and cardiology units. A Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS is a registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing and expertise in a clinical nursing specialty.

The CNA notes that CNSs contribute to the development of nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice while addressing complex healthcare issues for patients, families, administrators and policy makers.

In particular, CNSs are essential for the development of clinical guidelines and protocols and the facilitation of system change. The CNS specializes in a specific nursing practice that is often defined by patient population, setting, or medical subspecialty, such as family, adult, community and mental health.

It is the graduate education that allows advance practice nurses to analyze and synthesize knowledge and understand, interpret, and apply nursing theory and research. The CNA notes, however, that advanced practice nurses cannot assume their practice is at the advanced level based on education alone. Instead, it is the graduate education and clinical experience that prepare nurses to practice at an advanced level. The program consists of 24 units of study, five on-site components and a hour internship.

There is a part-time study option available for the first year; however, every year after that must be completed full time. Many of the nursing courses are taught through an online classroom. Students will take courses such as methodological knowledge and advanced practice nursing, advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning theory and applied pathophysiology. The nurse practitioner program at the University of British Columbia combines theoretical and clinical nursing practice in its curriculum.

Students take courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology and health promotion. The program requires completion of a clinically-based project.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 56 credits. Prospective students of the University of New Brunswick nurse practitioner program should be prepared for a heavy clinical component of the program. Students have the option of pursuing full-time or part-time studies.