Government aims to increase number of nurse practitioners

The provincial government has announced new steps to increase the number of nurse practitioners within the health care system.

The regional health authorities will begin recruitment efforts to increase the number of nurse practitioners.

Government wants more nurse practitioners in rural areas of the province. At this time the vast majority of nurse practitioners in the province are employed in emergency departments and other specialty program areas, such as urology, cardiology, nephrology, long-term care and mental health and addictions, or with the 811 HealthLine.

Adding more nurse practitioners should help alleviate pressure on emergency departments.