St. John’s, NL – The Registered Nurses’ Union (RNU) Newfoundland & Labrador is proud to acknowledge November 7-13 as Nurse Practitioners’ Week. This is a time to celebrate nurse practitioners (NPs) and raise awareness of the exceptional care they provide to communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.
It’s also an opportunity to call on policymakers to harness the full potential of NPs to improve timely access to health care.
“The improvements NPs could make in the delivery of primary health care and across the system are monumental,” said RNU President Yvette Coffey. “We’re encouraged the provincial government is exploring opportunities to more fully utilize this critical health care provider. RNU continues to advocate for an increase to the number of NP positions, the introduction of NP-led clinics and a public funding model for NP services.”
NPs can help improve access to care in communities across the province and alleviate strain on the system that we currently face due to a shortage of primary health providers, an aging population and a high complexity of care.
NPs are highly skilled practitioners with advanced education that allows them to autonomously diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. NP practice provides a patient-centered approach that includes health promotion and patient education.
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For more information:
Karyn Whelan
Communications Specialist
kwhelan@rnunl.ca
691-0889