Posted on: November 16, 2022
British Columbia began licensing NPs in 2005 as part of Primary Health Care Reform and in just 16 years on Vancouver Island, the NP community has grown to over 120 NPs, ensuring patients have more access to primary care providers.
74 NPs are employed by Island Health and work up and down our beautiful Island - in Port Hardy, Gold River, Sayward, Quadra Island, Campbell River, Courtenay, Port Alberni, Parksville, Lantzville, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan, Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Mill Bay, Saanichton, Salt Spring Island, Mayne Island, Pender Island, and Galiano Island.
Approximately 50 NPs hold PCN NP Contracts and work mostly in non profit NP Primary Care Clinics located in Qualicum, Nanaimo and Victoria and in various other Primary Medical Homes and Community Health Centres spread across Vancouver Island PCNs. Island Health is also proud to offer contract positions for NPs at our Victoria UPCCs.
Nurse Practitioners provide comprehensive team-based clinical care including the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic disease/illness, prescribing medications, ordering/interpreting laboratory/diagnostic tests, and initiating referrals to specialists.
NPs provide care in primary care, seniors, long term care, youth services, MHSU, acute cardiac and ambulatory movement disorder settings.
“We celebrate the invaluable contributions of nurse practitioners to our public health-care system," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "Their role is pivotal in delivering primary, acute and specialty care for British Columbians.
“Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have completed a master's level nurse practitioner education that allows them to work as independent health practitioners. They have a comprehensive knowledge about a range of patient's needs and treatments. As such, nurse practitioners are highly skilled professionals who can assess a patient's health, prescribe medications, order and interpret tests, and make referrals to specialists.
“Throughout the many challenges faced by our health-care system in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the toxic drug crisis, nurse practitioners have proudly continued to provide quality care to people throughout our province. I thank them for their dedication, commitment to their patients and the collaborative role they serve in our health system and communities."
Minister Dix said as of July 2022, 200 full-time-equivalent nurse practitioners have been recruited as patients' primary care providers in support of B.C.'s team-based primary and community care strategy.
“In February 2022, we announced 602 new nursing seats in public post-secondary institutions throughout the province, 20 of which are nurse practitioner seats. Since 2017, our ongoing training and recruitment strategies have led the number of nurse practitioners who are licensed to practise in the province to increase from 414 to 820, which represents nearly a doubling of the workforce.
“Nurse practitioners have been a strong pillar in the delivery of primary care in B.C. As we celebrate nurse practitioners' week, I wish to recognize them for not only their skills and exceptional care they provide, but also their hard work and resilience to help British Columbians be well and healthy. My sincere thanks again to B.C.'s nurse practitioners for everything they do."
If you haven't had an opportunity to speak with a nurse practitioner in your area about their role, we encourage you to do so.
Happy Nurse Practitioners Week to all the NPs in our region.