While many people believe Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are relatively new to the Ontario health care scene, they have been providing exemplary care to patients for over 40 years. As this year marks the fortieth anniversary of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO), it’s fitting to look back and remember where we came from and where we are now.
The seventies were a time of great need in Ontario in terms of access to healthcare. Many northern and remote areas struggled to find physicians. NPs were already integrated in the American health care system at that time, and were known to be highly effective at improving access for vulnerable patients and improving health outcomes. Using the model of the NP as a physician replacement, the role of the NP in Ontario was enabled to expand the scope of practice of Registered Nurses to provide care in these remote and under-serviced communities, as well as in pediatric intensive care units.
For complete story:Â http://hospitalnews.com/role-nurse-practitioner-ontario/
