Nurse Practitioner Role in Canada

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the implementation of the nurse practitioner's role in Canada. It discusses the expanded authority that the nurse practitioner has in relation to prescribing medications. The paper also looks at the health compliance of the nurse practitioner's patients compared to the physician's patients. The paper goes on to discusses a national perspective for the health system and nurse practitioners. Finally, it looks at how to fully utilize nurse practitioners in Ontario.

From the Paper:

"One barrier to nurse practitioner utilization would be implementing new organizational arrangements and re-allocating roles among medical and other health professionals. Another barrier consists of a lack of options for nurses and inadequate recognition of nursing knowledge and skills (CNA, 2001). For example, the role of nurse practitioners is restricted under existing nursing legislation, protocols or medical directives (Worster & Sarco, 2005). One problem opposing utilization of nurse practitioners in Canada relates to discrepancies in legislation, educational requirements, and clinical and legal responsibilities, all of which prevent implementation of the nurse practitioner role in many areas since the title of nurse practitioner has no universal definition (Worster & Sarco, 2005)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brady, M. & Neal, J. (2000). Role delineation study of pediatric nurse practitioners. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 14 (4), 149-159.
• Canadian Nurses Association (CAN) (2001). Optimizing the health of the health system: Brief to the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Accessed February 27, 2007. http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/romanow_brief_oct_31_e.pdf
• Chow, S. (2004). The growing trend of nurse practitioner roles. SRNA Newsbulletin, 5 (6), 24.
• College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) (2005). A health regulatory scan, 1-39. Accessed February 28, 2007. http://www.cno.org/policy/scans/2005/2005-12_EnviroScan.pdf
• Draye, M. & Brown, M. (2000). Surviving the proving ground: Lessons in change from NP Pioneers. The Nurse Practitioner, 25 (10), 60-71.

More papers on Nurse Practitioner Role in Canada:

• Term Paper # 103147 : "Nurse Practitioners"
• Research Paper # 72493 : "Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP)"
• Research Paper # 99790 : "Role of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner"

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