Nurse Practitioner – Medicine

Nurse Practitioners (NP’s) are Advanced Practice Nurses who have achieved additional education and competencies required for NP licensure in Alberta. The NP uses an evidence-informed, holistic approach that emphasizes the nursing professions values, knowledge, theories and practice (CRNA, 2005). The NP role requires greater breadth, depth and complexity of application of nursing knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment, and the performance of additional activities beyond registered nursing practice (CRNA, 2005). In their practice, the NP role includes, but is not limited to, diagnosing and managing common and complex health conditions; promoting health and preventing illness/injury; ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests; prescribing pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other therapies; and performing procedures, interventions and/or treatments. The standards and values of the nursing profession provide the foundation for the NP role (CNA, 2010). The NP performs restricted activities and provides care within their scope of practice and defined by Schedule 24 of the Health Profession Act, the Registered Nurses Profession Regulations, and the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA). The nursing activities performed are determined by legislation, standards of care outlines by CRNA, Covenant Health policy, educational preparation, practice setting, patient need, and competency of the NP. This position is non-unionized.