Advanced Practice Nursing (APN), and more specifically the Nurse Practitioner, has traditionally been practiced in northern parts of Canada. Nurses would take courses to advance their skills or they would learn on-the-job. Recently (in the last decade), legislation has been implemented to allow nurses with advanced education (Masters of Nursing in Advanced Practice) to practice in a Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Practice role in settings other than northern communities. 

What can a Nurse Practitioner do? In most provinces in Canada, legislated Nurse Practitioners are able to diagnose and manage many disorders and chronic diseases, prescribe medications for you, order diagnostics, and refer you to specialists if needed. They are able to do complete physicals, and medicals required for most third party companies, and care for you during your pregnancy and after you deliver. They see many clients with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, osteoarthritis, and mental health concerns. They also see patients when they are acutely ill such as in Emergency Departments or in Critical Care units. In primary care settings, Nurse Practitioners are able to see you the same day if you have an earache, sore throat, or other condition that is keeping your from work or school. Some Nurse Practitioners are also able to perform minor surgical procedures. Please call your provincial nursing regulatory body  or your regional health authority to locate a Nurse Practitioner in your area.

As it stands today (2009), nearly all provinces and territories have legislation that allows Nurse Practitioners to practice to their full scope.

Provinces and Territories vary on what type of legislation they have in place for NPs. The newly developed Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam (CNPE) is one step toward national recognition of the Nurse Practitioner  however, not all provinces require this exam for entry to practice. For further details on what requirements are needed for entry to practice in the various provinces/territories click here.

NPCanada.ca is a website designed to provide a forum for discussion of issues related to Advanced Practice Nursing in Canada. Although there are many NP sites on the internet, most are American or from the UK. These resources are excellent, but practicing as an NP in Canada is very different. Legal, education and practice issues in the UK or US are unlike those encountered here in Canada. With the ability to share ideas and information on these issues, it is hoped that the profession of Advanced Practice Nursing will be promoted in Canada.


Donna Alden-Bugden, NP, MN, DNP-Student
Family Nurse Practitioner
Donna(at)NPCanada.ca

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