As Manitoba marked the first Nurse Practitioner Day in the province, the ministers of health and of education and advanced learning announced the creation of almost 30 newly funded positions and a new grant to help hire more nurse practitioners and improve patient care for families.
“With their high level of training and skills, the role of nurse practitioners has expanded taking pressures off the medical system and making the system more efficient overall,” said Health Minister Erin Selby. “Today we acknowledge and celebrate the important contributions nurse practitioners and all nurses are making in our communities.”
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a master’s level education and clinical experience that allows them to diagnose illnesses, treat conditions, prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests.
Almost 30 newly funded nurse practitioner positions will be introduced by 2015 as a part of the province’s plan to ensure all Manitobans have access to a family doctor, with more positions to come, she said.
The province has also created a Nurse Practitioner Education Grant, which will cover the cost of tuition in exchange for one year’s return of service working as a nurse practitioner in a rural community after graduation. Applications are now being accepted. Students are eligible for a one time grant of up to $10,000.
“We can see the value nurse practitioners are adding to our health-care system and these new grants will help move more people into these jobs and give them a good career here at home, while providing a very important service for Manitoba families” said Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum.
Earlier this year, the role of nurse practitioners in the delivery of health care to Manitobans was expanded to allow them to authorize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests independently and legislation was introduced to allow them to admit patients to hospitals.
“Today is a very important day for nurse practitioners in Manitoba. Having the opportunity to celebrate our contributions is very exciting,” said Brenda Dawyduk, president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba and Manitoba’s first nurse practitioner. “Nurse practitioners have been legislated in Manitoba and caring for patients since 2005 and will continue to be committed to provide quality care to all. These new funded positions will help Manitobans get the care they need.”
Close to 120 nurse practitioners work in various areas of health care across the province including hospitals, QuickCare clinics, primary-care clinics and personal care homes.
Each year, Nov. 18 will be recognized as Nurse Practitioner Day in Manitoba.
More information on the new grant is available online.
