Primary Care Nurse Practitioners are part of a collaborative team; working closely with physicians and other health care professionals. In Ontario a Nurse Practitioner or RNEC (Registered Nurse in the Extended Class) are experienced registered nurses who have received additional training in assessing and diagnosing disease; ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests; performing specific procedures and prescribing pharmaceuticals within their legislated scope of practice. In addition Nurse Practitioners can provide patients with early interventions and wellness strategies thereby contributing to improved access to health services and a reduction in wait times.

The Nurse Practitioners Scope of Practice

As a member of the health care team Nurse Practitioners are authorized to:

• Order and interpret laboratory tests
• Order Ultrasounds, X-ray’s and ECG’s
• Perform comprehensive health history and physical examinations
• Identify the cause of a client’s symptoms
• Diagnose and treat illness and or injuries within their scope of authority
• Prescribe medications within their scope of authority
• Provide counseling and education for disease prevention or management
• Provide treatments and procedure
• Make referrals to family physicians, specialist and other health care professionals
• Assess and care for families across the lifespan
• Make referrals to support staff such as social workers, dieticians, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy etc.
• Manage stable chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure

When the Nurse Practitioner has encountered a situation out side their scope of practice the NP consults with his/her physician partner and together make the decision on how to best provide care.