FAQs ABOUT THE NURSE PRACTITIONER

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• What is a Nurse Practitioner?

NPs in Alberta are experienced registered nurses who have completed a Master’s (MN:NP) or Doctorate degree (DNP) in the area of primary care/family practice. 

 

Nurse practitioners integrate in-depth knowledge of advanced nursing practice and theory, health management, health promotion, and disease/injury prevention, to provide a wide range of health care services. They are able to provide care to clients of any age.

 

Nurse practitioners are completely independent health professionals and require no outside supervision of their practice. Their care is grounded in professional, ethical and legal standards set down by the Alberta Health Professions Act and regulated through the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) . 

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• What can a Nurse Practitioner do?

Nurse Practitioners are independent primary care providers who can provide comprehensive health assessments, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses, order and interpret laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic investigations, prescribe medications, and perform a wide range of medical procedures, including suturing, IUD insertion and removal, wound care, and minor office procedures. NPs can also manage chronic diseases, provide preventive and mental health care, prescribe and adjust treatment, and refer patients directly to specialists and other health-care professionals when required.

 

In Alberta, Nurse Practitioners practise autonomously and do not require physician supervision. They can serve as a patient's primary care provider and independently manage their care from assessment and diagnosis through investigation, treatment, prescribing, follow-up, and specialist referral.

 

In practical terms, the scope of practice of a Family/All-Ages Nurse Practitioner in Alberta is de facto the same as that of a family physician for the provision of comprehensive primary care. The two professions have different educational and regulatory pathways, but patients can see either a family nurse practitioner or a family physician for the same full range of primary care services.

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• Who can register with the Nurse Practitioner?

Anyone wishing to do so, may register with the NP. All patients of CRMC are able to access the services offered by the NPs at this clinic. Our NPs will generally see you on the same day.

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• I do not wish to register with a Nurse Practitioner but I need to be seen on a walk-in basis and no physician is available; does the NP offer walk-in consultations?

Yes! The NP can see you on a walk-in basis. Even if you are registered with one of the physicians at this clinic, but no slot is available with your physician and you require to be seen the same day, you will be able to see the NP instead. If hold an Alberta Health card and are insured under the AHCIP, the service is free of charge.

 

If you are not insured under the AHCIP because you are a long/short term visitor to Canada or you are visiting from Quebec or you are uninsured for any other reason, a fee will apply when you see the NP.​​​