National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Transforming the Future: Excellence Through Innovation Chicago, Illinois April 2005

Nurse Practitioner Education in Canada: Transforming the Future Suzanne Doucette, RN, BScN, MHA University of Ottawa Elsie Duff, RN, BScN, MEd, University of Manitoba Esther Sangster-Gormley MS, ARNP University of New Brunswick April 2005

3 Thank you o NONPF o Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) o Fellow members of the CASN Taskforce on Primary Health Care/Nurse Practitioner Education

4 Objectives o Evolution of Canadian NP programs o Scope of practice differences between NPs in the US & Canada o Role similarities in the US & Canada

5 Education Evolution Entry requirementsRN diploma - Masters Degree Credentials grantedPost-diploma certificate Post-baccalaureate certificate Post-masters certificate Masters degree Program length12 – 24 months Practice hours370 – 927 hours ContentPrimary health care Acute care DeliveryFace to face Distance

6 Legislation Evolution o Varies across the 10 provinces & 3 territories Absence of a common title NP RN/NP RN(EC) (extended class) RN(EP) (extended practice) Title protection versus title designation o Not all provinces & territories have legislation

7 Regulation Evolution o Under the authority of the College of RNs for each province or territory Generally falls under amendments to the RN or Health & Professions act for each province or territory o Inconsistencies across Canada

8 Recognizing Similarities o Advanced nursing role (autonomous) o Advanced competencies of Assessment Diagnosis Treatment & Management o Client Focus Individual, Family & Community

9 Appreciating differences o Educational variation o Practice environment Rural and remote areas o One payer system Socialized Health Care o Primary health care (PHC) framework

10 Principles of primary health care o Accessibility to everyone regardless of income, culture, gender, age, etc. o Appropriate use of technology o Emphasis on health promotion, prevention, & chronic diseases management

11 Principles of primary health care o Intersectoral collaboration (other sectors outside of health care) o Coordination & integration of health services o Public participation

12 New initiatives o PHC transition funding o First Nations Inuit Health Branch o CNA-Canadian NP Initiative o NP competencies and national exam

13 Challenges o Practice sites o NP faculty o Preceptors o Interprofessional education o Affiliation with NONPF

14 Practice site o Competition for sites with family medicine residents o Different role requirements for rural, remote & urban settings o Limited appropriate clinical sites o Common National NP competencies not implemented o No common core curriculum outcomes

15 NP Faculty o Limited number of PhD NP Faculty o Limited number of NP Masters clinical instructors

16 Preceptors o In some Provinces limited number of NP preceptors available o Reimbursement of Physicians o Recognize the contribution of clinical preceptors; joint appointments, thank you letters, sponsored educational seminars

17 Interprofessional Education o Increasing emphasis by Govts to support Interprofessional Education o Pilot projects being funded in a number of provinces

18 Affiliation with NONPF o Exploring a possible Canadian NP Faculty affiliation with NONPF through Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing o Small numbers of NP Faculty & NP programs