Who are nurse practitioners? What do they do?
In Ontario, Registered Nurses in the Extended Class, also known as Nurse Practitioners (NPs), are registered nurses with additional education and experience who are able to order and interpret diagnostic tests, communicate diagnoses, prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform specific procedures. NPs practice nursing, the goal of which is to restore, maintain and advance the health of individuals, groups or communities. NPs use a holistic approach, grounded in research. They emphasize health promotion as well as illness/injury prevention and complement rather than replace the care delivered by other health providers. In addition to providing a wide range of health care services to patients, NPs also help patients to access other health and social services that they may require. NPs work collaboratively with many other health professionals. In particular, they consult with physicians, as required by the needs of their patients. As of August 2007, the title Nurse Practitioner became a protect
