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Manitoba Government Marks Third Annual Nurse Practitioner Day

Manitoba is now home to nearly 150 nurse practitioners, up from just four 10 years ago, who provide essential health services to Manitobans across the province including in rural and northern communities,Health Minister Sharon Blady announced today to mark the third annual Nurse Practitioner Day in Manitoba.

“Nurse practitioners provide vital front-line health-care services in community, acute and long-term care settings across the province, and are key members of inter-professional and team-based primary care practices,” said Minister Blady.  “Hiring more nurse practitioners and providing them with the means to pursue their education continues to be a priority for our government.”

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a master’s level education and clinical experience that qualifies them to diagnose illnesses, treat certain conditions, prescribe medications, administer immunizations and order diagnostic tests.

“It is an honour and pleasure to serve the people of Manitoba.  Manitobans are clearly saying that nurse practitioners bring great value to health care,” said Sheri McPhee, president-elect,Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba.  “Nurse practitioners provide high-quality management of chronic illness, improve access to primary care, and are valued and trusted by patients as we involve them in decisions about their care and offer team work with other health-care providers.”

The minister said that nurse practitioners who work in Manitoba have a broader range and scope of practice than they do in other provinces and provide direct care to people of all ages, families, groups and communities. 

“Nurse practitioners have been key players in helping us meet our commitment that Manitobans will have access to good-quality primary care,” said Minister Blady.  “I know that some people want to see a family doctor, but others are happier and more comfortable seeing a nurse practitioner for their care.  I believe that giving Manitobans that option is very important.”

In recent years, the Manitoba government has made several investments to develop a more sustainable health-care system including the launch of five QuickCare clinics and two mobile clinics led by nurse practitioners.  The minister said that nurse practitioners are central to the success of these and other new primary care clinics across Manitoba, including access centres and working on My Health Teams, and they also provide important health-care services across the continuum of care including settings such as emergency departments, personal care homes and remote nursing stations.