Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner

Endorsed by CNSA in January, 2009

WHEREAS we the student nurses of the CNSA Ontario Regional Executive feel that is of utmost importance that Nurse Practitioners of all types, including the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP) are trained at the master’s level to set a measurable and attainable standard that must be met in order to ensure that patients are provided with the appropriate care and safety.

Rationale: “Our concern is for the safety of the public, if nurses are extending their role into areas historically considered to be within the boundaries of medicine and beyond, then we consider that a formal preparation at the Master’s level is a minimum requirement for safe practice” (Gibbon, Luker. 1995). The masters program should be a minimum standard to begin practicing as a Nurse Practitioner in any discipline; the School of Nursing at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD has developed their Masters program based of four objectives. The second objective outlined in an article written by Vessey & Morrison (1997) is to standardize the educational requirements. Meaning that no matter where you are trained whether it be Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, or British Columbia all NP should be Masters level trained.

WHEREAS the availability of training to the average individual will depend upon government funding and support to ensure that programs can run, and fees are reasonable for all interested.

Rationale: Without government support and funding, programs will not be able to run, nor will people be able to afford them. Some students in the United States wishing to pursue a Master’s level NP cannot due to lack of funding and/or support.

WHEREAS the current crises in Canada with regards to Primary Health Care is a large issue that PHCNPs can be utilized to help fix.

Rationale: Currently the Nurse Practitioner Lead Clinic in Sudbury has provided primary care to approximately 5 000 people in the Sudbury area with another clinic set to open which will provide even more help. The Algoma Health Unit estimates that there are currently 14 000 people in Sault Ste Marie without primary health care. Having more NPs come through a masters program and trained at that level will help alleviate the primary care provider shortage that not only Sault Ste Marie is experiencing but the province as well. CNA projects a shortfall of 118 000 nurses by 2016.

WHEREAS, should Ontario set a precedence such as this, that it is quite possible that other provinces will follow through with the same actions.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the CNSA take a National standpoint on this issue and support master’s level education of all advanced practice nurses in Canada, including the PHCNP

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CNSA recognize the Primary Health Care issues we are facing in this country, and the support that can be contributed by PHCNPs to help address the current state of our Primary Health Care.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event that the topic becomes public knowledge and that governments begin to cut funding and stop supporting these programs that the CNSA will institute appropriate measures to ensure the voice of students nationwide are heard with regards to their support for these advanced practice roles.

SUBMITTED BY:

Kayla Drouillard, OD, University of Windsor

Mathew Wilson, AD, Sault College

Tyler Kuhk, ORD, Lakehead University/Confederation College

References

Gibbon, B., & Luker, K. A. (1995). Uncharted territory: Masters preparation as a foundation for nurse clinicians. Nurse Education Today 15, 164-169. Retrieved January 5, 2009 from Ebscohost database

Vessey, J. A., & Morrison, C. (1997). A missed opportunity: Master’s education for Certified Nurse Practitioners. Jounal of Professional Nursing 13(5), 228-293 Retrieved January 9, 2009 from Ebscohost database