Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Your Health Team

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses (RNs) with graduate degrees and advanced knowledge and skills. They are trained to assess, diagnose, treat, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, make referrals to specialists and manage overall care. Nurse practitioners often work closely with physicians and other health professions as part of a team. Some NPs work independently and manage their own clinics.

What Do Nurse Practitioners Do?

• Holistically identify issues affecting a patient’s health and quality of life
• Diagnose and treat common health conditions
• Diagnose and treat minor injuries
• Order and interpret laboratory tests
• Prescribe drugs
• Make referrals to specialists
• Can act as a primary care provider

Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work?

• Family Care Clinics (FCC)
• Primary Care Networks (PCN)
• Community and/or specialty clinics
• Home care
• Hospital or health care centre
• Long-term care facility
• Emergency department
• Cancer care

Nurse Practitioners at AHS

Alberta Health Services employs over 400 nurse practitioners.

Other nursing professions:

• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)

What Are the Credentials for a Nurse Practitioner?

• Master’s degree in nursing, some hold a doctorate
• At least 4,500 hours of clinical registered nursing practice
• Registered with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) - Nurse Practitioners

Related Resources

• Job opportunities at AHS
• More about a career as a Nurse Practitioner
• What is a Nurse Practitioner?
• College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta
• Canadian Nurses Association