Nurse Practitioners

The Role of the Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioner Model at Southlake
Nurse Practitioners at Southlake
Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

The Role of the Nurse Practitioner

A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse (RN) with advanced university education and experience who provides personalized, quality health care to patients. Nurse Practitioners are also regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in the extended class RN(EC). Ensuring quality nursing care is the mandate of the CNO in order to protect the public’s right. The CNO has specific criteria that must be met to register as a Nurse Practitioner and these standards of practice must be maintained.

At Southlake, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) provide clinical leadership through patient advocacy, promoting health and wellness of individuals and their families, and by putting patients first. NPs coordinate patient care and provide treatment in collaboration with physicians, other nurses, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals. NPs provide comprehensive nursing services which include health promotion, disease and injury prevention, treatment, cure, rehabilitation and patient support.

To learn more about the role of a Nurse Practitioner, please view the following links:

Health Force Ontario
Video - Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario
Pamphlet – Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario

Top

Nurse Practitioner Model at Southlake

Top

Nurse Practitioners at Southlake

Top

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Currently, there are three NP specialties in Ontario: Primary Health Care (PHC), Adult, and Pediatric.

1. Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners (PHCNP) generally work in the community or outpatient setting and provide general primary health care services to individuals of all ages.
2. Adult and Pediatric Nurse Practitioners - Adult and Pediatric NPs generally work in a hospital setting within a specialty service and provide care to patients with specific health conditions.

In the near future, there will be a new NP specialty in Anesthesia introduced into Ontario’s Health Care System.

At Southlake, Primary Health Care and Adult NPs are part of the Southlake team.

How do I become an NP-Adult, NP-Pediatric, or a PHCNP?
To be eligible to write the extended class registration exam for adult and pediatric NPs, nurses must first graduate from a CNO approved education program. Upon successful completion of the exam, you can the be a part of the RN Extended Class and use the protected title RN(EC).

There are two approved Pediatric NP programs in Ontario:

- Neo-natal Nurse Practitioner Program, delivered at McMaster University.
- Child (& Adult) Nurse Practitioner Program, delivered at the University of Toronto.

There is also one approved Adult Nurse Practitioner Program delivered at the University of Toronto.

To find out more about becoming a PHCNP and programs offered in Ontario, visit the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario website.

How do I apply for an NP position at Southlake?

The Hospital’s Human Resources Department manages all information relating to staff positions and career opportunities. For detailed information on available positions, how to forward a resume or to complete a job application, please click here.

Top