"A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced university education who provides personalized, quality health care to patients. Ontario nurse practitioners provide a full range of health care services to individuals, families and communities in a variety of settings including hospitals and community based clinics in cities and smaller towns in Ontario. We work in partnership with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals such as social workers, midwives, mental health professionals and pharmacists to keep you, your family and your community well." (NPAO, 2020)
"Nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, treat and monitor a wide range of health problems using an evidence based approach to their practice. They consult and collaborate with physicians and other health care professionals to meet the needs of the patient population. Chronic disease management, health promotion and illness prevention, as well as helping patients navigate through the health care system are integral to their approach to patient care. Engaging patients as full partners in their care plan with attention to self-care to the extent that patients are willing and able to participate is an important aspect of the underlying philosophy of NPLCs. In addition, nurse practitioners are experts in community health care needs assessment and program planning, implementation and evaluation. These programs are targeted to specific health care needs identified in collaboration with their communities." (NPAO, 2020)
In Ontario, Nurse Practitioners are able to do the following:
Complete a comprehensive health history and assessment;
Formulate and communicate a diagnosis (and differential diagnoses);
Prescribe ALL medications, including controlled drugs and substances;
Dispense, sell, and compound medications;
Set and cast fractures and dislocated joints;
Order and interpret all laboratory tests;
Admit, treat and discharge patients from hospitals; and
Order Diagnostic imaging tests, such as MRI/CT/Ultrasound/X-ray etc.
This information was obtained directly from: https://npao.org/about-npao/what-is-a-np/