Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners are nurses who have advanced academic and clinical experience. Their special training allows them to do many of the tasks traditionally reserved for medical doctors, such as the diagnosis and management of common illnesses.

Working in collaboration with doctors, or as part of an interdisciplinary health team, Nurse Practitioners provides health care services related to health assessment, health promotion and prevention of Illness and Injury.

An Exciting Field of Work

In general, Nurse Practitioners:

• Provide comprehensive health assessment
• Diagnose health problems
• Treat and manage acute and chronic illness
• Order and interpret screening and diagnostic tests
• Communicate with clients about health assessment findings and diagnoses
• Perform procedures and prescribe medications
• Counsel clients on symptom management and health maintenance
• Work in collaboration or in consultation with other health care providers to provide safe, high quality health care services
• Refer clients to medical specialists or other health care professionals as needed
• Design or participate in initiatives to promote healthy living
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies to promote health and prevent illness and injury
• Collaborate in the development of health public policy

Personal Characteristics / Skills

• A genuine interest in helping others
• Patience, compassion and emotional maturity
• Well organized
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to make decisions quickly, especially in stressful situation
• Physical fitness and stamina
• Ability to work alone or in a collaborative team

Education and Training

A bachelor’s degree in nursing followed by a master’s degree in nursing is required.

Education program offered in New Brunswick

Nursing programs are offered in New Brunswick by the following educational institutions:

• University of New Brunswick  – English program
• Université de Moncton  – French program

Length of Study / Training

6.0 years

Licence and certification

In New Brunswick, Nurse Practitioners must be registered with the Nurses Association of New Brunswick and pass the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam.

Helpful High School Courses

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Math

Employment and Common Working Conditions

Nurse Practitioners work in a variety of settings, such as:

• Community health centres 
• Family practice
• Clinics
• Emergency Rooms
• Nursing Homes
• Hospitals

Nurse Practitioners work in a variety of health care settings. Depending on where they are employed, they may work shifts that include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays or be on call.

Employment Prospects - GOOD

With our aging population, the demand for Nurse Practitioners will likely grow.