Nurse Practitioner Week – the Power of Nusing by Steve Bond, BScPhm,
me about the positive relationship they have with their doctors. Another group is an integral part of primary care — nurse practitioners! National Nurse Practitioner Week is celebrated each November, and this year it takes place November 10-16. Nurse practitioners (NP) are registered nurses with advanced graduate-level education. They must have at least two years of clinical practice as nurses (although according to a 2012 study, the average is 17 years). They must then complete an intensive master’s program that focuses on advanced health assessment, and over 1000 hours of placements to fine-tune their skills. NPs are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat an entire range of health conditions. They utilize sound clinical judgement and an evidence- based approach to prevent, manage, and treat illnesses. They work collaboratively with doctors and other health professionals such as physiotherapists, social workers, and pharmacists. Now, I am old enough to remember when, in 1997, NPs were first regulated. (My kids think I am old enough to remember Hippocrates). At that time, the role of the NP was limited; they could only prescribe a small list of medications for specific conditions. This was a waste of their training, skills, and experience. Since those days, I am happy to say the role of the nurse practitioner has evolved. Just this year, changes in Ontario allow NPs to perform more advanced medical procedures and tests, such as ordering a defibrillator and certifying deaths. Nurse Practitioners are valued members of our primary care teams. Often, I hear from patients about how much their lives have improved since meeting “their” nurse practitioner. (Yes, they like them so much that they become possessive!) The admiration for NPs could fill an entire month, but for now, a week will do. Happy National Nurse Practitioner Week! When Seconds Matter ... Your Gift Counts.
YRPh, CDE, FASCP Yurek Pharmacy & Home Healthcare
I am a strong advocate for our com- munity, and proud to live and work in St. Thomas. Our community has plenty to offer - amazing people,
Hometown St. Thomas Geoffrey Rae Managing Editor / Sales Geoff@villagerpublications.com • 519-495-7177 All articles written by Geoff Rae unless otherwise noted. Copy Editor – Peter Bloch-Hansen Publisher – Barb Botten barb@villagerpublications.com Graphic Artist – Cathy Wood Copyright @ 2015 Villager Publications. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Publisher. Information presented has been compiled from sources believed to be accurate at the time of printing however the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. incredible parks, and a variety of events and festivals. We have top-notch healthcare. Our hospital is ranked highly for patient experience and efficiency; our public health is proactive and engaging, and our primary care practitioners are dedicated and adored. When I speak about primary care, people often tell
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Hometown St. Thomas • November 2025 • Page 33
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