Advent of nurse practitioners a bright spot in a grim situation

(Advent of nurse practitioners a bright spot in a grim situation
June 14, 2008

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Megan Ogilvie
Experts agree few advances in Canada's nursing situation have been made since the Romanow report was released more than five years ago. But one bright spot is the increase in both the numbers of nurse practitioners and their scope of practice.

Ontario especially has committed to bringing nurse practitioners into the health-care system and just this year promised to fund 25 nurse practitioner-led clinics in the province. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with additional education in health assessment and diagnosis and who have legislative authority to treat common illnesses, order tests and prescribe drugs for patients.

Sudbury already has their clinic up and running – the first in Canada – and three more, including one in Sault Ste. Marie, will open this year. The province hopes the clinics will help get care to the 850,000 Ontarians without a family doctor.)
http://healthzone.ca/health/article/443435


We dont need a doctor to get a flu shot or for a bad cold

Or to get blood pressure checked or to get an earache looked at...or to get a refill of your prescription that you have been taking for 20 years.

Or to get a sore throat swabbed and checked and antibiotics prescribed. I am sure that a nurse could also do Pap smear tests and listen to lungs for congestion and listen to hearts. A nurse could write and sign all those letters you need for sports or school or work. A nurse could do prenatal checkups.
Some could even do stitches! Why not?

I think there has been a long history of treating doctors as all-knowing and omnipotent. Just like the priests in ancient times who were the only ones who could read and write. I would have no problem having a nurse practitioner do all of the above. And more. I bet they could also assist at the normal delivery of babies!