The New Brunswick Nurses Union is applauding the addition of more nurse practitioners to the health care system.
On Monday, the province announced 32 nurse practitioners will be hired to work in emergency departments and new clinics.
Paula Doucet, president of the union, described it as a step in the right direction.
“Hopefully it continues in the future that we look at the utilization of nurse practitioners as primary health care providers where we know many New Brunswickers are without a primary health care provider currently,” said Doucet.
Eight nurse practitioners will be available to treat lowest urgency cases at the hospitals in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton. Six others will be placed at other locations to be determined by the regional health authorities.
The remaining 18 nurse practitioners will work in clinics to be established in Fredericton and Saint John, and at the previously-established pilot project clinic in Moncton.
“We did partner with the Nurses Association [of New Brunswick] pre-election of the fall of 2018, actually asking for government to look at the feasibility and possibility of having nurse practitioner-led clinics throughout the province,” said Doucet.
Doucet said nurse practitioners have not historically been utilized to their full potential, and she wants to see that change.
“They assess and diagnose and put a plan in place for the clientele and the patients that they see. They’re able to also consult with other specialists and order tests,” she said.
The province said recruitment for the nurse practitioners will begin immediately.
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