Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement in recognition of National Nurse Practitioners’ Week, Nov. 12 to 18, 2023:

“This National Nurse Practitioners’ Week, we honour the critical role nurse practitioners play in delivering quality health care, improving patient outcomes and promoting the health and well-being of our communities throughout British Columbia. The contributions of nurse practitioners to our health-care system are invaluable.

“Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have completed a master’s-level nurse practitioner education that allows them to work as independent health practitioners. They have a comprehensive knowledge about a range of patient’s needs and treatments. As such, nurse practitioners are highly skilled professionals who can assess a patient’s health, prescribe medications, order and interpret tests, and make referrals to specialists.

“Our government is working with nurses to transform how health care is delivered in B.C., now and into the future. We greatly appreciate the contributions of our nurse practitioners who are valuable members of B.C.’s team-based primary-care strategy and are the primary-care providers of many patients in the province.

“That’s why since 2017, we have doubled the number of nurse practitioner registrations in British Columbia. There are 592 more nurse practitioners registered to practise in the province, from 418 in June 2017 to 1,010 in September 2023.

“We also continue to expand capacity to train nurse practitioners right here in B.C. In February 2022, we announced 602 new nursing seats in public post-secondary institutions throughout the province, 20 of which are nurse practitioner seats.

“As we celebrate nurse practitioners’ week, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated nurse practitioners throughout British Columbia. This week represents an opportunity to extend our gratitude and acknowledge the exceptional work of nurse practitioners who continue to make a real difference in the lives many people in B.C.”