Nurse Practitioner as a Career

This page provides an overview of the nurse practitioner (NP) role in long-term care (LTC) based on the information given to us by nurse practitioners in the field and the sources outlined below. The role of a nurse practitioner will vary based on the long-term care home and region in Ontario. For a more comprehensive picture of this role, visit the nurse practitioner association information links below. This page is part of our Careers in Long-Term Care Initiative.

What does a Nurse Practitioner in LTC do? 

NPs in long-term care offer an elevated level of patient care by diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic illnesses. They provide primary health care through screening, assessments, specialist referrals, and follow-up care. NPs order and interpret diagnostic tests and are responsible for their follow-up. In addition, they play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of care in LTC settings by offering ongoing chronic disease management, end-of-life care, and advocating for residents’ health and quality of life. NPs also provide leadership and mentorship to healthcare team members.

How do I become a Nurse Practitioner?

To become a Nurse Practitioner in Ontario, start by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. After obtaining the Bachelor’s degree, a registered nurse (RN) would need to acquire a minimum of two years of full-time clinical practice experience. Following this, you can become an NP through two predominant pathways. The first option involves an integrated Master’s/NP program; this blends both qualifications into a cohesive curriculum, offering a more expedited route to completion. The second option is a sequential approach where you first pursue a Master’s degree in nursing and then enroll in a post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate program. During your NP education, you’ll be required to choose a stream of focus, such as Adult NP or Primary Health Care NP.

Once you have finished your required education, you will need to take a certification exam in your chosen specialty. Following that, you must register with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in order to work as a nurse practitioner in the province.

Career Pathways

Nurse Practitioners in long-term care have lots of options for shaping their careers based on what they’re interested in. They can choose to specialize in areas like emergency care, cancer treatment (oncology), kidney health (nephrology), and heart health (cardiology). This means they can provide expert care to a wide range of people in LTC and acute care settings.

Besides resident care, NPs can also explore other exciting role, such as educating future healthcare workers or be involved in research that makes LTC better. Some might even become policy consultants, using their expertise to help create better policies for LTC homes.