Nurse Practitioners can autonomously diagnose and treat health issues, order and review lab/diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and treatments, fill out extended health forms, and initiate referrals for patients to see other health care specialists.
 

In addition to providing excellent health care, NPs also work in a variety of other settings including management, education, research, advocacy and policy; NPs also work as part of quality improvement initiatives, manage health facilities, and collaborate as part of interdisciplinary teams to promote and coordinate health and wellness services.

Nurse Practitioners provide care to patients at all stages of life throughout their health care journey.
 

British Columbians may see a Nurse Practitioner in a clinic as their primary care provider, in a hospital or Urgent and Primary Care Centre, or in residential care services.
 

In BC, not all residents have access to a primary health care provider. For those interested in locating a Nurse Practitioner currently accepting patients, please visit the Pathways Medical Care Directory or sign up through the HealthLinkBC Health Connect Registry.
 

Please note that NNPBC is a professional association representing nurses and nurse practitioners in the province of BC, and as such does not employ nurses or nurse practitioners for providing medical care. If you require urgent medical attention, please visit your local emergency department or call 911. If you are seeking medical advice from a licensed professional but do not require urgent medical attention, please call 811.

Nurse Practitioners and doctors are different health professionals, but both are equally important to our health care system. While Nurse Practitioners and doctors both work directly with patients to provide excellent primary and specialized care and may work together as part of the same health care team, their practice is independent from one another.

NPs work in many settings including in acute, urgent, community, residential, long-term, pediatric, and surgical settings. NPs also work as primary care providers for many British Columbians, thus working as part of collaborative teams in interdisciplinary clinics and health centres, urgent and primary care centres, hospitals, mental health centres, and private clinics.
 

In addition to health care settings, NPs also work as educators, researchers, and as members of government, policy, and advocacy teams.

To find a Nurse Practitioner who is currently accepting patients, please visit the Pathways Medical Care Directory or sign up through the HealthLinkBC Health Connect Registry. As of July 2023, the Province is expanding the Health Connect Registry to connect British Columbians with primary care providers including Nurse Practitioners in all communities throughout BC.
 

Please note that NNPBC is a professional association representing nurses and nurse practitioners in BC, and as such does not employ nurses or nurse practitioners for providing medical care. If you require urgent medical attention, please visit your local emergency department or call 911. If you are seeking medical advice from a licensed professional but do not require urgent medical attention, please call 811.

• BC College of Nurses and Midwives: Nurse Practitioners - Learn about what NPs do and where they work
• HealthLinkBC: Health Connect Registry - Register to get matched with an NP or other primary care provider in your community
• HealthLinkBC: Find Services - Find health services in your area
• Pathways Medical Care Directory - Find NPs and other providers in communities across BC