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To coincide with National Nursing Week, the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union released the findings of a year-long research project on May 7. The sweeping report, titled Nursing Potential – Optimizing Nursing and Primary Healthcare in Nova Scotia, examines how nurses can work to their full scope of practice while helping to build better access to care across the system.
Recognizing that Nova Scotia has the highest burden of chronic disease in the country and high wait times for primary and emergency care, and understanding that a highly-functioning primary healthcare system has the ability to alleviate systemic pressures, the NSNU embarked on a study to identify strategies to build a robust primary healthcare system, making optimal use of nurses’ advanced skills and education.
The authors, NSNU staffers Paul Curry and Justin Hiltz, and NSNU member Ashley Buckle conducted surveys, focus groups, a literature review and had many conversations with key informants, the public and nurses regarding how to improve access to care across sectors. Our members and other experts in the field told us that including more nurses in areas of care where they are underutilized, and enabling nurses to work more fully to their scope of practice, will result in better outcomes for patients.
In addition, nurses on the front lines of care said patients need a system that addresses the social determinants of health while providing preventative care, chronic disease management, and health education, reducing the need for emergency and hospital care – all of which can be achieved through primary healthcare mechanisms.
The Nurses’ Union believes that with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners practicing to their full potential, the public benefits more from nurses’ expertise and care. True reform requires a re-imagining of the system. It should be proactive and preventative, based on collaboration, providing care when and where people need it. When we recognize nurses’ potential, we will improve access and provide better care.
The 127-page report contains 35 recommendations, guiding principles on how to increase access, optimize scopes, and provide holistic, collaborative care with nurses playing an integral part in the solution. The report breaks the recommendations into four categories – system dysfunction, system design, education, and work-life and workforce.
Thank you to all who took the time to participate in surveys, focus groups or acted as consultants on the project. NSNU locals will be receiving copies of the book, which can also be accessed online at nsnu.ca/NursingPotential.
