Expanding Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Is Not Limited to Just the United States

Over the weekend, Cory Hurley, reporting for The Western Star, detailed the continued progress of the Canadian Nurses Association campaign to raise awareness about how nurse practitioners can improve access to quality health care and reduce wait times. With long wait times being one of the most significant issues of the Canadian healthcare system, nurse practitioners can serve an integral role in meeting the needs of Canadian citizens throughout the 21st century.

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National Council of State Boards of Nursing Extends Electronic Licensure Exam to Canada

Last week, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) announced that the NCLEX-RN® Examination, a RN licensure exam used in foreign countries for the purpose of domestic licensure in the United States, was chosen by ten provincial nurse regulatory bodies in Canada. The adoption of this electronic exam in Canada has the potential to drastically change the nursing workforce in both Canada and the United States, as nurses would technically be licensed to work as a RN in either country. In response, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has expressed disappoint with the choice made by the provincial regulatory bodies as they fear that many qualified Canadian nurses may be lured by the promise of higher paying positions in the United States. Additionally, the CNA fears that licensure content specific to Canada may be excluded from the exam and thus, lower the quality of care in Canadian healthcare facilities.

Click here to read the NCSBN's press release.

Click here to read the CNA's response.