Submitted by Bev Houk RN(NP), SANP Education Chair

The 2011 Canadian Association of Advanced Practice Nurses (CAAPN) Conference was held on September 28-30, 2011 in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. The conference title, “Diversity in Advanced Practice Nursing: Boundless Horizons”, celebrated the variety of practice environments and embraced the Saskatchewan wide open skies as a metaphor for the world of possibilities for advanced practice nurses. The conference theme showcased the interrelatedness of the four domains of nursing: leadership, education, practice and research. 160 nurses from across Canada, the USA  and Austrailia attended  the conference.

by Debbie Bathgate RN(NP)

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) today launched a campaign to educate Canadians that Nurse Practitioners (NP's) can improve access to primary healthcare. This campaign supports SANP's vision “A nurse practitioner available to all residents of Saskatchewan.”

NPs Contribute to PHC Redesign in Saskatchewan             

by Debbie Bathgate RN(NP)

 Beginning with the Patient First Review evidence in January 2011, Saskatchewan Health used grass roots and intersectoral participation to create an innovative framework for Primary Health Care (PHC) Redesign.  “NPs had a significant representation in the process,” said Vikki Smart RN, Primary Care Manager, Saskatoon Health Region, “and managers facilitated NP participation as leaders.”  Lynn Digney Davis RN(NP), Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health, said, “NPs were invited to and attended every session at each level (of development of the PHC Redesign framework).  There was a concerted effort to have NPs in particular, among other providers, well represented at all levels.”  As Dr. Marlene Smadu RN, Co-chair, explained, “These levels of framework design included multiple community consultation focus groups, on line forums, and 3 sets of syntegration** meetings.  The aim was to hear appropriate and articulate voices at each table.”

October 14, 2011: Specialists Receive Equitable Remuneration for NP Referral

We are pleased to announce that all referrals to physician specialists by Nurse Practitioners will generate equal remuneration starting immediately.  The Saskatchewan Gazette announced on Sept. 16, 2011 that The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Payment Amendment Regulations, 2011 were amended to include registered nurses who are entitled pursuant to The Registered Nurses Act, 1988 Amended 2003 to practice in the nurse practitioner category”.