Statement from Minister McPhee on National Nurse Practitioner Week

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:

“This week marks National Nurse Practitioner Week, a time to recognize the essential role nurse practitioners play in the Yukon and across Canada.

“Nurse practitioners are crucial front-line workers who demonstrate unwavering commitment to the health of Yukoners every day. With their advanced practice abilities, skills and compassion, they ensure our communities receive the comprehensive and patient-centered care they need and deserve.

"Our government recognizes and values the significant contributions nurse practitioners make in enhancing health outcomes for all Yukoners. We are committed to supporting them by remaining competitive with the evolving labour market and offering meaningful opportunities for professional growth.

“We recently modernized the Registered Nurses Profession Regulation to make it easier for nurse practitioners to work in the territory. This updated legislation provides more flexibility and fewer restrictions on the types of medications nurse practitioners can prescribe, allowing them to better meet patients' needs.

“The ongoing recruitment of nurse practitioners and the expansion of their scope of practice are integral to our vision for health system transformation. These efforts aim to expand primary care options and foster a collaborative patient-focused system.

“As of October 30, 2024, there are a total of 16 nurse practitioners employed within Health and Social Services. In the past year we have recruited two nurse practitioners at the Walk-in Clinic, two nurse practitioners at the centre de santé Constellation Health Clinic and we have added another nurse practitioner to the Referred Care Clinic bringing the total number to four. In addition, there are nurse practitioners at the Sexual Health Clinic, Midlife Clinic and in Community Nursing.

“To further support recruitment, the Department of Health and Social Services has been actively facilitating preceptorships for nurse practitioner students. The nurse practitioners at the Sexual Health and Midlife Clinics have been instrumental in mentoring local nurse practitioner students, contributing to the development of future health care providers.

“Our government is also collaborating with the Yukon Hospital Corporation and other partners to improve recruitment efforts. By attending recruitment events across Canada, we aim to fill current job openings and strengthen our healthcare workforce.

“We understand that retention is as important as recruitment. To support this, our government offers retention bonuses to registered nurses, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses, helping to attract and keep talent in our health system.

“We thank our nurse practitioners for their essential work and care for Yukoners. Their compassion, expertise and relentless commitment enrich our communities and transform lives.

“I encourage everyone to take a moment this week to thank our nurse practitioners for their hard work and dedication.

“Their contributions make a significant difference in the lives of those they serve.”