How to become a super nurse

Although the term “super nurse” is popular with the public, some nurse practitioners are leery of the label, as it could be misconstrued as implying that the contribution of all other nurses is of lesser value.

Quebec allowed the professional designation in 2002, and the first super nurses started working in 2006. To be accepted into one of the eight university nurse-practitioner programs in the province, one must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and have at least two years of clinical working experience.

The program takes a little over two years to complete, which means that by the end of the process one has accumulated a total of more than five years’ of university training, including the undergraduate degree. A nurse practitioner graduates with both a master’s degree and a diploma.

Nurse practitioners can work in family-medicine clinics, hospitals and longterm care centres, always under the supervision of a doctor.

They can specialize in primary care, neonatology, acute-care pediatrics, mental health and acute care for adults, including cardiology and nephrology.

Under new regulations last month, NPs no longer have to consult with their supervising doctor before commencing a patient’s treatment for six specific medical conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, diabetes, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.