Fort St. John gains two nurse practitioners

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Northern Health has announced that Fort St. John has received two new nurse practitioners, among the seven that have joined health centres across Northern B.C.

Michael Tantongco recently completed his studies at the University of Victoria, and is a nurse practitioner with a background in pediatric oncology. Virginia Davis recently completed her master’s program through University of Northern British Columbia, and has moved back to Fort St. John to work here as a nurse practitioner.

All 21 full-time, four part-time and five casual nurse practitioners who currently work within the health authority provide primary care.

“Nurse practitioners work in both independent and collaborative practice roles in B.C., providing valuable support to health care services,” said Health Minister Terry Lake.

Last fall, Kristan Ellis-MacDonald started practicing in Chetwynd after relocating from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“There were no jobs for nurse practitioners available in the Maritimes when I was looking, so I feel very fortunate to join Northern Health as a nurse practitioner at the Chetwynd Primary Care Clinic,” said Ellis-MacDonald, adding that she is excited to live in Chetwynd for the community and beautiful environment.

Partnerships between Northern Health, Ministry of Health, First Nations Health Authority, municipal governments and communities across northern B.C. have helped recruit seven new nurse practitioners to the Northern Health region, which First Nations Health Authority’s chief nursing officer, Becky Palmer, says will help increase access to primary care.

“Nurse practitioners offer a scope of practice that make them an extremely valued asset for rural and remote First Nations communities, as well as citizens accessing services in the urban setting,” Palmer said.

“We have heard from our clinicians and other partners working in First Nations communities, that nurse practitioners are an important contributor to enhancing care for First Nations.”

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a graduate level nursing degree in advanced practice.

They are qualified to see patients for acute issues like a cold or injury, follow patients with chronic health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, provide prenatal care, do check-ups and physical exams, and prescribe medications.