Professional Blog
Nurse Practitioner Funding Models and Access to Care; Prince Edward Island Vs. Alberta
March 2, 2026
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are invaluable clinicians that have been providing high quality evidence-based care to Canadians for decades, despite varying degrees of funding model support within the Canadian healthcare system (Marceau, et al., 2021). Not only are NPs able to provide care to patients in many clinical settings, but they also contribute to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. It is clear that NPs are a key members in the complex Canadian health care system and yet they continue to struggle with restrictions, funding transparency, and financial independence (Marceau, et al., 2021).
In Prince Edward Island (PEI), NPs are restricted in the way they are compensated for their services. Most of the NPs that work in PEI are employed by the one and only health authority, Health PEI. Compensation and wage of pay are negotiated by the PEI Nurses Union, who represent all NPs and Registered Nurses that work in the publicly funded health network (Marceau, et al., 2021). NPs are limited in the care that they providebased on the budget determined by the department they work for. NPs in PEI are unable to work in or open walk-in clinics, be able to bill the provincial government for services provided to patients, or work overtime withoutthe pre-approval from nursing management. In contrast to the scope of practice in PEI, NPs have one of the largest lists of reserved activities in the country and are completely independent health care providers (CRNMPEI, 2023). Active work continues to be made between the PEI Nurses Union and the PEI Nurse Practitioner Association in developing alternative models that will allow NPs to provide care to Islanders without struggling to conform to outdated and overly restricted billing models.
Alberta announced a Nurse Practitioner Primary Care program in Fall 2024, as a strategy to expand patient access to primary care providers. This publicly funded primary care model is based on capitation compensation, with specific requirements for minimum panel size and after-hours access to care, for example (Government of Alberta, 2024). Despite this funding agreement, not all NP care is publicly funded in the Alberta. Some NPs continue to provide care on a fee for service basis, and in these cases, the patient is billed directly for costs associated with their care. The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care program is a separate grant, administered by Alberta’s Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services and means that NPs cannot bill the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) directly for their services.
While there is currently much diversity in the way that NP-provided care is funded, with patients paying out of pocket for some of this care in several provinces, a clarification statement from the Federal Minister of Health on the Canada Health Act Services policy, “confirms that if a service is considered medically necessary – it should be covered by a patient’s provincial or territorial health care plan whether the service is provided by a physician or a physician-equivalent” (Health Canada, 2025).
This is exciting news for patients and NPs across the country, who are eager for expanded access to care and predictable, sustainable funding for this care. It is also good news for advocates of publicly funded healthcare, as it closes the loopholes that so many provinces and health care professionals encounter with non-physician provision of medically necessary care. Time will tell how the Federal Health Minister’sclarification will be interpreted and implemented in each province, but there is reason to be hopeful that patients will benefit from expanded access to publicly funded medically necessary care.
References
CRNMPEI. (2023). Entry-level competencies for nurse practitioner. Collage of Registered Nurses and Midwives of Prince Edward Island.https://crnmpei.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Entry-Level-Competencies-Nurse-Practitioner-2023-03-30.pdf
Government of Alberta. (2024, November 20). Nurse practitioners expand primary care access. https://www.alberta.ca/news.aspx
Marceau, R., O’Rourke, T., Monteasanti, S., & Hunter, K. (2021). A critical analysis of funding models: Sustanibility of the nurse practitioner role in Canada. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17, 1112-1117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2021.05.024
Health Canada. (2025, January 10). Statement from the Minister of Health on the Canada Health Act [Statements]. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2025/01/statement-from-the-minister-of-health-on-the-canada-health-act.html
Predictive Modeling in Health Care the NPs Impact
February 24, 202
Predictive Models of Health are complex models that pull data from real health situations and use that information to help predict the outcomes of a particular patient or population. With its successful implementation, health care providers can predict the trajectory of patient’s outcomes and provide timely interventions that will ultimately increase health outcomes (Toma & Chi Wei, 2023). This model can be deployed by using one of two methods: 1) equation-based predictive modeling and 2) computation predictive modeling. In clinical applications, the computational can be used to predict outcomes of patients based on existing patterns, diagnosis, clinical status, co-morbid conditions and non-clinical factors like lifestyle and sociochemical status (Toma & Chi Wei, 2023).
The use of predictive modeling has been used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to help identity predicted length of stay and mortality rates for patients based on various scoring tools including the multiple organ dysfunction tool (MODS) and the nine equivalents nursing manpower use score (NEMS). With the use of said scoring tools, departments can predict patient trajectory, the need for increased human resources, or facility upgrades in the department (Xain, et. al, 2023).
Now we know that patient outcomes can be predicted in the ICU though the incorporation of scoring tools and many modifiable/non-modifiable factors, but the larger question for this discussion would be; can we predict patient outcomes in the ICU though the incorporation of Nurse Practitioners (NP) and do they have an positive impact on family and patent care? As NPs in acute care across the country continue to evolve and develop, there is significant opportunity to dive into this question and develop applicable predication methods that will ultimately improve patient outcomes (Dillon & Kasper, 2024).
References
Dillon, D. L. & Kasper, D. A. (2024). The acute care nurse practitioner: A global health care perspective. The Journal of Nurse Practitioners, 20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105067
Toma, M. & Chi Wei, O. (2023). Predictive modeling in medicine. Encyclopedia, 2, 590-601. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia3020042
Xian, C., de Souza, C. P. E., & Rodriguez, F. F. (2023). Health outcome predictive modelling in intensive care units. Operations Research of Health Care, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orhc/2023.100409.
Determinants of Health
February 15, 2026
When assessing the health of an individual or a community, modifiable and non-modifiable factors need to be taken into consideration. The Determinants of Health are the factors that have a significant impact on one’s health; may it be elements we can or cannot control. Factors that have an impact on health include; income and social status, employment and working conditions, education and literacy, childhood experiences, physical environments, social supports and coping skills, healthy behaviours, access to health services, biology and genetic endowment, gender, culture, and race/racism (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2024).
As Canadians, we are all to have equal opportunities to achieve optimal health as per the Canadian health act. Even with this legislative protection, individuals and communities still suffer the effects of significant health inequalities. Political, social, and economical disadvantages are showed to have a significant impact of one’s health and in term impacts morbidity and mortality. For example, if you identify as Inuit, you are 300% more likely to contract tuberculosis when compared to non-Indigenous Canadians. Also, Canadians who report to have arthritis asthma, or diabetes are more likely to have a lower income/social status or permanently unable to work (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2018).
There is significant research, evidence, and data that identify amendable factors that impact health inequalities. Identifying the issues through rigorous data collection is only one part of the process, the bigger question is how do to address health inequalities as a nation and how committed are key stakeholder to improving the overall health of Canada. Due to public policy and the presence of a capitalist economic system, health inequalities persist with class, race, and gender. Historically, changes and movement in policy does not come from the economic and political elite, but more from groups and organizations that protect the welfare of the people like unions or socialist organization (Borras, 2023).
With healthcare reform and the redistribution of public policy and allocated funds, the overall of health Canadians will improve, and health disparities will eventually plateau and being to decline. This will only occur if government and policy makers shift their strategies away from the political-economic capitalist system and focus on what matters most to the working class of Canadians (Borras, 2023).
References
Borras, A. M. (2023). The challenges of exposing and ending health inequalities though social and policy change: Canadian Experiences. International Journal of Social Determinants of Health and Health Services, 53(2), 130-145. https://doi.org/10.1177/27551938221148376
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2024). Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequalities. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2018). Key Health Inequalities in Canada: A National Portrait. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/science-research-data/key-health-inequalities-canada-national-portrait-executive-summary.html
What is Health?
February 8, 2026
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, 1947). Overall health is not just a measure of physical status, but it also includes the perception of social security and meatal wellbeing. The journey of achieving optimal health is very subjective for the person and can only be accomplished using a holistic and collaborative approach. Achieving optimal health is not a systematic or linear approach, but a very individualized set of wants and needs to ensure that the individual is able live a happy and fulfilling life (Schramme, 2023).
In today’s world of complex political and economic turmoil, the way we perceive optimal health has significantly changed when compared to 1947. Equality in health access, physical/emotional trauma, and cultural plays a significant role in how an induvial or community can achieve optimal health (Amri, et al., 2023). The Canadian Health Act of 1985 (Minister of Justice, 2026) key principles are to ensure that all Canadians have fully insured and equal health care access though publicly funded health care delivery services. With the initiation of private health care clinics or pay for service health care, health equality and access is at risk and in term, the overall health of Canadians will be significant impacted. The Canadian Health Coalition (2026) promotes, and helps protects health care for all regardless of a person’s ability to pay and that one’s ability to reach optimal health should not be driven by financial status (Canadian Health Coalition, 2026).
As health care access and obtaining optimal health is a fundamental right for Canadians, significant barriers are still present in a world full of multilevel turbulence. As health care professionals and public servants, optimizing, preserving, and promoting health for our patients and communities will ultimately lead to one’s ability to achieve optimal health.
References
Amri, M., Enright, T., O’Campo, P. Di Ruggiero, E., Siddiqi, A., & Boardman Bump, J. (2023). Health promotion, the social determinants of health, and urban health: What does a critical discourse analysis of World Health Organization text reveal about health equality? BMC Global and Public Health, 1(25). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44263-023-00023-4
Canadian Health Coalition. (2026). About us. Canadian Health Coalition. https://www.healthcoalition.ca/about-us/
Schramme, T. (2023). Health as complete wellbeing: The WHO definition and beyond. Public Health Ethics, 16(3) 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phad017
Minster of Justice. (2026). Canadian health act. Government of Canada. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/C-6.pdf
World Health Organization (1947). Minutes of the technical preparatory committee for the internation health conference held in Paris from March 18 to 5 April 1946. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/items/d25f790e-251e-4081-9422-86dda5701bea
My Professional Identity
January 27, 2026
As a Nurse Practitioner (NP) with almost 15 years of practice in healthcare, I have developed tremendous respect and admiration for the people who also work in the publicly funded system. Each day, I arrive to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and greatly appreciate each profession I have the honor of working with; Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Personal Support Workers, Physicians, Pharmacists, Administrative Supports, Social Workers, and Physio/Occupational Therapist to name a few. Since transitioning to the acute care setting from family practice, I have developed even more appreciation for the collaborative practice model when delivering healthcare.
My professional identity is built on my values along with the principles of the professional organizations that represent NP’s in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Canada;
- The PEI Nurses Union provides labour relations support and guidance. Protection and liaison are provided between the member and the employer while helping the member navigate communicating with the employer (PEINU, 2026).
- The College of Registered Nurses and Midwives of PEI is our governing body for professional practice and accountability. I am provided with legal protection and council if practice issues occur while providing care to patients (CRNPMEI, 2026).
- The Canadian Nurses Protection Society provides basic and supplementary insurance for professional practice and practice liability (CNPS, 2026).
- The PEI Nurse Practitioner Association fosters and promotes NP’s in PEI through engagement, education, and empowerment (PEINPA, 2026).
While working with the public in a hospital that provides healthcare to approximately 20,000 Summerside residents, professional identity and reputation is a value I hold close and strive to maintain. I feel strongly about connecting with my patients and family to foster rapport while upholding a professional relationship. I want my patients to feel comfortable with the care that I provide and ensure that they have the appropriate teaching to understand their current and future care plans.
My professional identity also includes the importance of implementing evidence-based information into the care that I provide to my patients. As the only NP working in acute care the Prince County Hospital, I want to make sure that I uphold my professional reputation by providing the most relevant up to date information. Internal medicine is a new career path for me which has been exciting but challenging when compared to family practice. In the months and years to come, I am excited to build my internal medicine knowledge and begin to focus on providing care to more acutely ill patients in the ICU.
References
CNPS. (2026). Home page. Canadian Nurses Protective Society. https://cnps.ca
CRNMPEI. (2026). Home page. Collage of Registered Nurses and Midwives of Prince Edward Island. https://crnmpei.ca
PEINU. (2026). Home page. Prince Edward Island Nurses’ Union. https://peinu.com
PEINPA. (2026). Home page. Prince Edward Island Nurse Practitioner Association. https://peinpa.ca
Professionalism and Social Media Presence
January 25, 2026
In an era where social media platforms are used to communicate global affairs, sharing personal life updates with friends and family, or discussing topics of interest, individuals’ thoughts, actions, and personal or professional views are easily accessible. Not only are Nurse Practitioners (NP) held to a high professional standard in the workplace, but how we communicate in the digital world is also what makes up our professional identity. I take extreme pride in the care that I provide to my patients in the community and Intensive Care Unit (ICU); I also take pride in how I am portrayed in the digital world.
The Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) provides guidance for nurses and how to establish professional conduct on social media. InfoLAW: Social Media (CNPS, 2021) discusses the importance and obligations we have as professionals to maintain privacy, respect professional boundaries, and preserve a professional image while participating in social media platforms. It is essential to maintain the highest level of professionalism while using social media as a professional.
Platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn are effective tools in today’s modern age to form connections, share life achievements, and maintain relationships with people we care about most. When it comes to professional reputation, the information that you create or share on social media will have a significant impact on how the world perceives and trusts you as a health care professional.
As an employee of Health PEI, policy has been set in place to ensure that all staff are aware of how to appropriately conduct themselves from a personal and professional position (2022). This policy provides clear guidelines for health care workers on how to respect the values of the health organization, along with providing clear expiations of the employee and how they are to conduct themselves on social media platforms.
As a NP working in the publicly funded healthcare system in Prince Edward Island, I encounter daily obstacles for providers, patients, and families when trying to access timely critical care. My professional views are valuable and can help make the system function to a higher standard, but there is a process that is needed to ensure that my observations are delivered via the appropriate process and procedure.
References
CNPS. (2021). InfoLAW: Social Media. Canadian Nurses Protective Society. https://cnps.ca/article/social-media/
Health PEI. (2022). Social Media. Policy and Procedures Manuel. https://src.healthpei.ca/sites/src.healthpei.ca/files/HR/HPEI_Social_Media_Policpdf