New Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program

Alberta Municipalities is excited to highlight the provincial government’s launch of a new Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program to enhance access to primary health care services. 

This initiative empowers nurse practitioners to work independently, expanding their role in primary care clinics throughout Alberta. Importantly, this initiative aligns directly with ABmunis' advocacy efforts and resolutions, including an active resolution (Integration of Nurse Practitioners into the Alberta Healthcare System 2023) and our expired resolutions from 2015 and 2020. This announcement also reflects the advocacy work undertaken by both the Small Communities Committee and the Safe and Healthy Communities Committee and highlights the ongoing work being done to increase access to primary care services in rural communities.

Under this program, nurse practitioners will receive compensation based on patient panel size and care hours, fostering autonomy and the ability to establish their own practices. The program targets improving access to care for more than 700,000 Albertans who are currently without primary health providers, with incentives for nurse practitioners to serve rural and underserved communities. Additionally, mentorship funding and application support will be provided to facilitate nurse practitioners' transition to independent practice.

Program Highlights

Nurse practitioners participating in the program are eligible for the Rural, Remote and Northern Program, which incentivizes practice in underserved areas.

The program reserves spots for nurse practitioners serving on First Nations reserves or Metis Settlements, encouraging partnerships to expand services and support in Indigenous communities.

Click here to learn more on this new program.