Overview
As a member of the military, Nurse Practitioners provide care and treatment to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and supported populations in a primary and tertiary care environment in Canada and while on operation.
Nurse Practitioners work within a collaborative practice model with other members of the health care team and lead the delivery of health services within their area of practice. Nurse Practitioners have the opportunity to work in different domains of practice including:
- Primary Care;
- Acute Care;
- Education and training; and
- Policy and Program management.
Work environment
As a Nurse Practitioner in the Primary Reserve Force, you will enrol through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment..
During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, Nurse Practitioners live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.
If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.
Entry plans
Direct Entry
If you already have a university degree and license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a Canadian province or territory and civilian Nurse Practitioner experience, the CAF may place you directly into a Nurse Practitioner job after evaluation of your experience. You will have to complete some courses to complement your civilian experience. For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca .
Training
After completing the Rank Qualification Lieutenant training, Nurse Practitioners who have civilian experience are required to complete a formal military health care provider course to ensure they have the clinical competencies required to deliver occupational and environmental care and treatment. This course is completed at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario.
Nurse Practitioner may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and certification, including:
- Aviation Medicine;
- Dive Medicine; and
- Submarine Medicine.
Part time options
Reserve Force Nurse Practitioners are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. Your civilian experience will have to reflect employment as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult Primary or Acute Care. If you are unsure about your civilian experience matching the job requirements, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca.
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