Nursing
In more than 600 First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada
-- in towns and villages, urban centres and remote, isolated settlements
-- nurses are making a real difference in improving the lives of
individuals, families and nations. In about half of these communities
the nurses are employed by Health Canada. In the other communities
nurses are employed by the Band council as these communities have
responsibility for health care services through a transfer agreement.
 Through
the Office
of Nursing Services (ONS) and the Regional Offices of the First
Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Health Canada employs
over 700 nurses, and works closely with a further 600 who are now
employed directly by First Nations and Inuit communities. In addition
to recruiting and managing nurses for these communities, ONS ensures
nursing practice standards are upheld and provides training for
newly recruited nurses as well as professional learning opportunities
for those in the field.
A focus on education
Serving remote and culturally diverse communities places unique
demands on nurses in First Nations and Inuit communities. Special
training in both primary care and community health nursing ensures
that nurses are well prepared to meet these demands.
Primary care
Limited access to hospitals and doctors means that nurses in remote
communities often find themselves providing care that requires
advanced knowledge, skills and clinical judgement. As part of the
orientation for nurses working in this expanded role, Health Canada
provides mandatory education through a primary skills program.
The approach is holistic, focusing on:
- Health promotion;
- Disease prevention;
- Illness management; and
- Clinical assessment.
This advanced instruction enables nurses to care for clients requiring
treatment for routine, acute and emergency health problems.
Community health nursing
Nurses working in First Nations communities are responsible for
planning and implementing culturally appropriate health programs.
Health Canada provides mandatory training for nurses who lack
formal education in community health nursing. The training focuses
on public health nursing in First Nations communities, with a particular
emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention and community
development. Graduates earn credits toward their nursing degree.
If you'd like to learn more about Health Canada's educational
programs for nurses working in First Nations and Inuit communities,
please contact us.
Related sources
Additional information related to nursing in First Nations and
Inuit Communities is available fromthese sources:
Standards of practice
The following publications provide assessment resources and guidelines
for nurses working in FirstNations and Inuit Communities:
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