Go to content

Métiers et professions en santé et services sociaux

Specialized Nurse Practitioner

Specialized Nurse Practitioner

University

salaire Min. 30,39 $ / h
Max. 63,80 $ / h

Description and Responsibilities

Specialized nurse practitioners (SNPs) have training and advanced experience in nursing. They are responsible for all aspects of a person’s health:

  • Physical and mental health needs
  • Gathering a family’s health history
  • Assessing how an illness affects the daily life of a patient and his or her family
  • Giving advice on healthy living and ways to manage chronic illness

SNPs work with the attending physician to identify health problems and establish care and treatment priorities. In close collaboration, they assist in the follow-up of diagnosed patients. SNPs provide clinical support to nurses and other healthcare professionals. They act as educators and researchers that other members of the care team can consult. They help design, apply and evaluate programs related to their specialty. They contribute to the development and implementation of educational programs for patients, their loved ones, as well as for groups of people.

SNPs contribute to the establishment and evaluation of medical- and nursing-care regulations and the development of training programs for nursing staff. They conduct, and collaborate in, nursing-care research and medical clinical research. In addition to their profession-specific responsibilities, SNPs may exercise 5 additional activities usually reserved for physicians:

  • Prescription of drugs and other substances
  • Prescription of diagnostic tests
  • Prescription of medical treatments
  • Use of diagnostic techniques that are invasive or present a risk of injury
  • Use of medical techniques or treatments or applications that are invasive or present a risk of injury

SNPs generally work in one of the following specialties:

  • Adult care
  • Mental health
  • Neonatology
  • Pediatrics
  • Primary care

Education and Training Requirements

SNPs must hold a graduate degree in their elected specialty. 

In Québec, degrees are offered at the following universities:

In order to practise, SNPs must also pass the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec exam. 

Scholarships in nursing for specialized nurse practitioners are offered to students under the scholarship program of the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. For more information, see Bourses en soins infirmiers pour les infirmières praticiennes spécialisées page (in French only).

Required Interests, Skills and Personality Type

  • Must be a good communicator and listener
  • Must be responsible and organized
  • Must enjoy working in a team with colleagues and other professionals
  • Must have excellent initiative and be able to work autonomously
  • Must have good summarizing and analytical skills
  • Must know how to observe and analyze situations and people
  • Must love contact with the public
  • Must manage stress well

Personality Type (RIASEC)

SIA
  • S - Prefers to be in contact with people and to help them
  • I - Prefers studying, understanding and solving problems
  • A - Prefers completing creative tasks

Work Environment

Specialized nurse practitioners work in hospitals (in French only).

Useful Links