Media Advisory - Ontario's Nurse Practitioners Meet in London To Demonstrate "Excellence in Action"

LONDON, ON, Oct. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Nurse practitioners (NPs) from across the province are gathering in London this week to promote excellence in professional practice as part of the Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario (NPAO) annual conference.  "Ontario's nurse practitioners are leading the way in promoting excellence in health care.  They are improving access to primary health care in NP-led clinics and family health teams, reducing wait times in emergency departments, and helping families navigate through our health care system," says NPAO President Claudia Mariano.  "Nurse practitioners represent one of the best investments we can make in health care and this conference is an opportunity for us to act on our commitment to do even better."

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education and decision-making skills to diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications, and order lab tests, X-rays and other diagnostic tests. Nurse practitioners are skilled health-care providers who work in their own clinics as well as a variety of other health-care settings. Research has demonstrated that nurse practitioners provide safe, effective, quality care to their patients - and in a more cost-effective manner.

"We are proud of what nurse practitioners in Ontario have accomplished in recent years and what this has meant for patients", adds Beth Cowper-Fung, NPAO president-elect.   "Yet, there is so much more that can be done.   To that end, this conference will help Ontario's committed nurse practitioners continue in their own efforts to advance their own skills and knowledge, as well as the ability of the entire profession to have a positive impact for people."

WHAT: The 2012 Annual Nurse Practitioner Conference - "Excellence in Action" -- hosted by the Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario (NPAO)

WHO: More than 400 nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses.

WHERE: London Convention Centre, 300 York Street, London, Ontario

WHEN: November 1 - 3, 2012 (8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.)

The Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario (NPAO) represents the professional interests of all nurse practitioners in Ontario. NPAO is an expert group of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario. NPAO's mission is to achieve full integration of nurse practitioners to ensure accessible, high quality health care for Ontarians.

SOURCE: Nurse Practitioners' Assocation of Ontario

For more information or to arrange an interview with a nurse practitioner, please contact:  Charlotte McCallum, Director Media and Public Relations, [phone] or Email: [email protected]  For more information:  www.npao.org