Nurse practitioners

Playing a vital role in British Columbia’s health care system, nurse practitioners are health care providers with graduate level clinical education that autonomously diagnose and treat medical conditions, help patients prevent illness, manage care and provide access to specialized care when needed. 

About nurse practitioners

Nurse practitioners deliver high-quality care across a range of settings, including underserved and rural areas. To work as a nurse practitioner in British Columbia (B.C.), you must be registered with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Nurse practitioners provide medical services in the same way as physicians and are considered Medical Staff within Health Authorities. To work within a B.C. Health Authority, nurse practitioners are required to be privileged and credentialed by Medical Affairs departments as part of the hiring process. 

Nurse practitioners in B.C. have a background in nursing and complete advanced master’s level clinical education to provide high quality, evidence-based care. In B.C., nurse practitioners can do the following:

  • Act as a primary care provider, similar to a family physician 
  • Conduct medical and physical assessments  
  • Order and interpret tests such as medical imaging and bloodwork 
  • Diagnose and manage medical conditions  
  • Prescribe medications and write orders for other providers 
  • Complete disability, ICBC, WorkSafe BC and extended health benefit forms  
  • Perform minor procedures such as IUD insertion, suturing or biopsies  
  • Refer to medical specialists of any type  
  • Provide health education, counselling and preventative strategies for health 
  • Work with other team members such as nurses, physicians, pharmacists, mental health counsellors, to ensure you have the best care 
  • Work in a hospital and more specialized settings across a continuum of care 
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To become a nurse practitioner, you must meet the registration requirements set out by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) which include:

  • Completing an undergraduate degree in nursing and a recognized master’s level nurse practitioner program 
  • Meeting nurse practitioner registration exam requirements 
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  • Primary Care Networks (PCNs) where NPs work in a team-based care model in settings such as Primary Care Clinics, Community Health Centres, Indigenous Primary Care Clinics, Urgent and Primary Care Centers and more
  • Acute care including cardiology, neurology, geriatrics, emergency departments, orthopedics, internal medicine, and more 
  • Cancer care including radiation and medical oncology, pain and symptom management programs and more 
  • Specialized outpatient clinics such as cardiac clinics, chronic pain clinics, HIV clinics, and more 
  • Pediatrics including acute and community-based programs such as neonatal units, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), orthopedics, asthma clinics, emergency departments, pediatric oncology and more 
  • Long term care and rehabilitation centers  
  • Correctional health services  
  • Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) services

Explore nurse practitioner jobs in Primary Care Networks    

Explore all jobs in British Columbia’s health authorities. 

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Please visit the BCCNM website for information about eligibility and how to apply for full practising registration as a Nurse Practitioner in B.C. 

The BCCNM website will provide information for your specific pathway, whether you are a:  

  • B.C. Nurse Practitioner graduate 
  • New graduate of a Canadian Nurse Practitioner program 
  • Nurse Practitioner registered in Canada  
  • Nurse Practitioner educated and registered outside of Canada.  
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Comparison informationPrimary Care Network (PCN) Service ContractHealth Authority (HA) Employee
Term3-year term; minimum 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) for individual contract (group contract options also available that can include a lower FTE commitment).Regular full-time, part-time, casual employment.
Type of practiceLongitudinal Primary Care, non-longitudinal primary care by exception.Primary Care longitudinal or episodic, Specialized Care (outpatient ), Long Term Care or Acute Care.
24/25 WagesYear 1: $169,867
Year 2: $175,530
Year 3: $181,192		New Grad:
$145,739 ($74.74 hourly)
1 Year experience:
$153,026 (78.48 hourly)
2 or more years’ experience:
$160,313 ($82.21 hourly)
Benefits package (including pension)Not provided – NP must obtain themselves.Provided by employer (Benefits such as vacation leave, parental and other types of leave, extended medical/dental coverage and more)
Liability coverageMust be purchased by NP. NP’s can get discounted rates via NNPBC membership.Provided by employer. NPs may obtain additional liability coverage at their own cost.
OverheadContract comes with overhead allocation from the Ministry: $75,000 rural/urban, $85,000 metro.Employer is responsible for NPs’ overhead expenses. Amount provided varies by health authority.
Practice supports/
Mentorship		Provided by NNPBC Provincial Initiatives Program (PIP) Regional Leadership team.Provided by Health Authority NP Practice Leadership team.
Access to additional practice support fundingAvailable via PIP at NNPBC.Provided by employer. May also be available through PIP at NNPBC for some NPs.
Reporting requirementsMust meet the terms and conditions of the contract. NPs are responsible to submit monthly invoices for hours to their contract administrator and for submitting shift codes encounter reports and attachment reports.

The health authority Medical Affairs department is the contract administrator in most cases, but there is no formal “reporting” structure.		Must meet employer’s terms and conditions. NPs are responsible for submitting encounter and attachment reports.

NPs report to operational leaders and medical staff leadership/NP leadership depending on health authority.
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B.C. news for nurse practitioners

British Columbia is taking action to attract doctors, nurses from U.S.

The Province is taking new steps to attract more doctors and nurses from the U.S. by fast-tracking credential recognition and launching a co-ordinated, targeted recruitment campaign.

Learn more about B.C. taking action to attract doctors and nurses from the U.S.

Connecting patients to doctors and nurse practitioners

People in B.C. with a personal health number can now join the Health Connect Registry to help you and your family find a primary care provider in your community. Once you are signed up, the registry can help match you with a family doctor or nurse practitioner near you, as providers become available.

Learn more about connecting patients to doctors and nurse practitioners

Helping people get emergency care faster

When people go to the emergency department they need prompt access to care. We’re working to help people get the emergency care they need faster. We’re taking steps to add the role of physician assistants to the healthcare team in B.C. It is an important next step in the actions we’re taking to retain, recruit and train health-care workers so people in B.C. can get the health care they need.

Learn more about helping people get emergency care faster

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