Family Health Team

Optimizing the Role of the Family Practice Registered Nurse

Professional Expert Communicator Synergist Health Educator Lifelong Learner Glossary of Terms

An Emerging Competency Framework for Family Practice Registered Nurses

Nurses have worked in family practice settings for decades and have been an important part of Canada’s healthcare system. Hundreds of nurses across Ontario and Canada are proud to be family practice nurses. However, this unique and dynamic area of nursing has lacked a set of clearly defined roles and competencies, and consequently, recognition and value. In order to attain recognition and a valued place in our healthcare system, this area of specialty needs to be explored and defined.

Between 2008-2009 a qualitative inquiry was undertaken in collaboration with the Ontario Family Practice Nurses Association, Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association, Ontario College of Family Physicians, Toronto Western Hospital, & George Brown College entitled “Optimizing the Role of the Family Practice Registered Nurse.” Investigation into the nature of family practice nursing was carried out in Ontario in order to identify key roles and competencies of the Family Practice Registered Nurse (FP-RN). Nurses and their colleagues within family practice settings were interviewed and asked to describe attributes (qualities and characteristics) of exemplary FP-RNs and their roles in the family practice setting. Data obtained from the participants was analyzed for themes. These themes were translated into roles and competencies, providing an important first step in the development of a competency framework for family practice nursing.

The roles and competencies that emerged from this study are rooted in the stories of FP-RNs. It is the hope of this research team that this research will serve to establish a network of stakeholders in nursing organizations to advance this emerging framework as a stepping stone to further clarification and optimization .

[Back to homepage]