Nurse Practitioner

As a member of the military, Nurse Practitioners provide care and treatment to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and supported populations in a primary and tertiary care environment in Canada and while on operation.

Nurse Practitioners work within a collaborative practice model with other members of the health care team and lead the delivery of health services within their area of practice. Nurse Practitioners have the opportunity to work in different domains of practice including:

• Primary Care;
• Acute Care;
• Education and training;
• Policy and Program management.

Work Environment

As a Nurse Practitioner in the Primary Reserve Force, you will enrol through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, Nurse Practitioners live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.

If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility regarding postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career.

Career Overview

Nurse Practitioner

Jana Lok:

I’m Major Jana Lok from Markham, Ontario, and I'm a nurse practitioner.

Nurse practitioners work closely within that interdisciplinary interprofessional health care team within the Canadian Forces.

A lot of us are currently working within that primary care environment with the physicians and medical officers. We have P.A.s here occasionally, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, as well as the medical technicians.

What I really enjoy about working here is how closely I get to work with all members of the health care team.

What I was looking for in the nurse practitioner stream was just to have a little bit more independence and autonomy within my roles and just having the ability to take care of patients all the way through their wellness cycle. Being able to do thorough assessments, to be able to diagnose, to be able to consult with colleagues, and to be able to refer. So to be part of that complete care picture.

I think what I would tell people is if you're considering a career as a nurse practitioner in the Canadian Forces, maybe you've just finished school and you're not quite sure what you want to do. I would say take this opportunity. You're going to meet a lot of interesting people. You're going to have the opportunity to really expand your knowledge and skills, and you never know where this career could take you. You could be anywhere in the world. You could be working with humanitarian efforts. You could be caring for our own members here in Canada. But I think regardless of what you do, you're going to make a very positive impact on the Canadian Forces and to Canadians everywhere.

Pay and Benefits

A competitive compensation and benefits package is available for this medical specialization. Contact a Health Services Specialist Recruiter to learn more: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca

If you already have a university degree and license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a Canadian province or territory and civilian Nurse Practitioner experience, the CAF may place you directly into a Nurse Practitioner job after evaluation of your experience. You will have to complete some courses to complement your civilian experience. For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca.