A nurse practitioner (NP) was hired at MHLTC to strengthen clinical care, prevent unnecessary hospital transfers, and support the organization’s mission of delivering exceptional senior care. 

With over 25 years of experience, this NP provides holistic, evidence-based care, identifies program gaps, secures funding, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams. Working with the home's LTC Best Practice Coordinator, the LTC team completed multiple gap analyses and implemented improvements informed by RNAO best practices. 

The addition of the NP led to a 45 per cent reduction in hospital transfers and enabled the home to support more complex residents, including those requiring hemodialysis, G-tubes, and end-of-life care. Despite initial challenges and misconceptions about the NP role, the positive outcomes for residents, families, and the system highlight the value of expanding NP positions in long-term care.