Nursing Initiatives for Primary Care
NIPC helps nurses establish, strengthen and grow their practice in primary care through personalized support, professional connections, education, practical resources and opportunities for ongoing development.
A provincial practice support program for Nurse in Practice nurses
Primary care nursing offers significant opportunities to improve access to care, strengthen team-based practice and support patients closer to home. Nurses entering these roles may also be working in clinics without the professional practice infrastructure, nursing leadership, peer networks or established supports available in larger health-care organizations.
Nursing Initiatives for Primary Care (NIPC) provides a province-wide practice support infrastructure for nurses participating in British Columbia’s Nurse in Practice program. Delivered by Nurses & Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC) in partnership with the Ministry of Health, NIPC provides dedicated practice support to Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses participating in the Nurse in Practice program.
Through NIPC, nurses can access dedicated practice support, connect with other primary care nurses, build knowledge and confidence, navigate the realities of working in primary care, and continue developing their practice over time.
How NIPC supports nurses participating in the Nurse in Practice program
Support designed for the realities of primary care nursing.
Supporting your primary care nursing journey
Recognizing that nurses need information and guidance before they enter a primary care role, NIPC has developed the Primary Care Nursing Pathway, available to all nurses interested in exploring or beginning a career in primary care.
The full Pathway helps organize the supports, resources, and development opportunities available to nurses participating in NIPC.
Interested in primary care nursing? Start here.
Whether you are considering a career in primary care or preparing to begin a new position, these publicly available resources can help you better understand the role, make informed career decisions, and prepare for practice.
The Primary Care Nursing Pathway is built in five stages, from pre-contract to scope optimization and leadership. Stages 0 and 1 offer publicly available early-stage resources for anyone exploring or beginning a career in primary care. The full Pathway is only available to nurses eligible for supports through NIPC.
You’re exploring independent primary care, or getting ready to apply on a contract. Stage 0 gets you oriented: what primary care actually is, how nurses work within team-based care, what makes a Nurse in Practice role different from a health authority position, and how to land one.
“I need to understand what primary care is, and how nurses and team-based care work. I’m also not sure what’s different about NinP roles versus independent family practice, or how I’d get one of those jobs.”
After this stage I will be able to
Explain the primary care nurse role in team-based primary care
Compare and contrast independent primary care with other health authority nursing roles, including primary care
Adapt my resume and interview skills to independent primary care nurse postings
What you need to know & resources
Nursing
- Primary Care Nurse Role Guide
- Scope Matrix
- Day in the Life infographic
- BCCNM Controls on Practice
Employment
- Pre-contract and early orientation guide (coming soon)
- Application
- Interview
- Employment documentation from employer (clinic specific)
You’ve signed your contract and you’re in the clinic. Stage 1 walks you through your first month: what your role involves, the tasks you’ll take on, and the tools and resources you’ll use in week one, then how the clinic’s workflows and processes fit together across weeks two to four.
“I need to understand what primary care is, and how nurses and team-based care work. I’m also not sure what’s different about NinP roles versus independent family practice, or how I’d get one of those jobs.”
After this stage I will be able to
Assess and complete my employment agreement
Review and complete onboarding steps
Review and participate in first-30-days orientation through observation and active learning
What you need to know & resources
Nursing
- First 30-Day Guide (coming soon)
- BCCNM Scope of Practice Learning Modules (RN)
- BCCNM Scope of Practice Learning Modules (LPN)
Clinic and Team
- Tour and introductions
- Workspace and equipment setup
- Shadow the MOA, FP/NP and team members
- Establish team meetings and huddles
- Learn about most used community agencies, services, specialists
Technology and Data
- EMR access and training (clinic specific)
- MSP # Request Form
- MSP # explainer
- Pharmanet Access Request Form
- PRIME – will need GPID and college registration #
- CareConnect
- UpToDate
- eForms Immunization Entry Form
- Encounter coding: codeyourcare.ca
Employment
- Complete onboarding and orientation checklist (clinic specific)
- Pre-contract and early orientation guide (coming soon)
- Review your contract for practice implications
- Performance expectations and 30-day check-in with leadership
- Check-in guide (coming soon)
Stage 2: Orientation (30 – 90 days)
Stage 3: Settling in and scoping out (4 – 12 months)
Stage 4: Full integration and leadership (12 – 18 months)
Have questions or want to partner with us?
Whether you are participating in the Nurse in Practice program, exploring a career in primary care nursing, or interested in partnering with NIPC, contact the NIPC team.
NIPC partners with leading health organizations and teams to advance team-based primary care. That includes co-hosting webinars, collaborating on initiatives that advance primary care, and presenting on the NIPC program at your clinic or division office.
