The Future of Healthcare Careers: The Growing Need for Nurse Practitioners in Sault and Beyond
In today's healthcare landscape, an urgent need has emerged for primary care providers, and nurse practitioners (NPs) are stepping up to the challenge. Among these dedicated professionals is Lauren Beeson from the Group Health Centre, who represents a growing wave of NPs across Ontario eager to make a difference.
“I genuinely love what I do,” Lauren shared, reflecting on her role at the Same Day Clinic at the Group Health Centre.
She continued, “It’s incredibly rewarding to assist patients in real-time. When someone comes to see me with a persistent cough that has plagued them for weeks despite their best efforts at home, I’m thrilled to be able to provide immediate relief.”
Historically, the role of nurse practitioners was somewhat limited, but recent years have seen significant changes that expand their capabilities. Nurse practitioners can now diagnose and treat various conditions, prescribe medications, and even order diagnostic tests, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. They also have the authority to refer patients to specialists.
“There used to be so many limitations on what we could prescribe or the tests we could order,” Beeson explained. “I've heard stories from my seasoned colleagues about how their options were incredibly restricted before I became a nurse practitioner in 2019.”
While there are still some specific hospital tests that NPs cannot order and certain governmental forms they cannot approve, Beeson emphasized that their scope of practice is now quite extensive.
A proud native of Sault Ste. Marie, Lauren pursued her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Sault College and gained valuable experience as a registered nurse in Orillia and Elliot Lake before returning to her hometown. "Nursing was always my calling, as it allows me to care for people directly," she remarked.
Although she excelled in her role as a compassionate bedside nurse, Beeson sought to further her career and decided to train as a nurse practitioner starting in 2016. Her educational journey included both online and in-person classes through Laurentian University in Sudbury. After moving back to Sault Ste. Marie in 2017, she officially became a nurse practitioner two years later. Since July 2020, she has been part of the team at the Same Day Clinic.
According to the Ontario government, there are currently around 3,750 nurse practitioners practicing in the province, and the job outlook for this profession is very promising for the period of 2025-2027. To combat the shortage of primary care providers in Sault Ste. Marie, more NPs have joined the Group Health Centre team.
“It was quite challenging to find NP positions just five years ago,” Beeson recalled. “Now, you can find NP jobs nearly everywhere.”
While nurse practitioners alone cannot solve the primary care provider deficit, Beeson is confident in the vital role they play. “We are indeed part of the solution,” she affirmed.
She elaborated, “The key distinction between a nurse practitioner and a physician lies in our training. We are educated as nurse practitioners and bring a wealth of bedside nursing experience to our roles. This dual background is invaluable.”
Beeson firmly believes that pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner is a wise choice for the future. “Becoming an NP is undoubtedly a career of the future,” she insisted.
“For registered nurses contemplating this transition, it offers an opportunity for a lifestyle change, especially for those with young children or those who wish to avoid shift work. It’s truly a beneficial option.”
Her role at the GHC’s Same Day Clinic is anything but monotonous. “I encounter a wide range of cases—from viral illnesses to newborn check-ups post-discharge, and from patients reporting rib injuries to those seeking assistance with mental health challenges. My job is mostly focused on episodic care, allowing me to address immediate concerns while guiding patients to follow up on any ongoing issues with their family doctor.”
“You’ll find that learning never stops in this profession. Each day presents new experiences, ensuring that monotony is never a concern,” Beeson concluded.
