The Family Practice Nurse in Newfoundland

Abstract

The expanded role of the nurse is not new to Newfoundland. Nurses in this province, working in public health agencies, health districts and in cottage hospitals, had been for many years, and in some places still are, working in an expanded role. Organized district nursing was started in 1920 by the Outport Nursing Committee. The nurses came to the districts prepared as midwives, and no further formal training was provided (1). From 1935-1941, a course was available in Newfoundland for nurses who worked in areas without physicians. The course of instruction consisted of how to do T & A's and dental extractions with anaesthetic, how to run pre-natal and well-baby clinics, and lectures in "General Public Health" and "Midwifery" (2). Until the advent of the Medical Care Plan in 1969, the public health nurses did the initial health screening of patients who received social assistance, assisted in delivering babies, and treated minor ailments under physicians' standing orders. Today, there are still some public health nurses in rural areas who spend a part of their time in curative programs. Nurses in cottage hospitals continue to have a more expansive role than nurses in larger hospitals. The extra preparation required for this expanded role today is obtained on the job, either through self learning or through the help of a physician.