Nurse Practitioner Week (12-18 December) is an opportunity for us all to celebrate and appreciate the crucial role Nurse Practitioners (NP) play in delivering quality care and improving health outcomes across Australian communities.

NPs are senior clinical nurses with advanced qualifications and GLCH has one of these in our very own Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Luke Williams. Luke does an amazing job with local palliative care clients and is loved by everyone he works with.

Luke says NPs are vital in filling gaps across the healthcare landscape and will be even more needed by the community in the future.

With an extended scope of practice, NPs such as Luke can independently assess, diagnose, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications and refer clients to other health professionals. NPs also have a role in leadership, research and education.

So, we think they’re pretty darn cool!