NP Spotlight – Vicki Irwin
NP Spotlight NPAM News
Vicki Irwin RN NP
Primary Care – Virden & Reston
My vision for Nurse Practitioners includes full uptake and utilization of our scope and skills at the primary care and preventative care level. I believe Nurse Practitioners have a lot to offer the health care system and to patients of all demographics.
Background:
A lack of rural access to primary care when my premature son and I needed it the most, cemented my intention to one day become a Nurse Practitioner. The goal, to provide primary care and make a difference for the people in my rural MB community. It wasn’t just my family struggling for access to healthcare, many families faced the same predicament. Living on the MB/SK border and upon graduating with my Master of Nursing in 2020, I started work as a Nurse Practitioner in three rural SK communities. The experience I gained was fantastic. I’ve made some amazing friends and gained a number of colleague mentors along the way. I was so happy for the opportunity to come home to MB in 2023 and provide primary care to the people of my home community and surrounding area.
I have been working in healthcare for 20 years! I have completed a Bachelor of Nursing, Advanced Critical Care Nursing and a Master of Nursing as well. I have held various roles over the years in long term care, medical, critical care, and community. With each nursing role, I have gained knowledge, experience, compassion, and the drive to continue to improve my practice.
Workplace:
I am the first Nurse Practitioner to compliment the interdisciplinary team at Virden Health Centre. Introducing the role to my colleagues, and the community was a daunting task at first. A community that has previously had a full complement of physicians for many years, was now in need of primary care support. I jumped wholeheartedly, with both feet at this opportunity.
I provide primary care at Virden medical clinic three days per week. I am responsible for the overall coordination and evaluation of medical services to a 45-bed long term care facility in Virden as well. Additionally, I provide primary care to my home community of Reston, one day per week. I have taken additional education and training to be able to provide contraception in the forms on intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal implants (Nexplanon), and cervical block (pain management) for placement of intrauterine devices.
Daily Responsibilities:
I see patients of all demographics, for primary care prevention and health care needs daily. Geriatric, pediatric, women’s health, men’s health, teen health, chronic disease management and more. With each patient, I form a strong rapport and build a long term patient centred care relationship. I provide health assessments, order diagnostics, provide diagnosis, treatment planning, patient education and follow up. I write prescriptions and make referrals to speciality physicians when they are indicated. I spend as much time with each patient as needed to provide them with the care they deserve and to address all of their health and preventative care needs.
Fulfillment in the Role:
I have always been a ‘helper’ by nature, and to have the opportunity and education to utilize this part of my identity in my career path has been nothing short of amazing! I love my role as a Nurse Practitioner! I find this role so fulfilling because I am able to make a positive impact in my patients lives.
Vision for the NP Role in Manitoba:
Implementing the role of the Nurse Practitioner in the interdisciplinary health care team has come up against many barriers in the past. I hope to see continued implementation of new Nurse Practitioner positions in the rural setting. I hope to see a decrease in chronic disease as time goes on and a decrease in strain on our tertiary health care centres. My vision for Nurse Practitioners includes full uptake and utilization of our scope and skills at the primary care and preventative care level. I believe Nurse Practitioners have a lot to offer the health care system and to patients of all demographics.
Advice to Aspiring NPs:
The first year in practice is the hardest. Seek a mentor and allow them to share their experiences, guide you in practice and support you as you build confidence in your new role. The hard work and perseverance required in completing your graduate work is so completely worth it!