02/04/2026
Emergency department overcrowding isn’t an ED problem, it’s a system problem.
Prolonged wait times, hallway medicine, and ambulance off-load delays are symptoms of broader gaps across Alberta’s health system, from limited primary and continuing care to workforce shortages and disrupted patient flow.
Nurse Practitioners are part of the solution. Evidence shows that when NPs are enabled to practice to full scope, they improve patient flow, reduce wait times, strengthen team-based care, and support continuity across acute, community, and rural settings.
NPAA is working with the Government of Alberta to modernize NP bylaws and privileging, expand NP-led primary care, invest in community and continuing care, and embed NPs in integrated team-based models across all four pillars of care.
Fully leveraging Nurse Practitioners isn’t about replacement; it’s about resilience. A stronger, more sustainable health system depends on team-based solutions.
For more information, visit our website: https://albertanps.com/resources-downloads/
Team-Based Care | Nurse Practitioners | Emergency Care | Health System Flow | Primary Care | Rural Health | Continuing Care