Nurse Practitioner Week 2025

It’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week; a yearly celebration during the second week of November. It’s a time to recognize the vital role NPs play in providing comprehensive health care across a variety of care settings in our community.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Ontario is a highly trained healthcare professional who takes care of patients in many ways. NPs are registered nurses with advanced education and specialized clinical training. They provide Primary Care services like diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and managing long-term health conditions.

NPs can be found in a variety of settings across the community: family health teams, walk-in clinics, hospitals, long-term care homes, and community health centres. You may also see them working in schools, mental health programs, and outreach services for vulnerable populations.

Path to becoming an NP:

complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN),
become a Registered Nurse (RN),
gain clinical experience,
complete a Masters level Nurse Practitioner program

With a need for more Primary Care providers in our community, NPs are a key part of the solution. NPs provide many of the same Primary Care services as physicians, bringing a nursing lens that emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care, prevention, and wellness. Together, these complementary approaches help strengthen access and ensure more people receive timely, high-quality care.

Meet Two Nurse Practitioners in Oxford County

Krista Wright – Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital NP

Krista is an NP in the Rapid Assessment Fast Track (RAFT) at the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Emergency Department. She sees patients who are coming in for episodic health concerns such as earaches, sore throats, lacerations, broken bones, rashes, eye concerns, wounds, etc. Krista helps people of all ages, from toddlers to those over 100 years old. With a background in critical care, Krista thrives in a fast-paced environment.

“Every day is a new day in the ER,” says Krista. “I am constantly learning… on any given day I could be suturing a forearm laceration, completing prenatal care, seeing a patient with pneumonia, casting a broken arm, and then diagnosing strep pharyngitis all within a 2-hour period.”

“It’s very important to highlight that [NPs] are an addition to the health care team and not a replacement for different members of the team. NPs have an advanced set of skills … we work in collaboration with RPNs, RNs and physicians to deliver the best possible care to people within the community.”

In her time at TDMH, Krista has appreciated opportunities to collaborate with fellow NPs and community services, such as the Oxford County Community Health Centre, Alzheimer’s Society, Ontario Health, LHSC Children’s Hospital, and more. “It is so rewarding to be able to connect someone with the appropriate services that can support them in their health care journey.”

Krista also expressed her appreciation of the leadership at TDMH: “I have such a supportive director, Dr. Jamal El Firikh, who has encouraged me and supported me in this role right from the beginning. Our Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President Clinical Services, April Mullen, has also been so supportive of including Nurse Practitioners in the health care team at TDMH and has made it a point to include me in different groups within the hospital such as professional practice.”

“This has been such a rewarding role. People within the community have been so welcoming and thankful for the care they have received, and I can say this is the best job I’ve ever had.”

“Being a Nurse Practitioner means combining medical expertise with human connection. We’re not just treating symptoms – we’re empowering people to take control of their health, and that impact lasts far beyond the clinic walls.”

Jessica Carrasco-Harding – Tillsonburg Unattached Care Clinic, Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic) NP

Jessica provides Primary Care as a Nurse Practitioner at the recently opened Tillsonburg Unattached Care Clinic. Jessica states “I have the privilege of caring for people who often haven’t had a regular Primary Care provider for months or even years. When they walk through our doors, they may be feeling frustrated, worried, or simply worn down from trying to navigate the system on their own. My role as a Nurse Practitioner is to change that experience – to listen, to validate their concerns, and to give them a clear path forward.”

In this role, Jessica meets with a variety of people, from concerned parents of a newborn to an older adult managing a chronic condition, to someone reaching out for mental health support. In every situation, Jessica emphasizes the importance of making sure that person leaves feeling seen, heard, and with a sense of control over their health.

“Being part of this project through the Oxford OHT has shown me how powerful innovative models of care can be. This clinic is more than a place to get medical help – it’s a lifeline for so many in our community. To play a role in bridging that gap and giving people access to the care they deserve is deeply meaningful, and I am honoured to be a part of it.”

When asked what Jessica enjoys most about her role, she expressed how meaningful it is to get to build connections with the people she sees, and that providing care is not just about fixing problems – it’s about creating relationships that make people feel safe, supported, and understood.

Before becoming an NP, Jessica worked as a registered nurse for over a decade. During those years, she developed meaningful relationships with physicians and colleagues who provided mentorship and collaboration that gave her the confidence and foundation to step into her NP role. Jessica also shared her appreciation for her upbringing, and how that shaped her passion for this work: “if it weren’t for the support that I’ve received from my family and friends I wouldn’t be where I am today. I believe a large part of my childhood watching my immigrant parents try to navigate a foreign country shaped me to be the voice for change and ensure everyone I come across feels validated and heard.”

Jessica is part of the Oxford Primary Care Network, where she brings representation for NPs to the table and looks forward to being part of larger conversations that aim to improve care in the community.

Celebrating Our NPs
As we celebrate Nurse Practitioner Week, the Oxford OHT extends our gratitude to Krista, Jessica, and all NPs across our region. Their expertise, compassion, and dedication make a meaningful difference every day, whether it’s providing emergency care, supporting people who may not have a regular provider, or collaborating with other members of the care team to meet the needs of our community. At a time when access to Primary Care is more important than ever, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the vital role Nurse Practitioners play in strengthening health care in Oxford County.