A Critical Analysis of Funding Models: Sustainability of the Nurse Practitioner Role in Canada

Numerous barriers inhibit the integration of full role components of nurse practitioners (NPs) in Canada. Although the number of NPs in Canada has increased substantially over the past decade, the contributions made by NPs to patient care and the health system are undervalued and insufficiently recognized. A critical analysis of the current state of Canadian NP funding models utilizing the Sustainability of Innovation Framework was conducted. Our analysis suggest that Canadian NP funding models need to be flexible, modern, affordable, responsive to the needs of a wide range of patient populations and support the work of health care leaders, funders, and policymakers in sustaining NP practice models across the nation.