8-12 December marks Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, and Northern Health is proud to recognise the vital contributions of our Nurse Practitioners to patient care, clinical leadership, and innovation across the health service.

Nurse Practitioners have been an integral part of Northern Health for more than a decade. Over the years, the service has grown significantly, with NPs now embedded across Emergency, Heart Failure, Stroke, Mental Health, Oncology, Haematology, Neonatal, and other specialty areas. Today, Northern Health boasts one of the most diverse and rapidly expanding NP workforces in Victoria.

Throughout the organisation, NPs lead advanced clinical assessment, diagnostics, prescribing, coordination of care, and patient-centred management, improving access, reducing delays, and supporting safer, more effective care pathways. Their leadership in education, research, mentorship, and quality improvement also plays a crucial role in strengthening the capability of our workforce.

“Northern Health has a strong history of creating and supporting Nurse Practitioner roles within the organisation. Northern Health leads many Victorian health services in the pursuit of advanced nursing practice and innovative and nurse led models of care. I am very proud of the wide range of specialties our Nurse Practitioners are positioned and the impact these roles have on high quality and safe care. Each Nurse Practitioner at Northern Health makes an impact on the community we serve,” says Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Northern Health. 

This NP Week, we honour the dedication, compassion, and expertise of our Northern Health Nurse Practitioners. Whether working at the bedside, responding to emergencies, delivering specialist clinics, or driving system-wide improvements, our NPs consistently demonstrate excellence and unwavering commitment to our community.

We thank every NP at Northern Health for the exceptional care you deliver each day. Your impact is tangible, valued, and deeply appreciated!

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Trudy Brown and Nicole Gauthier, both Nurse Practitioners at Northern Health.