Born in Bathurst, NB, Martha obtained her Bachelor of Nursing in 1985 from the University of New Brunswick (UNB). She received her Master of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner stream, from UNB in 2003. She started her collaborative practice with Dr. Natalie Cauchon at the Clinique Médicale Nepisiguit in 2004. She was president of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick from 2009 to 2011. In 2013 she started working as a nurse practitioner with the Pabineau First Nations Health Centre. She is presently a nurse practitioner preceptor for NP students from various Canadian universities as well as a mentor for undergraduate nursing students of UNB – Bathurst campus. She also participates in several provincial and national NP committees.

Recommended Definition: Nurse Practitioner

(The following recommendation was developed through CNPI’s consultation process)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with additional educational
preparation and experience who possess and demonstrate the competencies to
autonomously diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe
pharmaceuticals and perform specific procedures within their legislated scope of practice.

Recommended Role Description: Nurse Practitioner

(The following recommendation was developed through CNPI’s consultation process)
Nurse practitioners are experienced registered nurses with additional education
who possess and demonstrate the competencies required for nurse practitioner
registration or licensure in a province or territory. Using an evidence-based,
holistic approach that emphasizes health promotion and partnership
development, nurse practitioners complement, rather than replace, other healthcare
providers. Nurse practitioners, as advanced practice nurses, blend their indepth
knowledge of nursing theory and practice with their legal authority and
autonomy to order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals,
medical devices and other therapies, and perform procedures.