Specialized nurse practitioners (SNPs) are nurses with at least two years of experience and a master’s degree. As certified specialists, they can provide advanced medical and nursing care.
Services provided
Depending on their specialty, SNPs can provide a variety of services, including:
- Diagnose illnesses
- Diagnose mental disorders (except intellectual disabilities)
- Determine appropriate medical treatments based on the situation
- Request consultations with other medical professionals or specialists
- Provide pregnancy follow-up
- Provide palliative and end-of-life care
- Use procedures designed to diagnose or treat patients, including procedures that are invasive or high-risk for the patient (arterial puncture, intubation, etc.)
Since April 2026, any SNP may diagnose a mental disorder (except an intellectual disability). However, to do so, the SNP must meet certain conditions. Visit the website of the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec to learn more.
If needed, SNPs can also order or prescribe things like:
- Blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds and other diagnostic tests
- Medications, antibiotics and other substances (anticoagulants, inhalers, vitamins, etc.)
- Medical procedures (urinary catheter insertion, blood transfusion, etc.)
Unless the situation is beyond their scope of expertise, SNPs may perform these procedures without supervision by a physician.
To learn more about the role of SNPs, visit Quebec.ca and the website of the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec.
Have you heard of SNP clinics? If you do not have a family doctor, you may be able to receive primary care at an SNP clinic free of charge. An SNP may also be able to take you on as a patient.
Are you dissatisfied?
Does your complaint concern the quality of care and services provided by an SNP? Contact the service quality and complaints commissioner of the health and social services institution in question. If you are not satisfied with the findings or if you have not heard back from them after 45 days, please contact us. In these situations, the Protecteur du citoyen serves as a second recourse. Our services are free, and there are no complicated procedures.
