Nurse Practitioner Retreat Day: Training, exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration

On May 26, 47 nurse practitioners (NPs) from the MUHC gathered at the Montreal General Hospital for a retreat focused on their professional development. This event is part of a series aimed at supporting the evolution of their roles and responsibilities through targeted thematic training, networking, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The presentations focused on strengthening key competencies, such as engaging in research, developing clinical policies and protocols, and creating collective orders. A discussion workshop followed, offering participants the chance to exchange ideas on the challenges related to their evolving roles and responsibilities within a changing healthcare system. 

“The goal was to explore, with NPs working on the ground, the barriers they face in their practice. We wanted to better understand their day-to-day needs in order to identify the training and measures we can implement over the coming year,” explained Stephanie Benhamron, Clinical Practice Consultant and co-organizer of the event.

In particular, participants expressed the need for structures that would facilitate communication in the field, allowing them to refer patients to NPs from other disciplines. They also explored ways to deepen their expertise through training or research and shared their respective projects with NPs from other specialties—reflecting a strong commitment to breaking down silos and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.

“When people think of an NP, they often think about their clinical work with patients—but for us at the MUHC, it’s also important that they grow in other aspects of their practice, such as research, quality improvement, and teaching,” said Sarah Asselin, NP Service Manager.

The next NP retreat will take place this fall.