The Dauphin Primary Care Outreach Clinic is one of four sites within the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region welcoming a new nurse practioner.

“I’ve been a nurse for 11 years; the majority of my career was in the outpatient department/ER at the Ste. Rose General Hospital,” said Jolynn Harder, who will practise at the Dauphin Primary Care Outreach Clinic.

“I started the Masters of Nursing-NP program-in 2022 through the University of Manitoba.”

Upon receiving their full designation, Nurse Practitioners work independently, are accountable to their practice and can provide many services, including:

• Completing assessments and physical exams, including pap tests and pre-natal exams.
• Diagnosing and managing common medical issues and chronic conditions.
• Prescribing medications and therapies.
• Ordering diagnostic tests like blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs.
• Performing minor procedures like suturing, biopsies, wart and mole removal; and
• Referring to other health providers, including specialists.

Other communities welcoming new nurse practioners include Rossburn/Shoal Lake, Melita and Canupawakpa First Nation, as well as the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic.

PMH CEO Treena Slate said recruitment and retention of health-care professionals remains a top priority for the health region and the province, and growing the Grad NP program within the region continues to see great results.

“Along with our health partners and stakeholders, which include our communities, we continue to look for ways to support, recruit and retain health care staff within PMH. By having NPs provide services from base locations across our region, we can maintain the provision of primary care closer to home,” Slate said.

Having four new nurse practioners working in the region is great news for the Westman community, said Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.

“Nurse practitioners are an excellent addition to primary health services and their unique focus on patient and client-centered care makes them essential partners in creating healthier communities.” the minister said.

“We welcome these new recruits and wish them a fulfilling career in health care here in Manitoba.”

Slate added PMH is collaborating with six more NP students who are currently completing the second year of their programs and who are expected to begin working within the health region next fall.

For those looking for a nurse practitioner or family doctor, the Province has a program to help clients find new primary care providers. Visit www.manitoba.ca/familydoctorfinder or call toll-free to 1-866-690-8260, to find out more. PMH NPs work with this program when taking on new patients.

As of November 2025, the region has 31 NPs providing service within 30 PMH communities, 11 of which are First Nation communities.