INUVIK - After 18 years as a registered nurse in Inuvik, Valerie Jefferd wanted to take the next step, both for her career and for the health of her community - she decided to become a nurse practitioner.

"I wanted to advance my knowledge and I wanted more autonomy in my career," she said.

Jane Smith, a nurse practitioner and director of client services for the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority, shares a conversation with Cecile Bleakney while she gets her blood pressure checked by Valerie Jefferd, the town's other nurse practitioner, at the Inuvik Regional Hospital on April 1. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"As a nurse practitioner I make decisions on my own. I am able to critically think. I work within a team.

"I can be more politically active in health promotion, from advocating for more mental health services to an addictions facility in Inuvik."

Jane Smith is Inuvik's other nurse practitioner. She splits her time working at the hospital's long-term care facility and as the director of client services for the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority (BDHSSA) .

She said because it's difficult to retain doctors in Inuvik and the rest of the territories, the role of a nurse practitioner is becoming increasingly important.

"The doctors are really busy; they have a huge load," she said. "When a very sick patient is flown in from Ulukhaktok, that's a priority. They have to focus on that. If there's somebody in a bad snowmobile accident flown in from Tuk, they have to deal with that.

"At the end of the day our goal is to provide the necessary care because people with chronic illnesses often drop through the cracks of the health care system."

Now that Jefferd is a newly-licensed nurse practitioner, people suffering from chronic illnesses will have easier access to health care.

She just finished up two years of upgrading, which included a masters in nursing.

Since January, Jefferd's been working Monday to Friday at the Arctic Family Medical House, tending to patients with long term health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure as well as heart and kidney disease.

Beyond the scope of a registered nurse, Jefferd is qualified to carry out various other medical tasks, including diagnosing diseases or conditions, ordering X-rays and ultrasounds as well as prescribing certain drugs.

Jefferd works with each patient evaluating their condition. Depending on the person's needs, she might schedule one or several follow up appointments each month.

She said the objective is to ensure the person's condition remains manageable and doesn't get worse.

Smith said the demand is so great that BDSSA is working on plans to extend clinic hours on evenings from Tuesdays to Thursdays. There are currently only four full-time doctors in Inuvik.

Along with doctors, Jefferd works with a variety of other health care officials, including a nutritionist, diabetes educator and physiotherapist.

While the GNWT said its priority is to have a nurse practitioner for every community in the territories, several remain without one.

Smith said the town is lucky to have one.

"It takes a team to give our patients better care," said Smith. "We're very fortunate in Inuvik that we have that team."