Chelsea Hobbs-Regular

 

“Becoming an NP will allow me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. I aspire to be a light in someone’s health story — helping clients navigate the system with confidence, providing positive care experiences, and bridging the gaps my own family has faced.

I want to be part of a bigger and better change for the health care system in our province. Newfoundland and Labrador needs NP-led care, and I’m committed to helping strengthen access, continuity, and equitable care for every community we serve.” 

My name is Chelsea Hobbs-Regular, and I am a Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. I’d like to wish every NP a very happy NP Week!

NPs are compassionate, knowledgeable, and solution-focused professionals who play a vital role in improving access to quality health care, and I am so proud to be enrolled in this program.

Through the research conducted in my recently completed (2024) MScN, along with my current NLHS project management position (working closely with family care teams and primary care providers), I have developed a keen interest in acquiring the credentials to work as an NP in this province. There is currently a considerable demand for NPs, both in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada, during what the media has described as a “health care crisis.”

“My interest lies in primary health care, and my goal is to help restore the health care system in this province to its more effective pre-COVID level. With issues such as overcrowded emergency departments and the shortage of primary care providers, I believe NPs can be instrumental in improving access and continuity of care. Research that I conducted in my MScN focused on this very topic, reinforcing my belief in the essential role NPs play in strengthening our system.”

During these past few years, I have managed to achieve great success in the full-time MScN program, while working full-time as a RN, and juggling commitments of familial health care. These experiences have shown me first-hand the great need for NP-led care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Becoming a NP will allow me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. I aspire to be a light in someone’s health story; to help clients navigate the system with confidence, provide positive care experiences, and bridge the gaps my own family has faced.

I want to be part of a bigger and better change for the health care system in our province. I feel that it is fiscally responsible for our government to further support the scope of NP-led care, and I plan to advocate for such. Practicing as an NP is not just a career goal for me; it feels like my vocation.

I encourage any nursing student to consider furthering their education and enrolling in the NP program. It has already been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and advocate for accessible, equitable health care in our beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador—a place I am proud to call home.

Chelsea Hobbs-Regular is a Memorial University MScN graduate and current Post Master’s NP student dedicated to improving access to primary health care across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Learn more about becoming a Nurse Practitioner:

If you’re inspired to take the next step in your nursing journey, Memorial offers two flexible Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) programs, including the Practicum stream that you can complete anywhere in the world: https://www.mun.ca/become/graduate/programs-and-courses/nursing/

Additional NP Resources:

• Newfoundland & Labrador Nurse Practitioner Association (NLNPA)
• Registered Nurses’ Union NL — “NP For That”
• Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada — NP Week Toolkit

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