There's growing calls for nursing practitioners to be used as a solution to severe workforce shortages in the health system. 

A piece written this week has called for better recognition and funding for these highly skilled nurses to lighten the load on GPs and in Emergency Departments. 

Deborah Harris, New Zealand's first registered nurse practitioner, says these experts would benefit from more awareness and funding.

"Because nurse practitioners are able to work independently and collaboratively to be able to diagnose and treat patients and their whanau, they are incredibly skilled people who can manage healthcare episodes."

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