During Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Meet Rajesh Talpade, who works in the Internal Medicine Clinic.
Rajesh Talpade, NP, Internal Medicine Clinic
Education/Training
I obtained my Masters of Nursing (NP stream)-distinction from Athabasca University and graduated in 2020.
Why did you decide to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
Having started my journey at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) as a proud Registered Nurse (RN) with the Emergency Department (ED) family for over 10 years, I wanted to continue providing better support to ED patients seen in my previous role as an RN. I have always been one to advance my practice on a regular basis, be it education, skill development, or in my role as an advanced practitioner. As an NP with the IMC (Internal Medicine Clinic), I have great autonomy, and am able to include a more holistic approach into my patient care.
What is your role with the Internal Medicine Clinic (IMC)?
Under the broad umbrella of the IMC, my role since 2020 as the CHF/COPD NP Patient Navigator, is to assist patients with their chronic disease management namely (CHF and COPD), to better navigate the nuances of our complex health care system. This is particularly true for patients who are leaving the hospital with a new diagnosis, or exacerbating with these conditions, often resulting in frequent visits to the ED. Additionally, I support COPD and CHF in-patients throughout their hospital stay working collaboratively to reduce Hospital length of stay.
Finding innovative ways to support admission avoidance and transition planning by developing a post-discharge plan of care, are always front and center with my care plan. Using an evidence based approach I work with the patient and their families to set goals, provide education/advocacy, and support the coordination of out-patient medical management and social supports.
What is the most challenging part of your profession?
I have come to appreciate how difficult it can be for patients, who have no community family health care providers, and only have walk-in clinics to rely on. An extension of my role as NP Navigator, is to hopefully connect patients seen by myself, with clinics accepting new patients in the community and following up with these patients a little more closely upon discharge.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
It is rewarding to see patients getting better/being more empowered with their chronic health conditions after I have intervened in their care while in Hospital. This is more a team effort, and I happy to be part of this dynamic team of professionals and allied health members. I’m very fortunate to work with a fantastic group of people, such as attending hospitalist physicians/NP’s/PA’s, ED MD’s/RN’s/RPN’s/management and all allied health professionals, who are accepting of my role as an NP, and consider me a valuable addition to the team.