Nurse Practitioner Week Spotlight: Rajesh Talpade

During Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Rajesh Talpade, who works in the Internal Medicine Clinic.

Education /Training

Masters of Nursing (NP stream)-distinction from Athabasca University, graduated in 2020.

Why did you decide to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

Having been part of the 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, I have great autonomy, and am able to include a more holistic approach into my care.

My role with the Internal Medicine Clinic (IMC)

Under the broader umbrella of the IMC, my role as the CHF/COPD NP patient navigator, is to assist patients with their chronic disease management, (CHF and COPD), better navigate the health care system. This is particularly true for patients who are leaving the hospital with a new diagnosis. Exacerbation of these conditions often result in frequent visits to the Emergency Department. Additionally, I support COPD and CHF patients throughout their hospital admission and at discharge. In collaboration with the patient and their MRP, I find ways to support admission avoidance and transitions planning by developing a post-discharge plan of care. Using an evidence based approach I work with the patient and their family to set goals, provide education and 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 seen by me, when they have no community family health care provider, and have only walk-in clinics to rely on. An extension of my role as NP navigator, is to hopefully connect patients 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 how well patients feel and progress with their chronic 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 community physicians, hospitalist physician group, ED nursing staff/management, who are accepting of my role as a Nurse Practitioner, and consider me a valuable addition to the team.