Amy Adams powers team care at Needham Health Home

Family practice nurse Amy Adams is helping deliver teambased primary care at the new Needham Health Home in Halifax, where clinicians and staff are working together to improve access and keep patients well.Since moving into family practice, she has found the work aligns closely with what matters most to her.

Family practice nurses are registered nurses who work in primary health care settings and are supported to complete additional training for the role. In Nova Scotia, registered nurses working in primary care are supported through a competency-based program designed to build the skills needed for family practice, including prevention, chronic disease management and patient education. The Needham Health Home opened in late March and includes eight family physicians, four family practice nurses and a strong administrative team.

“I actually look forward to coming to work every day. We’re able to make a difference by helping people stay well and get ahead of issues before they become more serious,” Amy says.

We work really well together. There’s a lot of support, communication and collaboration.”

Depending on the reason for the visit, patients may see a physician, a nurse, or both. Family practice nurses often manage their own appointments while collaborating with physicians as needed.

“Sometimes patients come in just to see the nurse and sometimes they’re booked with both,” she explains. “It really depends on what they need.”

Amy began her nursing career after graduating in 2013 from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. She gained experience in medicine, emergency care and post-anesthesia care before transitioning into primary care.

“I loved the teamwork but it’s a very high-stress environment,” she says about her time working in hospital settings. The experience helped her build strong clinical and communication skills but also highlighted the value of earlier intervention.

“In emergency care, you’re often seeing people later, when things have already gotten worse,” she says. “In family practice, we can get ahead of those issues.”

Today, her work spans all stages of life, from newborns to older adults. “We see patients across the full lifespan. That’s one of the things I love most about this job.”

Her day-to-day practice includes routine check-ups, immunizations, screening and chronic disease management. Many visits also include time for education, which she sees as a key part of her role.

“We do a lot of health promotion and prevention. We talk about nutrition, staying active and helping people understand how to take care of their health.”

Amy also supports patients in navigating the healthcare system and accessing available resources. This can include connecting patients with mental health supports, reviewing immunization and screening timelines. It can also involve helping them better manage chronic conditions.

“We get the time to really sit with patients. To listen to them, educate and make sure they feel supported,” she explains. “Having a family practice nurse in the clinic adds a lot of value for the patient.”

The Needham Health Home was announced in July 2025 as one of three new health homes set to open in Halifax Regional Municipality. Together, the new health homes are connecting more than 20,000 people from the Need a Family Practice Registry to ongoing care.

Outside of work, Amy’s days are just as full. She’s a busy mom to two young girls (age five and two) and spends much of her time keeping up with family life. When she can, she enjoys staying active, reading and spending time with loved ones. It’s something that helps her recharge for the work she looks forward to each day.

Photo of Amy Adams, RN.

To learn more about the role of a family practice nurse, view our patient handout here.