Become Nurse

A nurse is a healthcare provider who supports and assists physicians in the treatment and care of patients. There are different types of nurses, including Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. A nurse can be employed in hospitals, emergency rooms, doctor’s offices, clinics and other healthcare facilities. A nurse may provide prescribed care to a large number of patients in a hospital or to an individual in private home healthcare settings.

Complete either an accredited diploma or a degree program
Conduct additional training for a specific area of healthcare
Follow specific instructions, guidelines and regulations
Physically able to move for long periods of the day
Have strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Nurses can have dramatically different responsibilities depending on the type of nurse and their specialized area of healthcare. Nurses can work in a hospital and be responsible for the constant care of a large number of patients in addition to administrative duties. Nurses can also provide healthcare to a single patient in their home or an assisted living facility. Specific duties can vary dramatically with the type of care required changes.

Perform tests to identify patient needs, including taking temperate, pulse, blood pressure and more
Complete questionnaires with patients and gather accurate medical information
Assist physicians and healthcare specialists perform exams, surgeries and other procedures
Monitor patients and provide both regular and urgent care as needed
Apply dressings, insert IVs, give needles and provide other medications
Teach patients and family members proper follow-up care techniques
Follow all rules and safety regulations and maintain a sterile environment
Comfort and support patients experiencing serious health issues

Registered nurses must at minimum complete a nursing program at an accredited university or college. A Bachelor’s of Science or a Master’s with a focus on nursing is not a requirement for all jobs but will be a strong asset. Upon graduation, they must be certified and complete an examination by the regulatory body of their province or territory, such as the College of Nurses of Ontario, in order to be officially registered. This includes educational training, practical experience, the RN Jurisprudence Examination and any and all other requirements specific to their jurisdiction.

Registered nurses are recruited by healthcare facilities in the public and private healthcare sectors.

The long-term employment outlook for registered nurses is considered good across the country. Over the next 10 years, there is predicted to be a labour shortage among registered nurses, with the number of people looking to enter the profession being fewer than the number of available job roles. This means that there will be opportunities for qualified job seekers looking to start a career as a registered nurse.

A registered nurse works in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, care facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres and healthcare facilities, where they assist doctors and provide direct care to patients under the direction of a physician.

According to the CNP code (national classification of occupations), here are the additional titles for a registered nurse: