Top Job Thursday

Registered Nurse

Thinking about a career as a registered nurse?
The possibilities in nursing are limitless. Nursing offers both men and women a wide range of opportunities for career challenges, travel, professional development and the personal satisfaction of working in a caring profession that helps people to get well or to stay healthy.

Where do registered nurses work?
You will find them in busy intensive care units and in small neighbourhood health clinics. They assess infant and toddler growth and development and promote healthy child rearing in the many northern, rural, urban and ethnic communities of Canada. They run health and safety programs in factories; they discuss policy in government; they work with children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. There are nurses doing research in all areas of nursing care. There are nurses teaching groups of clients and other nurses. Nurses participate in the administration of hospitals and other institutions.

Why should I consider a career as a registered nurse today?
This is a good time to consider nursing. In Canada, we are facing a nursing shortage since many nurses will soon retire. Changes in the health care system such as increasing health care services provided to patients at home and in the community, more illness prevention and health promotion, and growth in the elderly population continues to broaden the opportunity for nurses. Registered nurses earn salaries that compare with other professionals with a similar amount of education.

What kind of education do I need?
In the Atlantic provinces, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, new graduates are required to have a baccalaureate degree in nursing as the initial program. In all other provinces and territories candidates have a choice of a diploma or a baccalaureate degree in nursing as the initial program. Professional associations encourage nurses to obtain a degree.

Where can I find information about funding?
The schools of nursing can refer you to possible contacts regarding funding, student loans, or scholarships. Degree programs are offered in universities and in some university college institutes.


Where does graduate education fit in?
Specialty areas of nursing require experienced nurses and nurses who have gone on in their studies through specialty courses or graduate school. Canada has 21 master's programs in nine provinces. Doctoral programs in nursing are available in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. Some schools are now offering graduate courses by distance.

Jobs, the real story
This is an excellent time to enter nursing as there is a shortage. At some point in their life, every Canadian will require the services of a nurse. Since many nurses will soon retire, Canada needs bright young men and women to choose nursing as a career. Changes in the health care system continue to broaden the opportunities for nurses. An especially important trend is the increasing number of services that emphasize illness prevention and health promotion programs. Many of these are planned and staffed by registered nurses.

Registered nurses earn salaries that compare with other professionals with a similar amount of education. Health care is offered 24 hours a day, so expect to work some nights and weekends, like doctors, law enforcement officers and others who provide essential services.

As in any profession, salaries vary across the country, and people make more as they gain experience and responsibility. Graduates of degree programs usually have more opportunities for advancement, and in some provinces, make more money than graduates of diploma programs. Your provincial or territorial nurses' association can provide current salary ranges.

Canadian Nurses Association, http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/nursing/becoming/asacareer/default_e.aspx