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Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Registered Nurse
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $36.48 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $45.40 |
| Top | $53.60 |
Interest in instructing to advise individuals and groups about health education and disease prevention, to teach maternal care, child care and other subjects related to individual and community welfare; and in participating in community needs assessment and program development
Interest in compiling information to keep patient records and to help prepare special studies; and in managing complex home care cases
Interest in operating medical equipment to perform disease screening and administer treatments; and in assisting persons with social, emotional and other problems to secure aid through community resources
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
The duties of a community health nurse can vary from one job to another. They can also vary from one assignment to another in the same job. In general, community health nurses:
Community health nurses may work with a variety of people. Or they may focus on specific groups in the community. For example, they may work mostly with:
Community health nurses work in many settings:
They may be the only health care provider in that community.
Community health nurses may:
Many home care nurses provide on-call support to clients and informal caregivers.
Community health nurses face the same workplace hazards as other nurses. They may be exposed to infectious diseases and chemicals. They may sustain back injuries and muscle strains from moving patients. They often work alone (beyond the controlled setting of a hospital).
Community health nurses need to possess:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 19 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 27, 2021 and Jan 11, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Assess patients to identify appropriate nursing interventions | 19 |
|---|---|
| Collaborate to plan, implement, co-ordinate and evaluate patient care | 19 |
| Monitor, assess, address, document and report symptoms and changes in patients' conditions | 19 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 18 |
| Personal Suitability: Accurate | 18 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 18 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 18 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication | 18 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 18 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 18 |
In Alberta, registered nurse (RN) status requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing. To work more closely with doctors and prescribe medicine, consider a master of science in nursing to become a nurse practitioner.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Registered nurses provide professional nursing services, deliver health education programs and provide consultative nursing services to promote, maintain, and restore patient health.
Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf] and Registered Nurses Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) is mandatory. Only registered members who have an active practice permit may provide the restricted activities specified in the Regulation and call themselves registered nurses or use the initials RN.
Registration requires successful completion of:
Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice.
Once registered, members then apply for a practice permit. Annual requirements including minimum number of practice hours and continuing competence must be met to keep the permit active. For detailed official information about registration requirements, visit CARNA.
Registered nurses who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory registered nurse body elsewhere in Canada may apply for registration in Alberta. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the CARNA website.
To learn about certification for internationally educated registered nurses, see Registered Nurse Registration Process.
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA)
11120 - 178 St.
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1P2
Canada
Call: 780-451-0043
Toll-free: 1-800-252-9392
Fax: 780-452-3276
Email: carna@nurses.ab.ca
Website: www.nurses.ab.ca
Registered nurses who wish to work as community health nurses may consider a Canadian Certificate in Community Health (CCHN-C) through the Canadian Nurses Association.
CCHN-C certification indicates an advanced level of professional competence in the field of community health.
Community health nurses work for:
Some work in primary care settings. Others are self-employed and work on a contract basis.
Advancement may mean focusing on a certain type of health care service (such as palliative care, health education, genetic counselling, or teen sexual health). It could also mean serving a specific client population (such as seniors or school children).
Community health nurses are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3012: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. In Alberta, 96% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 3012: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 1361 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the 1361 new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Earnings for community health nurses vary. They depend on the employer, location, and the nurse’s hours. They also depend on the nurse’s qualifications and responsibilities.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $35.47 | $37.60 | $36.48 | $36.86 |
| Overall | $40.00 | $47.05 | $45.40 | $46.38 |
| Top | $46.30 | $56.44 | $53.60 | $56.22 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $85,051 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $70,429 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $70,339 |
Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) website: www.nursesunions.ca
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) website: www.cna-aiic.ca
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) website: www.nurses.ab.ca
Community Health Nurses of Alberta (CHNAlberta) website: chnalberta.ca
United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) website: www.una.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.