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 | $36.97 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $42.88 |
| Top | $48.76 |
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:
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.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Registered nurses assist individuals, families, groups and communities to achieve their optimal physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and well being; assess, diagnose and provide treatment and interventions and make referrals; prevent or treat injury and illness; teach, counsel and advocate to enhance health and well being; co-ordinate, supervise, monitor and evaluate the provision of health services; teach nursing theory and practice; manage, administer and allocate resources related to health services; and engage in research related to health and the practice of nursing.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Registered Nurses Profession Regulation registration with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) is mandatory if you meet the competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members who provide professional services to the public. Registered members, who are authorized by the College, provide restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members may call themselves registered nurses or nurses.
Registration requires successful completion of: (1) an approved nursing education program or equivalent, and (2) the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the CARNA website or contact the CARNA.
Registered nurses who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered nurses in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To find more information on the certification process for internationally educated registered nurses, see Registered Nurse Registration Process on the AlbertaCanada.com website.
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
11620 - 168 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5M 4A6
Phone number: 780-451-0043
Toll-free phone number: 1-800-252-9392
Fax number: 780-452-3276
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:
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 | $36.86 | $38.09 | $36.97 | $36.86 |
| Overall | $42.59 | $44.64 | $42.88 | $42.61 |
| Top | $48.37 | $50.67 | $48.76 | $48.37 |
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.
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $80,171 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $80,129 |
| Public Administration | $72,548 |
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
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
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.