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Community Health Nurse

Community health nurses provide nursing care in a variety of community-based settings. They may work in public health or primary care clinics, home health care, or community-based health services.

Also Known As

Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Registered Nurse

NOC Codes

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.

2006 NOC

  • 3152.3: Community Health Nurses

2006 NOC-S

  • D112: Registered Nurses

2011 NOC

  • 3012: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

2016 NOC

  • 3012: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

2021 NOC

  • 31301: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

2023 OaSIS

  • 31301.01: General duty registered nurses
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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:

  • Advance public health policies
  • Support communities to become healthy
  • Help support groups develop community solutions to local health problems
  • Deliver preventive health education programs, such as vaccination or screening programs, for all ages
  • Consider the needs of individuals, families, groups, or communities in all stages of life
  • Provide health support and counselling for people in crisis
  • Help people in health-related crises access resources
  • Develop and introduce programs to manage chronic diseases
  • Help control outbreaks of infectious disease
  • Provide care and manage resources during emergencies and disasters
  • Plan, provide, evaluate, and document nursing care
  • Coordinate patient care
  • Manage, lead, and supervise nursing teams
  • Advocate for clients
  • Visit and care for individuals from all walks of life
  • Ensure seamless care as clients move around in the health-care system
  • Work with others to design care plans
  • Coordinate resources to help people stay in their own homes safely and prevent unnecessary hospital visits
  • Provide acute, chronic, and end-of-life care to people in their own homes and in supportive-living settings

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:

  • Children (newborn, preschool, school-age, adolescent) including those with disabilities
  • Families
  • People preparing for child birth
  • Seniors, including those learning to live on their own
  • People or groups with disadvantages
  • Community groups such as schools, churches, and agencies that provide housing and social services
  • Individuals with acute or episodic illnesses
  • People with chronic disease who need end-of-life support
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Community health nurses may work in many settings They may work:

  • With First Nations and in schools and workplaces
  • In primary care networks and family clinics
  • In remote communities
  • In patient’s homes
  • In health centres within correctional facilities
  • Within public health and reproductive health clinics
  • In community mental-health programs
  • Outside on the streets

They often work independently and may be the only health-care provider in that community.

Community health nurses may:

  • Counsel clients over the phone
  • See clients in clinics and in their homes
  • Work regular weekday hours
  • Work some evenings and weekends

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), so they must have safety protocols in place.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Community Health Nurses

2006 NOC: 3152.3

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

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

METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information to keep patient records and to help prepare special studies; and in managing complex home care cases

DIRECTIVE

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

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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 for this NOC group 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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Community health nurses need:

  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Physical and emotional stamina
  • Communication skills (speaking, listening, and writing)
  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • The ability to work well with individuals, families, and groups from diverse social and cultural backgrounds
  • The ability to motivate people
  • The ability to work both alone and as part of a team
  • The ability to react quickly to unexpected situations
  • Supervisory skills (over those who may or may not be adequately trained)

They should enjoy:

  • Providing support and assistance to individuals and groups
  • Promoting and maintaining good health
  • Taking a methodical approach to gathering information and providing treatments
  • Directing the work of others

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

2016 NOC: 3012

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 113 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 28, 2023 and Dec 02, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Organized
Reliability
Accurate
Team player
Excellent oral communication
Judgement
Health benefits: Health care plan
Health benefits: Dental plan
Client focus
Health benefits: Vision care benefits
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

In Alberta, registered nurse (RN) status requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Registered nurses with  an enhanced scope of practice can consider a Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Practitioner program in order to become a nurse practitioner.

Required Education
Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

ABES (Alberta Business and Educational Services) - Calgary
Burman University
Northern Lakes College
Portage College

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Nurse - Registered

Registered nurses provide professional nursing services, deliver health-education programs, and provide consultative nursing services to promote, maintain, and restore client health.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Registered Nurses Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) is mandatory. Only registrants with an active practice permit may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:

  • Meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public
  • Teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession
  • Supervise registered members
  • Provide services to the public in their capacity as nursing students
  • Use the title Registered Nurse or the initials RN

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Nurse - Registered.

Additional Information

Registered nurses who wish to work as community health nurses may consider a Canadian Certificate in Community Health, or CCHN(C), through the Canadian Nurses Association.

CCHN(C) certification indicates an advanced level of professional competence in the field of community health.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Community health nurses work for:

  • Regional health authorities
  • Private nursing agencies such as the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON)
  • Charitable organizations and churches
  • Businesses related to health care

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. This could include 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.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
2016 NOC: 3012

95.8% of people in this occupational group work in:

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 examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
2021 NOC: 31301
High
Demand
38,200
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

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 examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
2016 NOC: 3012
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
695
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

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 examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

2016 NOC: 3012
Average Wage
$46.21
Per Hour
Average Salary
$72,818.00
Per Year
Average Hours
30.2
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3012 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

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.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $36.86 $38.09 $36.85 $36.86
Overall $43.63 $47.78 $46.21 $46.51
Top $49.34 $59.44 $56.12 $59.44

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.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
56%
56%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
33%
33%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
15%
15%
Vacancy Rate
5%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) website: www.nursesunions.ca

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) website: www.cna-aiic.ca

College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) website: www.nurses.ab.ca

United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) website: www.una.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. 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.

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