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Nurse, Practical 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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Licensed practical nurses work in a range of health-care roles. These may include acute care, long-term care, community and primary health clinics, education, occupational health, public health, and leadership roles. Depending on the setting, they may perform many different tasks. They may work with other health-care professionals. These may include registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, doctors, unregulated health-care workers, nurse practitioners, and physiotherapists. Licensed practical nurses carry out many nursing duties independently. Their work depends on the nature and complexity of the care clients need. In many cases, licensed practical nurses are in leadership roles. They assign tasks to health-care aides and manage client and family concerns.
In general, licensed practical nurses:
Nursing can be physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding. Licensed practical nurses are often exposed to clients who have contagious diseases. They may also work with hazardous materials. Depending on the setting, licensed practical nurses may work shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. They may need to transfer patients with decreased mobility or lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms.
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.
Interest in compiling information by monitoring patients' progress and monitoring established respiratory and intravenous therapy; in evaluating effectiveness of nursing interventions; and in administering medication and observing and documenting therapeutic effects
Interest in instructing patients and their families by providing safety and health education; in providing pre-operative and post-operative personal and comfort care; and in consulting with members of the healthcare team
Interest in operating medical equipment to perform nursing interventions such as taking vital signs, applying aseptic techniques including sterile dressing, ensuring infection control, monitoring nutritional intake and conducting specimen collection
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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.
Licensed practical nurses need:
They should enjoy working with people and using medical and computer equipment.
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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 19, 2023 and Jul 02, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Eligible for licensure as a practical nurse by the province/territory of work | 64 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 61 |
| Tasks: Monitor patients' progress, evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions and consult with appropriate members of healthcare team | 61 |
| Tasks: Provide nursing services, within defined scope of practice, to patients based on patient assessment and care planning procedures | 60 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : CPR Certificate | 59 |
| Tasks: Provide safety and health education to individuals and their families | 56 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : First Aid Certificate | 55 |
| Security and Safety: Criminal record check | 48 |
| Work Setting: Nursing home/home for the aged | 48 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 45 |
In Alberta, licensed practical nurses must graduate from an approved practical nursing education program, or complete other education considered similar by the Registrar of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA). Practical nursing programs combine classroom learning, lab instruction, and clinical experience in different health-care settings.
Legislation requires licensed practical nurses who hold advanced authorization to complete an approved advanced practice program or advanced certification. The CLPNA registrar must authorize them to perform in that capacity. Areas of advanced practice include:
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.
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.
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.
Licensed practical nurses provide care for individuals, families, and groups in a variety of health-care settings. They may practice independently or as part of a health-care team.
Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Licensed Practical Nurses Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) is mandatory. Only registered members may perform restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Nurse - Licensed Practical.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Licensed practical nurses work in areas such as:
They can also sometimes be self-employed.
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.
Licensed practical nurses
2016 NOC: 3233
97.7% 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.
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.
Source: 2024-2026 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.
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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
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.
Salaries vary widely depending on the employer and on the employee’s responsibilities, experience, and training.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Government of Alberta website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
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.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $25.00 | $28.85 | $27.29 | $27.04 |
| Overall | $26.25 | $34.46 | $31.91 | $32.49 |
| Top | $29.16 | $37.16 | $35.00 | $35.42 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $51,571 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $51,095 |
| Public Administration | $71,103 |
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) website: www.clpna.com
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) website: www.aupe.org
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.
