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Nurse Practitioner: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Are you keen to take nursing to a new level? Can you lead a team? Are you responsible, understanding, and organized? Then you may want to think about a career as a nurse practitioner.
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Occupations in Alberta

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with additional experience, education, and training in advanced clinical practice. They conduct comprehensive health assessments, diagnose health conditions, and treat and manage acute and chronic illness within a holistic model of care. NPs order and interpret screening and diagnostic tests, perform procedures, and prescribe medications and therapeutic interventions.

Nurse practitioners may serve as primary care providers. They work independently across the spectrum of health services, such as acute care, primary care, community health, continuing care, and specialty areas of health and emergency care.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Advanced Practice Nurse, NP, Nurse, Primary Health Care Practitioner

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: Registered Nurses

2006 NOC-S

  • D112: Registered Nurses

2011 NOC

  • 3124: Allied primary health practitioners

2016 NOC

  • 3124: Allied primary health practitioners

2021 NOC

  • 31302: Nurse practitioners

2023 OaSIS

  • 31302.00: Nurse practitioners
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Nurse practitioners diagnose, treat, and manage various physical and mental illnesses. They use their in-depth nursing and clinical knowledge to make decisions about their client’s health care. They can also perform specialized procedures within their legislated scope of practice.

Duties and responsibilities vary from province to province. In Alberta, nurse practitioners may:

  • Complete advanced, thorough, and focused health assessments
  • Consult and work with physicians and others
  • Diagnose health problems and illness
  • Counsel and support clients regarding health problems
  • Engage in programs to promote community health
  • Manage and carry out client care on an ongoing basis
  • Manage complex chronic illness
  • Monitor client’s responses to therapeutic interventions
  • Order and interpret diagnostic tests
  • Perform procedures (invasive or non-invasive) as appropriate
  • Prescribe medications and therapeutic interventions (including authorizing cannabis where medically appropriate)
  • Research and critically evaluate evidence for the best care available
  • Read, compile, and integrate research into their work
  • Refer clients to other health-care providers as needed

Nurse practitioners are registered in one of four streams of practice. These include Adult, Child (with or without a neonatal specialty), Family / All Ages, and Neonatal.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Nurse practitioners work in a range of health-care settings, sometimes in remote areas. They may work regular clinic hours and be on call for emergencies. They might work shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nurse practitioners are often exposed to infectious diseases and chemicals. They may need to handle items weighing up to 20 kilograms. Their work can be mentally, emotionally, and physically demanding.

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.

Registered Nurses

2006 NOC: 3152

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest combinations are unique to each of the occupations in this National Occupational Classification (NOC) group. Please consult the 2003 NOC Career Handbook for further information.

METHODICAL

Interest combinations are unique to each of the occupations in this National Occupational Classification (NOC) group. Please consult the 2003 NOC Career Handbook for further information.

DIRECTIVE

Interest combinations are unique to each of the occupations in this National Occupational Classification (NOC) group. Please consult the 2003 NOC Career Handbook for further information.

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

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Nurse practitioners need:

  • Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
  • Patience, understanding, and a caring attitude
  • Flexibility and enthusiasm
  • Initiative to evaluate and improve outcomes
  • Speaking and writing skills
  • Organizational skills
  • The ability to make good decisions quickly under stress
  • The ability to lead and work with others on a team
  • Good health

They should enjoy:

  • Working with and consulting others
  • Solving problems
  • Providing care
  • 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

Allied primary health practitioners

2016 NOC: 3124

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 73 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 30, 2021 and Oct 15, 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.
Tasks: Advise patients on health care
Judgement
Accurate
Dependability
Effective interpersonal skills
Flexibility
Tasks: Examine patients and take their medical histories and consult with physicians and other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health
Initiative
Team player
Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner by the province/territory of work
Tasks: Advise patients on health care 56
Construction Specialization: Judgement 49
Construction Specialization: Accurate 48
Construction Specialization: Dependability 48
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills 48
Construction Specialization: Flexibility 48
Tasks: Examine patients and take their medical histories and consult with physicians and other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health 48
Construction Specialization: Initiative 48
Construction Specialization: Team player 47
Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner by the province/territory of work 45
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 6 years post-secondary

Nurse practitioners start their careers as registered nurses. They must:

  • Complete 4,500 hours of work in clinical registered nursing before applying for a nurse practitioner education program
  • Graduate from a master’s degree in nursing or a post-master’s certificate or diploma from an approved nurse practitioner program
  • Pass the nurse practitioner registration exam for their chosen stream of practice
  • Successfully complete the CRNA Jurisprudence courses
Related Education

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

Athabasca University
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
University of Calgary
University of Lethbridge

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 Practitioner

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced training in health assessment, health promotion, and illness prevention. They diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses.

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) on the nurse practitioner register is mandatory. Only registrants 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
  • Are students who provide services to the public
  • Call themselves nurse practitioners or NPs

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

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Nurse practitioners work in many different health-care settings. These may include hospitals, community-based health centres, and clinics. Many work in small or remote areas that do not have local doctors.

Nurse practitioner is not an entry-level position.

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.

Allied primary health practitioners
2016 NOC: 3124

94.6% 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.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
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.

Nurse practitioners
2021 NOC: 31302
High
Demand
< 1500
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
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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

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

Allied primary health practitioners
2016 NOC: 3124
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
16
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.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Salaries for nurse practitioners vary depending on the employer. Some are non-unionized and therefore negotiate their own salaries. Some have their own practice, where they are paid directly by the client.

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.

Allied primary health practitioners

2016 NOC: 3124
Average Wage
$54.46
Per Hour
Average Salary
$97,452.00
Per Year
Average Hours
34.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3124 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 $41.49 $50.43 $46.84 $48.27
Overall $46.35 $55.62 $54.46 $55.37
Top $49.28 $62.91 $60.62 $62.91

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
ALL INDUSTRIES $97,452
Health Care & Social Assistance $97,773
Public Administration $92,626

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
80%
80%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
28%
28%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
0%
0%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Health, Recreation and Human Services
    • Community Care Services
    • Health Care Services
    • Human and Social Services
  • Mathematics
  • Science
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Alberta Union of Nurse Practitioners (AUNP) website: www.aunp.ca

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

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

Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta (NPAA) website: albertanps.com

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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