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Nurse, RN
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 speaking to collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary health team to plan, implement, co-ordinate and evaluate patient care in consultation with patients and their families; may teach and counsel patients and their families on health-related issues in collaboration with other health care providers
Interest in compiling information to monitor, assess, address, document and report symptoms and changes in patients' conditions; and in administering medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians or according to establish policies and protocols
Interest in operating medical apparatus or equipment; and in supervising licensed practical nurses and other nursing staff; may develop and implement discharge planning process on admission of patients
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.
Registered nurses may work on their own or as members of a health care team.
Key roles include:
In hospitals and other health care settings, these roles may include tasks such as:
Registered nurses may focus on providing a certain type of care (such as emergency or trauma care, or critical care) or working with a certain type of patients (such as children, or people with heart disease).
More and more, nurses work in community and workplace settings as well as health care settings. To learn more, see the Community Health Nurse and Occupational Health Nurse occupational profiles.
For information about psychiatric nursing duties, see the Psychiatric Nurse occupational profile.
Nursing can be demanding work (mentally, physically and emotionally). Nurses are often exposed to biological, physical and chemical hazards. In acute care settings, they work with very sick patients. They help lift patients and routinely handle items that weigh up to 20 kilograms.
Registered nurses often work shifts that include nights, weekends and holidays.
Registered 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 49 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 18, 2020 and Apr 21, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 48 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 48 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 48 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 48 |
| Personal Suitability: Accurate | 47 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 47 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 47 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 47 |
| Assess patients to identify appropriate nursing interventions | 46 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication | 46 |
To become a registered nurse in Alberta, graduates must meet the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta’s (CARNA) requirements. These include:
For a current list of approved programs, visit the CARNA website.
Schools may require proof of current immunization, health assessments, CPR and first aid training. They may also require a security clearance.
Registered nurses may take further courses to specialize in other health care areas. See the Canadian Nurses Association website for more information.
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 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 work for:
Some nurses are self-employed.
Advancing to supervisor or administrator may require a master’s degree in nursing or a related field. Registered nurses may also become nurse practitioners (NPs). They may do this by taking graduate courses and training in advanced clinical practice. For more information, see the Nurse Practitioner occupational profile.
Registered 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.
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.
Salaries for nurses vary depending on the employer and the nurse's hours, educational qualifications, experience 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 |
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) website: www.nurses.ab.ca
Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) website: nursesunions.ca
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) website: www.cna-aiic.ca
United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) website: una.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 19, 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.