Registered Nurses are skilled health care workers that provide direct nursing care to patients in and out of the hospital setting. Nurses can specialize in different areas of care like, surgery, neurology, ER, intensive care or other areas of health care. A registered nurse can do anything from counselling to saving heart attack victims. Many nurses work in hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, public health care settings or with private home care companies.
Duties of a Registered Nurse:
- Assess the patients physical, emotional and mental health
- Collect information on the patients
- Perform basic exams and take vital signs, blood pressure
- Carry out treatment plans for patients which include giving medications, coordinating treatments, bandaging wounds and giving injections
- Operate and monitor technical equipment
- Assist with medical procedures or surgery
- Educate patients and inform them of different treatment options
Work Requirements:
Being a registered nurse can be a very stressful job. The job requires alot of standing, lifting, bending and emotional strength to deal with the distress of the patients. The hours of work can be long and hard which could include weekends and holidays. The hours usually include shift work. A registered nurse is also exposed to sickness and disease on a regular basis.
Types of Work Environments:
- Hospitals
- Health Clinics
- Schools
- Government
- Private home care agencies
- Physicians offices
- Nursing agencies
Personality Requirements:
- Be genuine and interested in helping people
- Strong people skills
- Be patient, compassionate and have empathy
- Organized
- Capable of operating technical equipment
- Have physical strength and stamina
- Willing to work hard
Education: 4 years post-secondary
Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing
Certification:
National: Passing the Canadian Nursing Examination
Ontario: Licensing by the College of Nurses of Ontario
Courses taken during high school which will assist you in a career as a Registered Nurse (RN):
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Math
- English
- Anatomy
Job placement – after 4 years of post-secondary education your chances of finding a job are considered - Good
Many opportunities will exist for new nurses entering the field as the aging population in Canada shows an ever-increasing shortage in the number of qualified nurses in the near future.
Wages:
Average annual income: $35,000 to $60,000
Links:
Canadian Nurses Association
http://www.cna-nurses.ca
College of Nurses of Ontario
http://www.cno.org
Ontario Nurses Association
http://www.ona.org/index.html
Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario
http://www.rnao.org
Canadian Nurses Foundation
http://www.canadiannursesfoundation.com
American Nurses Association (US)
http://www.ana.org
Job Futures: Practical Nurse
http://jobfutures.ca/noc/3233.shtml
