Registered Nurses (NOC 3152)
Description
This unit group includes registered nurses, and graduates of a nursing program who are awaiting registration (graduate nurses).They provide direct nursing care to patients, deliver health education programs and provide consultative services regarding issues relevant to the practice of nursing. They are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, extended-care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctor's offices, clinics, community agencies, companies and private homes, or they may be self-employed.
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Example Titles
- clinical nurse
- community health nurse
- critical care nurse
- graduate nurse
- intensive care nurse
- nurse researcher
- nursing consultant
- occupational health nurse
- private duty nurse
- registered nurse (R.N.)
- extended practice nurse
- advanced practice nurse
>> View all titles
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Classified Elsewhere
- Head Nurses and Supervisors (3151)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (3233)
- Nursing service managers (in 0311 Managers in Health Care)
- Registered practical nurses (in 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses)
- Registered Psychiatric Nurses (31524)
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Duties
General duty registered nurses perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assess patients to identify appropriate nursing interventions
- Collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary health team to plan, implement, co-ordinate and evaluate patient care in consultation with patients and their families
- Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by a physician or according to establish policies and protocols
- Monitor, assess, address, document and report symptoms and changes in patient's condition
- Operate or monitor medical apparatus or equipment
- Assist in surgery and other medical procedures
- May supervise licensed practical nurses and other nursing staff
- May develop and implement discharge planning process on admission of patients
- May teach and counsel patients and their families on health-related issues in collaboration with other health care providers.
Occupational health nurses:
- develop and implement employee health education programs and provide registered nursing care in private businesses and industry.
Community health nurses:
- provide health education and registered nursing care in public health units and through home visits, manage complex home care cases, participate in community needs assessment and program development, conduct disease screening and deliver immunization programs.
Nursing consultants:
- provide consultative services to institutes, associations and health care organizations regarding issues and concerns relevant to the nursing profession and nursing practice.
- Nursing researchers engaged in research activities related to nursing are self-employed or are employed by hospitals, public and private organizations and governments.
Clinical nurses:
- provide leadership, advice and counsel on the provision of research-based care for specific patient groups within the care of particular health care organizations.
- Extended practice nurses independently prescribe medications, order and manager results of screening and diagnostic tests, and perform minor surgical and invasive procedures.
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Skills
Nurses need the following abilities and skills:
Essential skills:
- able to relate well to a wide range of people and gain their confidence,
- ability to work independently and as a member of a team,
- good problem-solving and decision-making skills,
- emotional stability, maturity, integrity, reliability, realistic self appraisal,
- ability to cope with stressful situations,
- physical stamina and manual dexterity,
- good listening and observational skills,
- good verbal and written communication skills,
- knowledge of computers.
Technical skills:
- ability to operate complex technical medical equipment
- supervisory skills in directing and instructing patient support networks on medical care,
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Employment Requirements
- Completion of an approved university or college program is required for practice as a registered nurse in Manitoba.
- For practice, graduates must be registered by the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba.
- In Manitoba, professional status for the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) is established by legislation and administered by the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba.
- Extended practice (RN (EP)) nurses must have a Certificate of Practice from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba.
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Terms & Conditions
Registered nurses work indoors. The majority of nurses work shifts, usually on rotation, which involves working nights, evenings and weekends. Nurses who are employed in public health nursing, consulting or research are more likely to work regular office hours.
The majority of the workforce work full time hours (65%). New entrants may work casually until a permanent part time or full time position is secured. Self-employment is this occupation is rare.
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Earnings
$62,600 per annum - starting
$71,400 per annum - average
$77,300 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Nursing, offers the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Nursing (B.N.) - Fort Garry campus site [4 years; University 1 plus 3 years.
- Bachelor of Nursing (B.N.) - Norway House sites [1 year in Norway House + 3 years at another program site]
- Baccalaureate Program for Registered Nurses (BPRN) a program for diploma-prepared registered nurses Master of Nursing (MN)
- The Health Careers Access program and the Professional Health Access programs are available to aboriginal applicants.
Brandon University offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Nursing (B.N.) [4 years], http://www.brandonu.ca/academic/healthstudies/programs/BN/BNprogram.asp
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.N.) a post diploma program for registered nurses
- Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing (B.Sc.P.N.)
- Bachelor of Science in Mental Health (B.Sc.P.N.) a post diploma program for registered psychiatric nurses
University College of the North offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Nursing (B.N.) University College of the North/University of Manitoba Joint Baccalaureate Program [4 years]. Students can complete all 4 years at University
- College of the North - The Pas or Thompson campus. http://www.ucn.ca/ics
- Preparation for Health Careers (PHC), and ACCESS program for northern residents to enter the health field
Red River College offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Nursing (B.N.) - Red River College/University of Manitoba Joint Baccalaureate Program [4 years]. http://www.rrc.mb.ca
- Red River College offers a two-year Accelerated Nursing diploma program Graduates of this program will become registered nurses. If they choose, at any time following
- graduation, they may enroll in the 12-month baccalaureate program for diploma nurses offered by the University of Manitoba, or Brandon University. As well, graduates will be eligible for advanced standing in the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Management program at the University of Minnesota-Crookston.
- Red River College offers a one-year College Preparation for Nursing certificate program.
- Red River College offers specialized courses pertaining to Critical care nursing, maternal and child courses, geneology and others.
- Red River College offers the Southern Nursing Program (SNP), and ACCESS program to provide training to southern residents to obtain a nursing degree
Assiniboine Community College offers the following programs:
- Assiniboine Community College offers a 15-month program in Practical Nursing at the Brandon Campus, Winnipeg, and in rural Manitoba communities that change from
- year to year. Graduates of this program are granted credits to continue their education at the University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Nursing program, Red River
- College, Registered Nursing Diploma, and Brandon University, Registered Psychiatric Nurse program. http://www.assiniboine.net
- Assiniboine Community College also offers a Practical Nursing Refresher program through distance education.
The following are offered with instruction in French:
- Collège Universitaire St. Boniface through the University of Ottawa offers a Baccalauréat Science Infirmières. http://www.ustboniface.mb.ca/
- Baccalauréat Sciences infirmières is also offered at l'Université d'Ottawa, l'Université. http://www.sante.uottawa.ca/esi/index_temp.htm
- Laurentienne et l'Université de Moncton, l'Université de Montréal, Université Laval, Université de Sherbrooke, Université du Québec.
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Career Paths
The majority of nurses work in community health centres, hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities.
Registered nurses may specialize in areas such as emergency care, oncology, psychiatric care, critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, extended care, palliative care, personal care homes, community health, rehabilitation or occupational health.
Registered nurses may take further training, or with appropriate experience, qualify to take the examination for Extended Practice nurses (RN (EP)).
Registered nurses may progress to supervisory and managerial positions with experience. Some nurses are self-employed in private health care.
Some nurses may work as health care aides or practical nurses prior to studying to become registered nurses. Some registered nursing programs will accept study credits from the practical nursing program.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for registered nurses are expected to be very good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 10,445.
Manitoba is experiencing a shortage of registered Nurses in all regions, but the greatest need is in smaller rural, remote, and northern communities. Opportunities are available for casual, part-time, temporary, and summer relief workers. Employment opportunities for permanent full-time work are increasing. The most acute shortages are for nurses with experience working in intensive care, emergency and operating room units, as well as for those with experience working with the elderly.
Part time work is common in this occupation and is one of many factors affecting the supply and demand for nursing staff. According to the 2006 Census, 36% of nurses in Manitoba worked part time compared to 23% for all occupations. The percentage of nurses working part time nurses has declined since 2001 when 55% worked part time. The age profile for nurses is older than for all occupations and given the strenuous nature of the work, there will be many openings created by retirements in the forecast period.
The health sector is experiencing a long term trend towards increased service delivery in community settings as opposed to hospitals. This will influence the kind of skills required of nurses. In 2005, a new regulation recognizing extended practice nurses (RNEP), came into effect in Manitoba. The number of RNEPs will increase as more nurses pass the national qualifying examination. These skills are particularly beneficial in isolated facilities in rural and northern Manitoba as RNEPs can take on some of the duties normally associated with doctors.
Employment opportunities for nurses are fairly evenly distributed across the Province. The majority of registered nurses work in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector (97%). Within this sector, 71% work in hospitals, 18% in nursing and residential care facilities and 11% in community based medical offices and clinics.
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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Other Related Information...
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