Registered Practical
Nurse (RPN)
Registered Practical Nurses provide nursing
care usually under the direction of registered
nurses or other healthcare team members.
They provide comfort and emotional support
to patients while administering to their
practical needs. In addition to offering
basic bedside care, administering medications,
and completing charts, they also check vital
signs and keep track of intravenous therapy.
Patients benefit from their consistent and
personal attention.
The Cool Things They Do:
- Take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration rate
- Follow doctors’ orders to prepare and administer medications and/or injections
- Treat bedsores, apply dressings
- Feed, bath and dress patients
- Observe patients for negative reactions to medications or treatments and chart their intake and output
- Educate patients about health and safety
Working Conditions:
Most practical nurses work in hospitals or nursing homes. The majority of their time is spent on their feet and can require lifting and maneuvering patients. It also involves performing some unpleasant duties, such as dealing with difficult patients. Most work full or part-time hours that often include evening, weekend, and holiday work.
Most Registered Practical Nurses Work In:
- Acute-care hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Extended-care facilities
- Rehabilitation centres
- Companies
- Private homes
- Community health centres
Personal Characteristics/Skills:
- A genuine interest in helping people
- A caring and compassionate attitude
- Good communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- The ability to work independently and as part of a health care team
- Critical thinking and problem solving abilities
Education and Training Required (for Canada) :
College Diploma in Nursing
Length of Study/Training (for Canada) : 2 years post-secondary
Certification (s) (for Canada) :
National: Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE)
Ontario : Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario
Helpful High School Courses:
- Math
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Health
- English
Employment Prospects - GOOD
Canada’s aging population requires an ever-increasing supply of medical services. The shift in health care systems from institutional to home care for people with chronic illnesses and disabling conditions is creating increased demand for practical nurses.
Earnings:
RPNs are paid
on an hourly basis with wages ranging between
$13 to $21 an hour. RPNs working full-time
earn between $25,000 and $40,000 a year.
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Registered
Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses are highly-skilled health
care providers. They provide direct nursing
care to patients and may specialize in surgery,
neurology, emergency care, intensive care,
obstetrics, gerontology or other areas of
health care. They do everything from counselling
pregnant teenagers to saving heart attack
victims. They may work in hospitals, emergency
rooms, schools, nursing homes or with private
home care companies.
The Cool Things They
Do:
Assess the physical, mental
and emotional health of patients
Collect information on patients’ personal,
family and community background
Take vital signs and perform basic physical
exams
Design and carry out treatment plans for
patients that include bandaging a wound,
giving medications or injections, coordinating
treatments with other health care professionals,
or referring a patient to another caregiver
Operate technical equipment and monitoring
results
Assist in medical procedures or surgery
Inform patients about treatment options
and educate them about various health issues
Working Conditions:
Registered nurses can have extremely stressful
jobs, especially those who work in critical
care, emergency care, and operating rooms.
Their work requires a great deal of standing,
bending, and lifting as well as the emotional
strength needed to comfort and support patients
in distress. They work long, hard hours,
including weekends, holidays, and overnight
and are at constant risk of exposure to
sickness and disease.
• 9,500 to 10,000 nurses
are currently needed in Ontario.
Most
Registered Nurses Work In:
Hospitals
Health clinics
Nursing agencies
Physicians' offices
Companies and workplaces
Home care agencies and private homes
Schools
Government/Military
Personal Characteristics/Skills:
Genuine interest in helping people
Patience, compassion, and empathy
Strong interpersonal skills
Organizational and critical thinking skills
Ability to operate technical equipment
Good physical strength and stamina
Willingness to work hard
Education and Training
Required:
Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing
Length
of Study/Training : 4 years post-secondary
Certification (s):
National : Passing the Canadian
Nursing Examination
Ontario : Licensing by the
College of Nurses of Ontario
Helpful
High School Courses:
Math
Biology
Anatomy
Chemistry
English
Employment Prospects
- GOOD
Canada’s aging population requires
an ever-increasing supply of medical services
but experts say there will be a shortage
in the number of qualified nurses in the
near future. Many opportunities will exist
for new nurses entering the field.
Earnings:
Average annual salary: $35,000 to $60,000
although working overtime and being “on-call”
can raise earnings to more than $75,000
a year.
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Nurse
Practitioner
Nurse Pracitioners are registered nurses
who have a university degree in nursing
and a Master’s Degree or Practitioner
Certificate. They conduct assessments and
refer patients to physicians and in some
locations (often in the north) may treat
common maladies. They work under the supervision
of a physician.
The Cool Things
They Do:
Interview patients and recording medical
histories
Promote health education within the community
Conduct physical exams for children and
adults
Advise clients about nutrition and lifestyle
Diagnose and treat minor illnesses such
as colds, flu and infections
Treat minor injuries
Working Conditions:
Nurses work in clinics, offices, or treatment
rooms. Their job is often intense and fast-paced
and often involves dealing with patients
who have many problems. It requires physical
stamina and can be mentally stressful. They
may work alone with patients or alongside
doctors as part of a healthcare team and
often have to put in overtime hours.
Most
Nurse Practitioners Work In:
Community health centres
Hospital outpatient clinics
Family practice departments
Personal Characteristics/Skills:
A genuine interest in helping others
Patience, compassion, and emotional maturity
Well organized
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
Critical thinking skills and the ability
to be decisive under stress
Physical fitness and stamina
Ability to work alone or in a team
Education/Training
Required:
University degree in Nursing followed by
a Master’s degree or Certificate program
Length of Training
: 5-6 years post -secondary
Certification (s)
:
National : Pass national Nursing exam
Ontario : Licensure with the College of
Nurses of Ontario
Helpful High School
Courses:
Math
Biology
Chemistry
English
Employment Prospects
- GOOD
Canada’s aging population requires
an ever-increasing supply of medical services
and governments are increasing funding for
health care. More job openings exist in
this field than there are qualified people
to fill them.
Earnings:
Annual salary: $60,000 to $80,000.
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