Overview
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 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, doctors' offices, clinics, community agencies, companies, private homes and public and private organizations or they may be self-employed.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
General duty registered nurses
Assess patients to identify appropriate nursing interventions
Collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary health team to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate patient care in consultation with patients and their families
Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by a physician or according to established policies and protocols
Monitor, assess, address, document and report symptoms and changes in patients' conditions
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.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$67,782
$93,852
$108,451
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
Strong job outlook
British Columbia
15,140expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Registered nurses
Completion of a university, college or other approved registered nursing program is required.
Additional academic training or experience is required to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
A master's or doctoral degree in nursing is usually required for clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurses, nursing consultants and nursing researchers.
Additional information
Nurses trained exclusively as registered psychiatric nurses (RPN) are regulated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. In all other provinces and territories, registered nurses (RN) may work as psychiatric nurses without separate registration.
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses may progress to supervisory and managerial positions with experience.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Registered nurses in B.C.
- BCCNM Registration - RNs
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Registered nurses in B.C.
- Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - RNs
BCCNM Registration - RNs
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To practice as a nurse in B.C., you must register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - RNs
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse in B.C., you may choose to become certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Eligibility is achieved by being a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or nurse practitioner, work experience, and/or specialty education.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.