Registered nurse

A day in the job

A typical shift starts with handover from the nurse before you. You check on each of your patients, give medications on schedule, watch for changes, chart what you see, talk with doctors and families, and get patients ready for tests or discharge. Most hospital jobs work 8- or 12-hour shifts, including nights and weekends.

Where you could work: Hospitals, clinics, community, long-term care

How to get there

1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an approved BC program (about four years)
2. Complete the clinical placements built into the program

British Columbia schools: University of British Columbia (opens in a new tab), University of Victoria (opens in a new tab), BCIT (opens in a new tab), Thompson Rivers University (opens in a new tab)

Licence and registration

1. Pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam
2. Register with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) before you practise
3. Renew every year

Official starting point: BC College of Nurses and Midwives (opens in a new tab)

Trained outside Canada?

Nurses educated outside Canada usually start with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), then apply to the BCCNM; HealthMatch BC offers free help along the way.