Career guide
Registered nurse
Registered nurses assess patients, plan and give care, give medications and treatments, teach patients and families, and coordinate care with the rest of the team.
- StatusRegulated profession
- Training4-year degree
- Pay scale$30.00–$54.37 an hour
- Openings now43
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
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Dalhousie, St. Francis Xavier and Cape Breton universities offer one)
- Complete the clinical placements built into the program
Nova Scotia schools: Dalhousie University School of Nursing (opens in a new tab)
Licence and registration
- Pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam
- Register with the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator
- Renew every year
Official starting point: Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator (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 Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator.
Important: Requirements can change and may differ for internationally educated professionals. CareZelo links to official bodies but does not determine eligibility.