31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
Lead statement
General duty registered nurses provide direct nursing care to patients, deliver health education programs and provide consultative services regarding issues relevant to the practice of nursing.
Main duties
- 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.
- Develop and implement employee health education programs and provide registered nursing care in private businesses and industry.
- 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.
- Provide nursing care, supportive counselling and life skills programming to patients in psychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, long-term care facilities and community-based settings.
- Engaged in research activities related to nursing, as self-employed or as employed by hospitals, public and private organizations and governments
- Provide consultative services to institutes, associations and health care organizations regarding issues and concerns relevant to the nursing profession and nursing practice.
- Provide leadership, advice and counsel on the provision of research-based care for specific patient groups within the care of particular health care organizations.
Employment requirements
- Completion of a university, college or other approved registered nursing program is required.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
- Additional academic training or experience is required to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
- Completion of a university or college registered psychiatric nursing program is required.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.
- A master's or doctoral degree in nursing is usually required for clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurses, nursing consultants and nursing researchers.
Example job titles
liaison nurse · emergency nurse · perinatal care nurse · palliative care nurse · casual duty nurse · critical care nurse · office nurse · doctor's office nurse · physician's office nurse · general duty nurse · intensive care unit (ICU) nurse · geriatric nurse · operating room (OR) nurse · pediatric nurse · bedside nurse · staff nurse · contagious disease transmission prevention nurse · geriatric care nurse · cardiology nurse technician · industrial nurse · registered industrial nurse · occupational health nurse · occupational medicine nurse · youth centre nurse · school health nurse · public health nurse · Red Cross nurse · school nurse · registered public health nurse · mental health nurse · psychiatric and mental health nurse · psychiatric nurse · registered psychiatric nurse (R.P.N.) · consultant nurse · nurse consultant · nursing researcher · occupational health nurse consultant · nursing counsellor · nursing adviser · nursing consultant
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $30.00 | $43.27 | $54.37 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $33.65 | $44.00 | $52.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $30.20 | $41.50 | $50.00 |
| New Brunswick | $31.00 | $44.77 | $49.00 |
| Quebec | $27.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Ontario | $29.00 | $42.00 | $55.00 |
| Manitoba | $34.00 | $45.00 | $52.40 |
| Saskatchewan | $38.00 | $47.13 | $52.20 |
| Alberta | $30.00 | $47.50 | $54.49 |
| British Columbia | $35.00 | $47.58 | $57.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.