How to become a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse
Official title: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
Also called: Tele-nurse, Ward nurse, Float nurse, Scrub nurse, Staff nurse, Clinic nurse, Office nurse, School nurse, Triage nurse, Bedside nurse, Liaison nurse, On-call nurse
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.
Main tasks
- 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
How to become one
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. Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories. Registered psychiatric nurses 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.
Ways in
- University: Nursing & Midwifery degrees, Offered by 12 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories. Registration with a regulatory body is required in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $84,377 a year The middle half earn $70,941 to $97,500.
- About 363,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 460,800 are projected by 2033. (+26.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.
Related jobs
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse?
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. Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories. Registered psychiatric nurses 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.
How much does a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $84,377 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $70,941 to $97,500.
Is a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 27% by 2033, from about 363,100 to about 460,800 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse?
Usually. 62% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03