Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses (RN) provide professional nursing services, deliver health education programs and provide consultative nursing services to promote, maintain and restore patient health.

Registered Nurses may practice in areas such as surgery, obstetrics care, psychiatric care, critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, community health, public health, mental health, occupational health, emergency care, rehabilitation or oncology. 

An Exciting Field of Work

In general, Registered Nurses:

• Assess patients to identify appropriate nursing interventions
• Provide direct nursing care
• Monitor patient symptoms and evaluate reactions and progress
• Coordinate patient care activities to ensure continuity of health services
• Provide counseling and support to patients in their self-care decisions and actions in situations of health, illness, injury and disability
• Collaborate with other members of health care teams regarding patient treatments and examinations
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by a physician or according to established policies and protocols
• Prepare patients and assist surgeons during operations
• Assist in childbirth and care for newborns and their families
• Treat injuries or illness, and manage chronic diseases 
• Educate patients about health care
• Participate in research activities
• May provide direction to licensed practical nurses and other nursing staff 

Personal Characteristics / Skills

• Problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Good organizational skills
• Good judgment and ability to make decisions quickly, especially in stressful situations
• Patience, understanding and a caring attitude
• Flexibility and enthusiasm
• Ability to lead and work co-operatively with others
• Maturity and self-discipline
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Education and Training

A bachelor's degree in nursing is required to work in this field. 

Education program offered in New Brunswick

Nursing programs are offered in New Brunswick by the following educational institutions:

• University of New Brunswick – English program
• Université de Moncton  – French program

Length of Study / Training

4.0 years

Licence and certification

In New Brunswick, Registered Nurses must be members of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick and pass the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination.

Helpful High School Courses

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Math

Employment and Common Working Conditions

Registered Nurses work in a variety of settings, such as:

• Hospitals
• Nursing homes and extended care facilities
• Rehabilitation centres
• Doctors' offices
• Clinics
• Community agencies
• Companies
• Schools
• Home health care program and services

Registered Nurses work in a variety of settings and often work with other health professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. Depending on where they are employed, they may work shifts that include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Employment Prospects - Very GOOD

With the increasing number of upcoming retirements and our aging population, it is expected that there will be many opportunities in this field.