Nursing jobs are extremely diverse but tend to fall into one of four categories. The most common is general duty and patient care. The others are administration, education and research. The job is often challenging but can be immensely rewarding. Nurses can work with individuals, groups and even entire communities. There are also a multitude of areas in which to specialize, such as geriatrics, paediatrics, neurology, surgery and psychiatry.
To enter the profession, applicants are required to have a high school education and a degree or other formal certification in nursing. Job security is high as there is a high need for qualified medical professionals. As well as the relevant training, it is important for a nurse to have excellent interpersonal skills and a calm temperament.
A typical day in patient care will involve treatment assessment, consultation with doctors, physical examination and the administering of medicines. A nurse will have a great deal of interaction with the patients and their families.
A nurse’s salary varies depending on the level of experience, duties and where in Canada they are employed. At entry level, wages start at around C
$40,000.