HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
Many people start by completing a college practical nursing program. In some provinces, graduates must also meet registration or licensing requirements to practise. The exact pathway can vary by province or territory. For example, Quebec requires a licence from the provincial nursing authority, and Ontario uses the title registered practical nurse. Students interested in this career often choose secondary-school courses that support health care studies, such as biology, communications, and math. Experience in care settings, such as volunteering or job shadowing, can also help students learn whether the work is a good fit. Some workers later move into further nursing education.
THE WORK
What you may do
Licensed practical nurses check patients’ vital signs, help with personal care, and support comfort and recovery. They may dress wounds, give prescribed medications, collect samples, and observe changes in a person’s condition. They also help patients with bathing, mobility, eating, and other daily needs. In many workplaces, they record care details, report concerns to other health professionals, and follow care plans. Depending on the setting, they may work with older adults, people recovering from surgery, children, or people living with long-term health needs. The work combines practical care, close observation, and teamwork.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
What a day can include
A typical day may begin with checking assigned patients and reviewing notes from the previous shift. The nurse may take vital signs, help people get washed and dressed, and make sure meals, medications, and comfort needs are handled on time. Throughout the day, they watch for changes in health, answer call bells, and update the team about concerns. They may help transfer patients safely, clean and prepare supplies, and support routine care in a busy unit or care home. The pace can change quickly, so organization and clear communication matter. Some shifts are regular, while others involve evenings, nights, weekends, or rotating hours.
SKILLS TO BUILD