HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A common route starts in secondary school with biology, math, and health-related courses, along with any co-op or volunteer experience in care settings if available. After graduation, many students enter a practical nursing program at a college or other approved training provider, then complete the required clinical practice. Graduates usually apply for registration or licensure with the provincial or territorial regulator before working as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Early jobs often begin in hospitals, long-term care homes, clinics, or community settings, where new nurses build skills in observation, communication, teamwork, and patient care.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Provide nursing services, within defined scope of practice, to patients based on patient assessment and care planning procedures
- Perform nursing interventions such as taking vital signs, applying aseptic techniques including sterile dressing, ensuring infection control, monitoring nutritional intake and conducting specimen collection
- Administer medication and observe and document therapeutic effects
- Provide pre-operative and post-operative personal and comfort care
- Monitor established respiratory therapy and intravenous therapy
- Monitor patients' progress, evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions and consult with appropriate members of healthcare team
- Provide safety and health education to individuals and their families.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Business ProceduresInterpersonal communication skillsMultidisciplinary teamwork