Health Care
IN THIS LESSON
Introduction to Nursing
Nursing is a field of healthcare that focuses on providing care, support, and education to individuals, families, and communities to maintain and improve their health and well-being. This includes helping patients manage illness, recover from injury, and navigate complex healthcare systems. Professionals who pursue careers in nursing play a vital role in promoting health, preventing disease, and advocating for patients across a wide range of settings. They use critical thinking, compassion, and clinical skills to ensure that people receive safe, effective, and person-centered care.
Two main streams in nursing
Licensed Practical Nurses
Careers as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) focus on delivering foundational nursing care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care homes, and clinics. LPNs work under the direction of registered nurses and physicians, providing hands-on support that ensures patient comfort, safety, and recovery. They play a key role in monitoring health conditions, administering medications, and supporting daily care routines, contributing to efficient and compassionate healthcare delivery.
LPN Career Areas:
Direct Patient Care: LPNs assist with daily patient needs such as bathing, dressing, and mobility, while also monitoring vital signs and reporting changes to the healthcare team.
Long-Term and Residential Care: Many LPNs work in care homes where they provide continuity of care for elderly or chronically ill patients, building long-term relationships and supporting quality of life.
Community Health Support: In clinics or home care settings, LPNs assist with routine health checks, immunizations, and education, helping to promote wellness and reduce hospital visits.
The scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is continually expanding, with many LPNs learning new skills and taking on greater responsibilities.
How to Get Started as a LPN
Starting a career as an LPN requires a combination of formal education, practical training, and strong interpersonal skills. To become an LPN in Canada, you must complete a recognized Practical Nursing diploma program, which typically takes two years at a college or technical institute. After graduation, you must pass the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) and register with the provincial or territorial regulatory body.
Gaining hands-on experience through clinical placements is essential during your education, as it helps build confidence and prepares you for real-world healthcare settings. Employers also value LPNs who demonstrate strong communication, empathy, and teamwork skills.
Career Progression:
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) can advance their careers by gaining practical experience, often leading to leadership roles such as team lead or care coordinator in long-term care settings. Many LPNs also choose to enroll in LPN-to-RN bridge programs, which allow them to build on their existing education and become Registered Nurses (RNs) with expanded responsibilities and broader career opportunities.
Registered Nurses
Registered Nurses (RNs) play a central role in the healthcare system by assessing patient needs, developing care plans, administering treatments, and coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to support recovery and promote wellness. As an RN, you may work with individuals, families, and communities across diverse healthcare settings to deliver evidence-based care, manage complex health conditions, and advocate for patient outcomes.
RN Career Sectors:
Acute Care: RNs in hospitals and emergency departments care for patients with complex or urgent medical needs. They monitor vital signs, administer medications, coordinate with specialists, and respond to rapid changes in a patient’s condition.
Community and Clinic Health: Community-based RNs work in public health units, primary care clinics, and schools to provide immunizations, chronic disease management, sexual health services, and health promotion tailored to local populations.
Mental Health: RNs in mental health settings provide therapeutic support, crisis intervention, and medication management for individuals living with psychiatric conditions or addictions, often as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Remote and Travel Nursing: Travel nurses and those working in rural or remote outposts deliver essential care where healthcare access is limited. These roles often involve independent decision-making, emergency stabilization, and collaboration with Indigenous communities and local care teams.
Leadership & Education: With experience, RNs may move into leadership positions such as nurse managers or educators, where they oversee teams, mentor new nurses, contribute to healthcare policy, or support quality improvement initiatives.
How to Get Started as an RN:
Careers in registered nursing require a combination of formal education, clinical experience, and strong interpersonal skills. Entry into the profession typically involves completing a nursing program approved by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
One of the most common paths is completing a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, such as the program offered by the University of British Columbia (UBC), which includes classroom learning and supervised clinical placements across various healthcare settings. Four-year programs are highly recommended, as they provide more extensive clinical experience and a stronger foundation in nursing knowledge.
UBC also offers an accelerated two-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Advanced Entry program designed for students who have already completed a different undergraduate degree. This is a faster option for those who discover their passion for healthcare later in their academic journey and want to transition into nursing through a focused program.
High School Prep:
Grade 11 Chemistry, Biology, Physics
English 12
Math 11/12
CASPer test
Employment While in School:
Healthcare Aid: After completing first year you can work across acute and long-term care settings to assist patients with activities of daily living, hygiene and companionship
Employed Student Nurse: After completing second year you can be employed across all acute care settings to gain hands-on nursing experience while receiving direct support from an overseeing RN
How Career Advancement Works in Registered Nursing:
In the field of registered nursing, hands-on experience is the most important factor for career advancement. The more clinical experience you gain, whether through hospital work, community health, leadership roles, or specialized practice, the more you develop your clinical judgment, build professional credibility, and expand your scope of responsibility.
While graduate degrees and certifications are not required for every advancement, they are powerful tools that can open doors to new roles and leadership pathways.
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Emergency Nursing Specialty
Perioperative (OR) Nursing Specialty
Perinatal (Labour & Delivery) Nursing Specialty
High Acuity Nursing Specialty
Critical Care Nursing Specialty
Neonatal Nursing Specialty
Pediatric Nursing Specialty
Gerontology Nursing Specialty
Nephrology Nursing Specialty
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Master of Nursing (MN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Education (MEd)
Shared Skills Needed as a RN and LPN:
Here is a short list of common clinical and soft skills required for careers as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). Clinical skills will be acquired through your education but soft skills are essential for the role.
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Vital signs monitoring and assessment
Wound care and dressing changes
Medication administration and dosage calculation
Electronic health records (EHR) documentation
IV insertion and maintenance (varies by role and setting)
Infection control and safety procedures
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Empathy and compassion
Communication and active listening
Critical thinking and clinical judgment
Teamwork and collaboration
Stress management
Adaptability in fast-paced environments
Is This Field Right for You?
Nursing in British Columbia is a meaningful, hands-on, and highly respected field that combines critical thinking with people-centered care. Whether you are pursuing a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN), you will need strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to assess and respond to complex situations. Nurses are problem-solvers, educators, and advocates for patients across every stage of life. Ask yourself: Do I enjoy caring for others, supporting people during vulnerable moments, and making a difference in their health and well-being?
It’s also important to think about the culture of healthcare. Nursing is fast-paced, high-pressure, and deeply demanding. It requires stamina, focus, and a willingness to take on serious responsibility from the start. As a new nurse, you will be responsible for multiple patients at once, making critical decisions and quite literally holding lives in your hands.
The rewards include forming human connections, having flexibility in your schedule, and entering a field with consistently high employment rates across Canada. If you are ready for a challenge that offers purpose, growth, and variety, nursing could be the right path for you!