Registered nurses (also known as RNs) provide a wide variety of nursing services within a defined scope of practice to AHS patients and clients. They observe, assess, monitor and document patient symptoms, reactions and progress. They administer medications and injections, assist physicians during procedures and provide education and information to patients, families and caregivers.
Registered nurses use critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills to provide compassionate and safe patient care. AHS promotes patient and family centred care by supporting the relationship between these groups and frontline care providers. Registered nurses teach, counsel and advocate on behalf of their patients and take necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being.
Registered nurses play a key leadership role in the delivery of an integrated and holistic approach to client health care, health promotion and health maintenance requirements. They provide expert knowledge, guidance and mentorship to students and other health care workers.
Nursing is full of opportunities to grow, advance and change your career direction. Registered nurses may choose to specialize in a variety of nursing areas including operating room, critical care, neurosciences, pediatric, emergency, oncology, community health or other clinical areas. Whatever your interest – working with children, scientific procedures and high tech equipment, teaching and promoting healthy practices, developing your leadership skills – nursing has something for you.
Registered nurses who work in Corrections Health at AHS collaborate with healthcare professionals, correctional centre authorities in a safe & secure setting to provide quality patient care to adults and youth in custody. Opportunities exist for clinical, addictions and mental health practice with support from clinical experts in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Registered nurses at AHS work in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, community health centres, continuing care facilities, clinics, urgent care centres and in clients’ homes. They work with patients and families and collaborate with other nursing teams, physicians, health care aides, therapists and technologists, administrative staff and managers during the course of their work. Registered nurses are an integral part of the team that provides quality patient care to Albertans. Registered nurses may work full-time or part-time hours or on a call-in (casual) basis. They can apply for positions that are permanent, temporary or casual depending on department and facility needs. Shift schedules may include a combination of day, evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts, as well as on-call duty.
Many registered nurses work in environments that are physically demanding and may require different levels of physical exertion. Some positions are routinely required to lift and transfer patients. At times, registered nurses may work in challenging and stressful circumstances, such as in an emergency situation. During the course of their work registered nurses may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, infectious diseases, chemicals and other safety hazards.
If you have not practiced as a Registered Nurse within the last five (5) years, completion of the following free courses is required:
