Registered Nurse Career Profile
What is a Registered Nurse?
A Registered Nurse (RN) is a health-care professional that provides care for patients in a variety of different ways. Key services provided by RNs include observing and monitoring patient health, documenting symptoms and progress, administering medication, assisting physicians and other members of the health-care team with procedures, and educating patients and their family members on self-care and other health related topics. RNs can work in a variety of areas including critical care, pediatrics, emergency, oncology, operating room, mental health and addictions, community health, home care and other clinical settings. Overall, RNs provide essential services for health-care systems and are core members of multidisciplinary health-care teams.
What is it like working as a Registered Nurse at the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)?
Registered Nurses at the SHA primarily work in hospital settings but may also work in smaller clinical settings as part of a multidisciplinary health-care team in order to provide the best patient care. RNs typically work in shifts which include days, nights, and weekends in order to provide health-care coverage based on the needs of the health-care facility. Opportunities to grow as an RN with the SHA include taking advanced courses to work in specialized nursing areas, pursuing management and leadership positions, and furthering education to become a Nurse Practitioner.
Grad Nurse opportunities are also available with the SHA for new graduates who are waiting to write their licensing exam or are waiting on their results. Overall, the SHA supports career growth and development for RNs and also provides work opportunities for RNs to practice in a variety of settings across the province.
Critical Care Nursing
Are you a Registered Nurse looking to be part of a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced and challenging environment? Critical Care Nursing may be for you!
Critical Care Nurses may work in:
- Intensive Care
- Cardiac Intensive Care
- Neo-natal Intensive Care
- Pediatric Intensive Care
Learn more from our staff!
What can I earn as a Registered Nurse?
The current pay per hour is listed below:
- Grad Nurse - $33.30
- Nurse A - $38.58 - $50.07
- Nurse B - $42.04 - 52.44
- Nurse C - $45.83 - $56.14
- Nurse Practitioner - $52.59 - $62.91
In addition to the above pay bands, the SHA provides a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Extended Health and Dental benefits
- Defined-Benefit Pension Plan
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
- Annual Vacation
Registered Nurses working with the SHA are unionized employees and are members of the following union:
How do I become a Registered Nurse?
A Bachelor Degree in Nursing is required to work as a Registered Nurse in Saskatchewan. The degree program is offered by the following educational institutions:
- University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic - Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
- University of Saskatchewan - Bachelor Degree in Nursing
After completing your program, you will need to obtain a license from the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) and pass the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Please note that new graduates have the opportunity to start their career as a Grad Nurse before passing the NCLEX.
How do I become a Critical Care Nurse?
The Saskatchewan Health Authority provides sponsorship to current employees who are Registered Nurses and want to take the required Critical Care Nursing Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. This course is a requirement to work in adult intensive care units. (Pediatric and neo-natal intensive care units have their own dedicated training program.)
Please see the Critical Care Nursing Program Sponsorship poster below for details!