Working in British Columbia

Nursing Opportunities in British Columbia

British Columbia offers outstanding and diverse opportunities, to not only build your career, but to forge your own lifestyle. The possibilities are many and the choice is yours.

BC has a variety of nursing positions available across the province, including acute care, long-term care, community, leadership, and mental health. With fulfilling career opportunities in strong supportive communities and BC’s collaborative and innovative healthcare culture, you can sustain a rewarding, successful and dynamic career.

Whether you choose to work in rural communities or urban areas, BC’s spectacular scenery and remarkable recreational experiences are unmatched. With nature at your doorstep and easy access to the outdoors throughout the year, enjoying a balanced lifestyle – is distinctly BC.

Nursing Jobs in British Columbia

Registered Nurse
As a Registered Nurse (RN) working in BC, you will have the opportunity to provide direct medical care to patients or clients in an array of healthcare settings. You will enjoy a varied caseload and opportunities to shape a patient’s experience in collaboration with other best-in-field healthcare professionals. As valued care providers, RNs are responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of their patients and are depended on to provide client-centred care, supportive of their patient and patient’s family’s needs.

Duties:
- Assess patients to identify proper treatments in collaboration with other health care professionals
- Monitor patients for changes
- Document nursing care, observations, patients’ concerns and medications
- Consult with patients and their families
- Work with a health care team
- Administer medications and treatments
- Check and operate medical equipment
- Coordinate with other health services to ensure continuity of care
- Educate and inform about health, wellness, nutrition, self-care, medication management, disease prevention and promotion of health to patients/clients, families and caregivers
- Advocate for health care improvements
Qualifications
- Meet the registration requirements set out by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
- Complete a registered nursing program recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
- Be eligible to write or have already passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
Areas Where We Are Hiring Registered Nurses
- hospitals
- primary care clinics
- community health centers
- extended care facilities
- rehabilitation centers
- correction services
Benefits

British Columbia’s publicly funded health authorities offer comprehensive compensation packages for regular-status employees, including employer-paid benefits.
- Wages: $40.21 – 57.78 per hour (as of January 18th, 2024)
- Paid Vacation Time: 4 weeks per year, after first year of employment
- Pension Plan
- BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Extended Health Care
- Dental Coverage
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Employee and Family Assistance Plan
- Other Benefits: such as maternity, paternity and adoption leaves
- Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be available for many nursing jobs. Please speak with health authorities directly for more information
- Additional incentives may be available for rural and remotely located employees
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Registered Psychiatric Nurse
As a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) in BC, you will draw upon your unique expertise to provide vital care for patients with complex psychosocial and mental health needs. In partnership with other healthcare professionals, you will provide patients with assessments, nursing diagnoses, and evidence-based nursing care. Focusing on patient-centred care, RPNs are dedicated to developing strong therapeutic relationships with clients, families, and the communities they work with. A challenging and rewarding career, RPNs are a critical and growing workforce as their knowledge and care help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Duties:
- Observe, assess and monitor patients to identify proper treatments, in collaboration with other health care professionals.
- Document patient symptoms, reactions and progress
- Consult with patients and their families
- Administer medications and treatments
- Work with a health care team
- Educate and inform about mental health illnesses, nutrition, self-care, medication management, disease prevention and promotion of health to patients/clients, families and caregivers.
- Advocate for health care improvements
Qualifications
- Meet the registration requirements set out by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
- Complete a registered psychiatric nursing program recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
- Be eligible to write or have already passed the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE)
Areas Where We Are Hiring Registered Psychiatric Nurses
- hospitals
- primary care clinics
- community health centers
- extended care facilities
- rehabilitation centers
- correction services
Benefits

The publicly funded health authorities in BC offer comprehensive compensation packages for regular-status employees, including employer-paid benefits.
- Wages: $40.21 – $57.78 per hour (as of January 18, 2024)
- Paid Vacation Time: 4 weeks per year, after first year of employment
- Pension Plan
- BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Extended Health Care
- Dental Coverage
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Employee and Family Assistance Plan
- Other Benefits: such as maternity, paternity and adoption leaves
- Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be available for many nursing jobs. Please speak with health authorities directly for more information
- Additional incentives may be available for rural and remotely located employees
  Access job search supports for Registered Psychiatric Nurses

Licensed Practical Nurse
As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you are an integral part of a multidisciplinary health care team, providing care for patients and clients in a variety of settings. You play a critical role in the frontlines of patient care and your advocacy ensures that patients receive quality and continuity of care. Working independently and collaboratively, LPNs coordinate care for patients with varying complexity and recognize when consultation with other health care professionals is required. Licensed practical nursing is a dynamic profession with opportunities to learn, grow and advance in clinical practice.

Duties:
- Consult with other health care professionals, including doctors and registered nurses
- Monitor patient progress
- Provide nursing care to stable patients
- Take vital signs
- Collect specimens
- Take steps to control infection
- Manage patient diets
- Give medication and record its effects
- Apply sterile dressings
- Provide care before and after an operation
- Check on respiratory and intravenous therapy
Qualifications
- Meet the registration requirements set out by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
- Complete a License Practical Nurse program recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
- Be eligible to write or have already passed the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (REx-PN)
Areas Where We Are Hiring Licensed Practical Nurses
- hospitals
- primary care clinics
- extended care facilities
- rehabilitation centers
Benefits

The publicly funded health authorities in BC offer comprehensive compensation packages for regular-status employees, including employer-paid benefits.
- Wages: $28.43 – $32.98 per hour (as of April 1, 2021)
- Paid Vacation Time: 4 weeks per year, after first year of employment
- Pension Plan
- BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Extended Health Care
- Dental Coverage
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Employee and Family Assistance Plan
- Other Benefits: such as maternity, paternity and adoption leaves
- Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be available for many nursing jobs. Please speak with health authorities directly for more information
- Additional incentives may be available for rural and remotely located employees
  Access job search supports for Licensed Practical Nurses