Critical Care Nursing Officer

As a member of the military, Critical Care Nursing Officers provide care in the critical care domain of practice to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and supported populations in in-patient care and medical evacuation environments while on operation. They are specialized in intensive care, emergency room and trauma resuscitation.

Critical Care Nursing Officers work within a collaborative practice model with other members of the health care team and lead the nursing care delivery within their area of practice. Critical Care Nursing Officers have the opportunity to work in different domains of nursing practice including:

• Policy and program management;
• Clinical leadership;
• Training and education.

Work environment

Critical Care Nursing Officers usually work in civilian hospitals, Aeromedical Evacuation units, Operational CAF units, training and education establishments, and Headquarters. The work schedule may vary from shift work to a regular 40-hour work week, depending on the environment. Critical Care Nursing Officers are called to contribute to exercises, medical evacuation flights, and domestic or international emergencies.

During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, Critical Care Nursing Officers live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Career Overview

Critical Care Nursing Officer:

Captain Kat Nguyen:

I'm Captain Kat Nguyen from Montreal, Quebec, and I'm a Critical Care Nursing Officer. I definitely am… I wouldn't say an adrenaline junkie, but I like excitement and I think critical care is the best field for nursing, if that's what you're into.

The Canadian Armed Forces covered my critical care training. So since then, I've completed a couple air evacuation missions, one to Greece and one to Yellowknife. I've participated in many exercises, both in Canada and both outside of Canada as part of NATO.

Of course, we're not always out forward. And if we're not, we're embedded in civilian hospitals. And right now I'm working in a trauma center in Montreal in the emergency room, and I'm working in another hospital, and they're specializing in cardiovascular intensive care. After that, I'm hoping to do a clinical placement in pediatrics. And we're also able to work with respiratory therapists.

Working as a critical care nurse in the CAF, I'm continuously learning. There's training opportunities all the time and we're either in the field or flying in aircraft. So if you are someone who is seeking something different and something exciting, I think that working as a critical care nurse in the CAF is definitely for you.

Pay and Benefits

A competitive compensation and benefits package is available for this medical specialization. Contact a Health Services Specialist Recruiter to learn more: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca

Nursing Officers who joined the occupation through any entry plan have the opportunity, upon selection, to further specialize as a Critical Care Nursing Officer and progress in jobs, domains of practice and ranks of increasing responsibility.

Direct Entry

If you already have a university degree and license to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory and civilian nursing experience in a critical care environment, the CAF may place you directly into a Critical Care Nursing Officer job after evaluation of your experience. You may have to complete some education and certification to complement your civilian experience.