Do I need a degree or is post-secondary school enough?

Both are valid and allow OAMGMAMR registration. A degree (3–4 years) opens access to higher grades (principal, specialist) and a master's; post-secondary (3 years) is the shorter path to practice.

How long does the annual OAMGMAMR approval take?

The file is submitted from October for the following year; processing takes a few days at branches. The approval expires on 31 December — without a valid one, practising is illegal.

Do private homes pay better than the state?

Not necessarily at base level: state salaries include regulated bonuses that can raise total pay significantly. Private homes compete with a modern environment and a predictable schedule.

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A career in senior care

General nurse

A general nurse coordinates the care home's medical care, administers treatments and supervises the care team. A role with a constant staff shortage.

About the job

A general nurse (COR code 222101 for university studies, 325901 for post-secondary) is responsible for medical care: administering prescribed medication, performing procedures and coordinating the nursing assistants and carers on shift. Practising the profession requires an OAMGMAMR licence, renewed annually.

Responsibilities

Assessing beneficiaries' health on admission and periodically (vital signs, history)
Administering doctor-prescribed medication (oral, injectable, topical)
Care procedures: dressings, catheters, glucose and blood-pressure monitoring
Coordinating the care team (nursing assistants, carers) on shift
Maintaining medical documentation (observation sheet, treatment chart, shift report)
Alerting the doctor to changes in beneficiaries' condition
Educating beneficiaries and their families

Requirements

General-nurse diploma (3-year post-secondary or 3–4-year degree)
Valid OAMGMAMR practice licence (annual approval) + membership fee
At least 30 CME credits per year to renew the licence
Preferred: geriatrics/gerontology attestation and residential-centre experience

Certifications & courses

OAMGMAMR practice licence (mandatory, renewed annually Oct–Dec)
Geriatrics / senior-care specialisation course (CME credits)
BLS / ACLS and pain-management / palliative-care courses (recommended)

See accredited training courses →

Where you can work

Private residential centres for seniors (a sector short on staff)
DGASPC — public residential centres
MMFTS-accredited home-care services
Geriatrics / rehab clinics and hospitals

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree or is post-secondary school enough?: Both are valid and allow OAMGMAMR registration. A degree (3–4 years) opens access to higher grades (principal, specialist) and a master's; post-secondary (3 years) is the shorter path to practice.
How long does the annual OAMGMAMR approval take?: The file is submitted from October for the following year; processing takes a few days at branches. The approval expires on 31 December — without a valid one, practising is illegal.
Do private homes pay better than the state?: Not necessarily at base level: state salaries include regulated bonuses that can raise total pay significantly. Private homes compete with a modern environment and a predictable schedule.