The number of orbitals in any shell is given by \(n^2\), where \(n\) is the principal quantum number of the shell. For the N shell, the principal quantum number \(n = 4\). Therefore, the number of orbitals in the N shell is:
\[
n^2 = 4^2 = 16
\]
Thus, the total number of orbitals in the N shell is 16.