Nursing in Canada is a noble and well-paid career. There are more than 300,000 registered nurses in the Great White North, but officials predict 191,000 registered nurse job opportunities will arise over the next 10 years. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown Canada and the rest of the world the importance of caregivers. As the country recovers from the effects of the pandemic, the need for nurses in Canada has increased. Although nursing schools receive many applications, this may not be enough to fill the nursing shortage.
To combat this crisis, the Canadian government is encouraging nurses from around the world to live and work in Canada. Although there are registered nurses across the country working in both the public and private sectors, there are four notable regions in Canada where registered nurses should seriously consider emigrating. Making such a big decision is never easy; that is why we bring you the four best places to live and work in Canada as a registered nurse.
1. Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is calling on healthcare workers and skilled tradespeople to help maintain the province’s high level of service and strong economy. Nova Scotia Nurses Can Make Up to $93,500 a Year! It’s a salary of $45 an hour. The average salary is $38.42 per hour, but it always depends on your expectations and responsibilities.
Nursing in Nova Scotia just got better. Over $200 million is being poured into the healthcare sector to build new medical infrastructure in Halifax. More than $22 million will be used to pay continuing care nurse tuition. There are a variety of nursing careers in Canada; from working in the emergency room to assisting with patient care to using and monitoring equipment; the province has more than 457 jobs available!
Nova Scotia is also a great place to start your career in nursing. The province is home to the Nova Scotia College of Nursing. The college oversees the practice of more than 15,000 nurses in the province, ensuring the community can trust the quality of the nurses working with people.
Whether you are a registered nurse in need of experience or an experienced healthcare worker, Nova Scotia will recruit you for your registered nursing skills.
2. Ontario
When you think of “Ontario,” you think of “Toronto,” and while there are plenty of nursing job opportunities in the busy big city, there are plenty of nursing jobs in the area. There are a total of 7,996 nursing jobs in Ontario. If you prefer a quieter lifestyle, you can choose to live outside of the city and take advantage of Ontario’s regional immigration pilot program, which allows skilled workers such as nurses, to relocate to rural Ontario more effectively.
While the average wage in the province is $36.60 per hour, in Ontario you can earn as much as $51.33 per hour.
Like Nova Scotia, Ontario has its own organization, the College of Nurse of Ontario, which oversees the practice and regulation of all nurses in the province to ensure a high standard of care is maintained.
In addition, the government funds various initiatives to ensure that nurses are well paid and that at least 70% of nurses work full-time.
3. New Brunswick
Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Personal Assistants are in high demand in New Brunswick, with openings available in both official languages (English or French). Attracting, supporting and retaining these important health professionals is a priority for the Province of New Brunswick. The province is also working with various private organizations and hospitals to fill nursing vacancies.
Since New Brunswick is a bilingual province, at least a basic knowledge of French will come in handy if you decide to move to this region. Nurses in New Brunswick earn an average of $35.60 per hour, but that can go as high as $49.13 for some companies and hospitals.
Nurses are needed in the province even before the start of the pandemic. With over 800 jobs to choose from in the region, New Brunswick’s population is widely dispersed and jobs can be found not only in Saint John, the province’s main seaside attraction, but also in smaller cities like Moncton, Doulhassie and Woodstock. . Each place has its own needs and charm.
The New Brunswick Nurses Association regulates nurses and their practices in the province. They also support the nurses and make sure they are treated fairly and are fairly compensated. New Brunswick also has a nurses’ union. Since the start of the pandemic, frontline workers like nurses have found themselves in dangerous situations. This organization ensures that the interests of nurses are taken into account.
4 Manitoba
Search for nursing jobs in Manitoba and find over 1,000 openings. The average salary for a registered nurse in Manitoba is $37.36, but can go as high as $49.85 in some cases.
The Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) is the largest health care union in Manitoba, representing all registered nurses. More than 95 percent of all unionized nurses in the province are members of the Manitoba Nurses Union. MNU is not a government agency, but supports nurses working in Manitoba to ensure fair treatment.
Nursing in Canada
The functioning of the health sectors can vary from one province to another, so it is not surprising that there are differences between countries. The duties, responsibilities and pay may not be what you are used to at home. Here are things you should know:
Your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code depends on your duties and responsibilities. Canada uses this system to classify occupations in the country’s labor market. For example, all registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are included in NOC 3012.
You should apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NAAS) if your nursing qualification is internationally recognized and you want to work as a registered nurse in Canada.
Some nurses who belong to this group are:
- occupational medicine nurses
- community health nurses
- psychiatric nurses
- care advisor
- nursing researcher
- clinical nurses
There are many career opportunities for nurses in Canada who can work in the public and private sectors and are not limited to hospitals and clinics. Here are some of the places you can work as a nurse:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Nursing homes
- Extended care facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Doctors’ offices
- Public clinics
- Private clinics
- Tertiary Education Institution clinics
- Community agencies
- Private Companies
- Private Homes
- Self-employed
Living and Working in Canada
Knowing the four best places to live and work in Canada as a registered nurse can help you decide which province and municipality to join. If you have a tenure position in a specific province that needs nurses like this one, you may qualify for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
You can apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Express Immigration Route or apply directly for a nomination in any of the 11 provinces that use this immigration route.
There are four programs that are the best places in Canada to work as a registered nurse.
- Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick’s Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are My Employment Rights Protected As A Nurse In Canada?
Nurses in Canada can join unions, which can be national or provincial. Nursing unions protect workers’ rights by guaranteeing fair hours and wages. Union members can ask representatives to interpret employment contracts, seek legal advice and assist in negotiations to ensure potential employers treat you fairly.
Should I Become A Private Or Government Registered Nurse In Canada?
Working in the public and private sectors in Canada has both disadvantages and advantages. Working privately means less complex medical histories but less variety of patients and cases. In the public sector you come across a wide variety of people, but this requires you to work with complex medical records. To illustrate these benefits, we have created an easy-to-use table of the pros and cons of working as a caregiver in the private sector.
Pros and Cons of Working in the Private Sector in Canada
Pros
- Less clinical environment
- Patients’ medical histories are usually less complex
- Enjoy more routine
- Theater schedules and cases by appointment
Cons
- Less clinical tasks
- Care is administered according to unique requirements
- Mundane work environment
- You work in accordance to the surgeon’s schedule
Pros and Cons of Working for Government in Canada
If you’re interested in working in the public sector, here is a simple table of the pros and cons you could experience working for the government as a nurse.
Pros
- Great Training
- Diverse cases and patients
- Variety of possible roles within the hospital or clinic
- Health Benefits, Pension, Study Allowance included in pay
Cons
- Fast-paced and Busy Shifts
- Higher incidence of verbal or physical abuse
- Tasks are incredibly multilayered
- Too many responsibilities
As a registered nurse, the opportunities for a successful and fulfilling life in Canada are endless. Imagine all the people you could help by asking for a credential. Since you are always willing to help, please take this opportunity to let us help you. We will put you in touch with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who is authorized to assist you with the immigration process. Find out which is the best place for you in Canada, find out how much it costs and what documents you need to provide.
Ready for the next step?
