July 19th, 2023 at 12:46 am
How You Can Move to Canada as a Nurse
Nurses are very important to the health care system in Canada. The pandemic has made the shortage of skilled nurses worse across the country, and as a result, there has never been a higher need for nurses who have studied abroad.
Whether you just got your nursing license abroad or have been a nurse for a long time, moving to Canada can open up a lot of doors for you. In this article, we talk about how you can use immigration programs to move to Canada as a nurse, how to get a license from a province, and what nursing jobs are in demand in Canada.
Does Canada Accept Foreign Nurses?
Canada’s health care system can’t work well without nurses who have studied in other countries. Several Canadian immigration programs give permanent residence (PR) to newcomers with jobs that are in high demand, like nursing.
But you must be licensed in the province you want to work in before you can move to Canada as a nurse and start looking for work. Most provinces let you start the licensing process from afar, which makes it easier for foreign nurses to get jobs faster.
Internationally Qualified Nurses Immigration Programs
Canada lets newcomers apply for permanent residence if they have the skills and qualifications to fill important skill gaps. As a nurse, you can move to Canada through one of several PR programs.
1. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
The Fast Track Entry The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program lets qualified skilled workers from other countries move to Canada and live there permanently. Under the FSW program, applicants are chosen based on the Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) of their profiles, not their jobs.
Your CRS score is based on things like your age, level of education, work experience, language skills, and more. You also get more points if you have a job offer in Canada, a provincial nomination (see the section below about the PNP), Canadian work experience, or Canadian school credentials.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs.
Except for Quebec and Nunavut, all of Canada’s provinces and territories have Provincial Nominee Programs that let them choose applicants with the skills and qualifications they need to fill jobs.
Selection for Express Entry PNP streams is based on CRS scores, but other PNP streams let provinces nominate skilled workers in certain professions or National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes to meet urgent market needs. If you live in a province that needs nurses, you may have a better chance of getting a provincial nomination. See the section on nursing jobs that are in high demand below for the NOC codes that apply to nursing.
3. Regular Skilled Workers Program in Quebec (RSWP)
The Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) lets the provincial government of Quebec invite people who have the skills, training, experience, and language skills to work and live in the province.
Under the RSWP, people in all kinds of jobs can send in an Expression of Interest, and the selection is based on things like age, French and English language skills, years of experience, education, and more. Once you are chosen, you get a Quebec Selection Certificate (also called a Certificat de sélection du Québec or CSQ) and can apply for PR with the IRCC.
Types of Nursing Licenses in Canada
Nursing is a regulated job in Canada. Before you can work as a nurse in Canada, you must get a license from your provincial or territorial government. Most provinces in Canada let you start the process of getting a license before you even get there.
In Canada, there are three main types of nursing licenses based on the level of education and skills needed, as well as the duties of the job:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP): To get an NP license, you must have a master’s degree in nursing or an advanced nursing credential with a specialty in adult, pediatric, or primary healthcare, as well as work experience as a registered nurse (or the equivalent). In some places, the NP license is seen as an extension of the RN license, and applicants must first sign up for an RN license or be eligible for one.
- Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN): If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can get a license to work as an RN. If you got your degree more than three years ago, you must show that you have been working as a nurse recently.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN, also called Registered Practical Nurse): If you have a nursing diploma, you can get an LPN license. If you got your diploma more than three years ago, you must show that you have been working as a nurse recently.
Getting licensed in Canada as a foreign-trained nurse
Apply for a nursing license after determining your eligibility. The National Nursing Assessment Service must first report. You must then register with your provincial regulator, provide documents, and pay a licensing fee. License requirements vary by province and territory, but the process usually involves:
1. Registration for National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
Before moving to Canada, nurses who went to school outside of Canada and are eligible for an RN, RPN, or LN license must fill out an online National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) application. Here are the most important steps to join the NNAS:
- Start your application by making an online account, paying the fee, and starting it.
- Provide your identity documents
- Send in your form for nursing school
- Send in your form to become a nurse.
- Send in your application to work as a nurse.
- Submit your language test result
The NNAS will compare your foreign nursing credentials to Canadian licensing requirements. It will also review your ID, work experience abroad, language test scores, and other documents. The NNAS will report your nursing education, registration history, and experience to your provincial regulatory authority.
2. Apply to register as a nurse in your province
After submitting your NNAS, contact your provincial or territorial regulator to review your nursing license application. After NNAS sends your file, the regulator will begin. Initial application fees vary by province and nursing category.
The provincial regulator will evaluate your nursing education, recent practice (three years), and language proficiency. If your application doesn’t meet licensing requirements, you may need more training or testing.
To qualify for a provincial nursing license, you must also:
- Be a citizen of Canada, a permanent resident, or have permission to work in Canada.
- Pass the Registration Exam for the type of nursing you want to do to show that you are qualified. Applicants for an RN license must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), while applicants for an LPN license must take the REx-PN (Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse).
- Complete the Jurisprudence Exam to show that you know the laws, rules, standards, and guidelines that apply to the nursing profession in your province or territory.
- Say if you have any mental or physical conditions or disorders that might make it hard for you to work as a nurse.
- Send in a criminal background check report and list any crimes you’ve committed or times when you weren’t allowed to become a nurse in any country.
After you’ve met all of the requirements for a license, you can pay the registration fee and the fee for the first year of membership online to finish your registration.
Amount of Money Nurses Make in Canada
Canadian nurses’ salaries vary by location, specialty, and experience. According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses earn a median wage of $40/hour, with the highest median wages in Nunavut ($67.83/hour), Northwest Territories ($53.23/hour), Yukon ($45.28/hour), and Saskatchewan ($44.23/hour). In British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba, where registered nurses are scarce, hourly wages often exceed $50.
In Canada, the average wage for a nurse practitioner is $53.37 per hour, while a licensed practical nurse can make anywhere from $22 to $33.23 per hour.
Looking for jobs as a nurse in Canada
Since most provinces let you get your nursing license from outside of Canada, you can look for your first nursing job in Canada before you even get there. Here are some suggestions to help you find a good part:
- Find out what the local job market is looking for.
- Gather more skills and qualifications
- Make a nursing resume in the Canadian style
- Check out job search sites and websites for employers
- Make connections in your field.
Conclusion
All Canadian provinces have a shortage of qualified nurses. Canada’s immigration programs offer international nurses an exciting, lucrative opportunity to settle permanently in Canada. However, the licensing process can take time, and you may need to pass provincial exams or get more education before becoming a licensed nurse in Canada.
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