Special thanks to Tierney O’Connor (BScN, RN, RPR, & COO) and Samantha Moore (BScN, RN, RPR, Owner & CEO, PRN Staffing Solutions Inc.) for providing valuable information for this article.
The demand for nurses in Canada has increased in recent years, making it an appealing prospect for those interested in coming to Canada for work. Today, we provide an overview of how to work in Canada as a nurse. From licensure/registration to work permits, there are some important steps you must take before you can make the transition to a nursing position in Canada.
How do I register as a nurse in Canada?
The first of many steps to register as a Nurse in Canada is to be assessed by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). The NNAS will perform an assessment of your education, your experience, your English or French language skills, and documents (i.e. identity documents, nursing education, employment history, etc.) to determine if you are comparable to a Canadian-trained Registered Nurse (RN).
How can I find a nursing job in Canada?
We often recommend that our clients utilize online job boards to find positions that align with their skill set, work experience, and desired location. Many nursing jobs can be found on sites such as Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn. The Government of Canada’s Job Bank is also a helpful resource when searching for positions. You can also contact a recruitment agency to assist you in finding a suitable opportunity based on your needs.
What are the benefits of working as a nurse in Canada?
Working as a nurse in Canada has many benefits that range from a sufficient salary to benefits (i.e. coverage for health and medicine), opportunities to continue your education, and advance your career. There are many different areas of nursing to work in, which means a range of job opportunities are available to you.
Can my nursing job help me get PR?
There are many immigration programs available to nurses that can allow them to work temporarily or permanently in Canada. First, you must determine the NOC code for your position; different nursing job titles are assigned to different skill levels in the NOC system.
Here are a few Nursing NOC codes for example:
3011 - Nursing coordinators and supervisors (skill level A)
3012 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (skill level A)
3233 - Licensed practical nurses (skill level B)
3413 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (skill level C)
Depending upon the skill level of your job title, you may qualify for the Express Entry System, a Provincial Nominee Program, or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. You may also qualify for an LMIA-supported Work Permit, depending on your situation.
Should you come to Canada temporarily to work as a nurse, you may earn the required Canadian work experience to apply for Permanent Residency via the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry). If you require assistance determining the best way to immigrate to Canada as a nurse, you can contact us to develop the right plan for you.
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
