There are currently 439,975 active licensed nurses in Canada. With the slow growth rate of working nurses in Canada (1.9% annually), it is becoming increasingly difficult to match the quality services rendered by nurses to the faster-growing population of Canadian residents who require them. This population growth is largely due to Canada’s robust immigration policies in addition to the growing aging population. The state of affairs has also been worsened with the effects of the covid-19 pandemic. What we’re basically saying, in a nutshell, is that Canada needs nurses!
Why should you consider working in Canada as a nurse?
Living and working in Canada generally comes with added advantages. Some of these include:
- You are highly eligible to become a permanent resident of Canada
- Enjoying job satisfaction from working in a conducive system
- Living in one of the safest countries in the world and one with a high standard of living
- Having a chance to increase your earnings as well as advance in your career
What are the TOP 5 PROVINCES TO WORK AS AN IMMIGRANT NURSE IN CANADA?
If you have made the decision to migrate to Canada and work as a registered nurse, this information is for you. Different provinces offer peculiar advantages relating to weather, recreational sites, and employment packages that may best suit your preferences. However, if your search is for a more holistic package with the added advantage of lucrative earnings, then here are five provinces that you may want to consider.
Nova Scotia
Currently, Nova Scotia has a shortage of nurses. The elderly population of this province is on the rise and the early retirement of employees here is one of the reasons why more nurses are needed. Nursing graduates in this province can earn higher than the obtainable average salary in Canada and as an additional government incentive, professional foreign nurses are preferred by organizations due to their experience. In Nova Scotia, nurses can earn up to $38 per hour and $71,000 in annual salary.
MANITOBA
The need for professional nurses in Manitoba has doubled since the start of the covid-19 pandemic. As a result of this growing concern, the government of Manitoba has made plans to increase the nursing education seats from 800 – 1,200. Nurses can earn anywhere between $37.11 – $67, depending on where they work. Their annual salary averages $63,931.
NEW BRUNSWICK
There’s equally some interesting news coming out of New Brunswick. There are plans currently in place by the government to hire approximately 320 nurses every year for the next 5 years with an option to extend this plan if required. That’s not all – there is also a 10-year plan for the active recruitment of foreign-trained nurses. Nurses here can earn as high as $52 an hour.
ONTARIO
Currently, there is a disproportionate ratio of nurses to the population of Ontario. Ontario is one of the biggest provinces in Canada, in terms of the human population. And with that rising number comes the pressing need for more nursing professionals. Ontario currently is in need of 17,000 nurses to match up to this scale. With a daily pay of $46 and an average annual income of $79,227, this is one of the places you definitely want to include in your list.
ALBERTA
A registered nurse can earn up to $97,825 in Alberta. Yes, you heard right. It is the fourth most populous province in Canada with a population of about 4.2 million people. You may have wondered why the annual salary in Alberta is that high, well here is a fun fact: Alberta spent over $22 billion on the healthcare budget between 2018 and 2019. About 45% of the province’s budget goes into funding the healthcare system. This makes Alberta the best-funded health system per capita of population in all of Canada, making this province one worth considering for nurses and healthcare workers in general.
Armed with this information, we trust that navigating your career path and making that vital decision about where you choose to offer your services as a nurse will have become a bit easier. Let’s help you begin your journey!
