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An ongoing nursing shortage means well-trained international nurses are in high demand with many job openings to pick from.

There’s no one cause of the nursing shortage in Canada; a combination of several factors mean the supply of nursing staff isn’t enough to meet demand:

1. Aging population

Canada's population is aging rapidly, with seniors projected to make up to 25% of the population by 2036. This demographic shift is increasing the demand for healthcare services, including nursing care.

2. Retiring workforce

A substantial portion of Canada's nursing workforce is nearing retirement age. According to the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, a third of registered nurses providing direct care were over 50 years old in 2020, meaning a wave of retirements is on the horizon.

3. Burnout

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of as many as 83% of registered nurses in Ontario, with 34% considering leaving the profession as a result.

4. Limited training capacity

Despite growing demand, Canadian nursing schools have limited capacity to train new nurses. This bottleneck in education contributes to the ongoing shortage.

The Canadian government has made a commitment to address the nursing shortage, allocating $2.8 million CAD to the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing to develop a National Nurse Residency program.

How many nursing job openings are there in Canada?

Nurses are in high demand across Canada’s ten provinces and three territories, with significant numbers of job openings across the country.

That demand is increasing, with the number of job vacancies for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses increasing by almost 10% in the third quarter of 2023.

To help address the shortage, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has allocated $115 million CAD over the next five years, and $57 million CAD ongoing for expanding Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program, helping international nurses get their qualifications recognized by the Canadian government.

Which Canadian provinces and territories have the highest demand for nurses?

The biggest Canadian province is also the hungriest for nurses. In 2023, the Ontario Nurses Association reported a shortage of about 24,000 nurses, and the province has held the dubious honor of having the lowest nurse-to-population ratio for almost a decade.

French-speaking Quebec isn’t far behind in the nursing need department. Canadian think tank MEI projected a shortage of about 10,000 nurses in 2021. French is the official language of the province, so you’ll need to have professional level French or be willing to learn.

With an increasing number of residents over the age of 65, prairie province, Alberta, is facing its own nursing crunch. The provincial government even announced a Health Workforce Strategy with a pillar dedicated to attracting international healthcare workers.

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are also worth highlighting as they’ve recently introduced an accelerated license process for international nurses.

Where do international nurses come from?

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, about 8.9% of registered nurses in Canada in 2021 were internationally educated, highlighting the significant contribution of foreign-trained professionals to Canada's healthcare system.

Nurses relocate to Canada from the Philippines and India, with many coming from the southern state of Kerala, known for its nursing education programs. More recently, there’s a growing trend of Nigerian, Jamaican, and Chinese nurses moving to call Canada home.

From getting ahead in their careers to feeling welcome, here are eight key reasons why international nurses are drawn to Canada.

What’s next?

If you’re eyeing up a move North, you’ll need to submit your nursing credentials, take the NCLEX-RN to qualify for a Canadian nursing license if needed, and show you’ve got the necessary language skills.

Get your move off to a stress-free start with the Pearson Test of English (PTE).

With no additional speaking exam, PTE covers all four skills in one test using computer-based assessments to remove bias. It’s the faster, fairer, simpler way to evidence your English skills and start your next chapter.

Are you gearing up to take an English language test, and feeling a bit overwhelmed? You’re not alone – many test takers share the same initial anxieties. But don’t worry, we are here to help!

We’ve now launched Smart Prep, so that you can be test ready with one less worry. Smart Prep is a one-stop preparation portal to get you test ready for PTE Academic, PTE Core and PTE Home tests.

It’s based on feedback from real test takers — we recently conducted a survey of 243 students preparing for PTE and learned:

• 82% wanted to prepare skill-by-skill. For example, they might want to focus on speaking first, then writing, reading, and listening

• Many expressed a need for free preparation resources, especially at the beginning of their journey

• 82% preferred having all preparation materials in one place, organized logically in a step-by-step manner

Why Smart Prep?

• Smart Prep combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track

• It’s a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

• It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

• Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips. Note: the available resources depend on your chosen PTE test, please check Smart Prep in myPTE or visit the test preparation page for more details.

Ready to get started?

Create or sign in to your myPTE account

Known for beautiful snowy landscapes and hot maple syrup on pancakes, Canada has become a popular destination for international nurses seeking new opportunities and a better quality of life.

Discover eight key reasons why international nurses are drawn to Canada:

1. Growing demand for nurses

An ongoing nursing shortage means well-trained international nurses are in high demand with many job openings to pick from. That demand is increasing, with the number of job vacancies for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses increasing by almost 10% in the third quarter of 2023.

To help address the shortage, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has allocated $115 million CAD over the next five years, and $57 million CAD ongoing for expanding Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program, helping international nurses get their qualifications recognized by the Canadian government.

2. High quality of life

Canada consistently ranks high in global quality of life indices. In 2023, Canada ranked 13th in the World Happiness Report, offering international nurses a stable, safe, and prosperous environment to live and work.

3. Competitive salaries

Canadian nurses enjoy competitive salaries. According to Canadian recruitment site ca.talent.com, the average annual salary for a registered nurse in Canada is approximately CAD 73,000 in 2024, varying by province and experience level.

4. Universal healthcare system

Canada's universal healthcare system is attractive to many international nurses. It offers the opportunity to work in a well-structured, publicly funded system that prioritizes patient care over profit.

5. Professional development opportunities

Canada offers numerous opportunities for career advancement and specialization. Many provinces have programs to support continuing education and professional development for nurses, and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario offers up to $1,500 CAD per year in education grants

6. Multicultural society

Canada's diverse and inclusive society makes it easier for international nurses to integrate. According to the 2021 census, over 23% of Canada's population are immigrants, creating a welcoming environment for newcomers, and the country consistently ranks as one of the top ten friendliest places to live.

7. Pathway to permanent residency

Many international nurses view working in Canada as a stepping stone to permanent residency. Programs like Express Entry often favor skilled healthcare workers, making it easier for nurses to transition from temporary to permanent status.

8. Work-life balance

Canadian workplaces generally prioritize work-life balance. Nurses in Canada typically work 37.5-hour weeks, with overtime pay for additional hours, allowing for a better quality of life outside of work.

What next?

If you’re eyeing up a move north, you’ll need to submit your nursing credentials, take the NCLEX-RN to qualify for a Canadian nursing license if needed, and show you’ve got the necessary language skills.

Get your move off to a stress-free start with the Pearson Test of English (PTE).

With no additional speaking exam, PTE covers all four skills in one test using computer-based assessments to remove bias. It’s the faster, fairer, simpler way to evidence your English skills and start your next chapter.