Immigrate to Canada as a Nurse
Once you pass the above step, you must get the education credential assessed by the nursing body in Canada known as the National Nursing Assessment Service or NNAS. You need to provide several documents to the NNAS which include:
- Identity documents
- Nursing education forms
- Documents and details of the education you completed in your home country
- Registration forms
- Practice/employment forms
- Language results (IELTS)
- Documents may vary depending on the country you are applying from
If you are successful with this step, there is an additional step for you to get recognition from the province you want to practice in. Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories and each of them have their own bodies from which you must get recognition in order to allow you to practice in that province.
The Government Talented Specialist Program doesn’t expect you to apply to a specific territory/district and on the off chance that you are fruitful, you can settle anyplace in Canada.
How much do nurses earn in Canada?
A nurse’s salary really depends on the area of settlement, the level of skills and work experience. Nurses can earn between CAD$30,000 to CAD$60,000/year.
However, nurses can also make upwards of CAD$100,000/year if they have specialized nursing experience such as registered general nurses.
As mentioned above, Canada has one of the most severe nursing shortages in the world and is seeking to attract a great deal of nurses in the coming years.
What kind of nursing jobs are available in Canada?
There are a number of nursing positions in Canada. These include:
- Registered nurses
- Supervisors
- Allied primary health practitioners
- Licensed practical nurses
- Dental nurses
- Psychiatric nurses
- Nurses aides
Does it matter if I have a nursing degree or a diploma? Can I practice in Canada with either?
The answer to this question depends on the type of nurse you are and/or where in the country you wish to practice.
For example, Registered Nurses must have bachelor’s degrees in nursing in order to be allowed to practice as General Registered Nurses.
Canada also has nurses who specialize in psychiatric nurses who must have a bachelor’s degree in psychiatric nursing or a general nursing degree and a post-graduate credential in psychiatric nursing.
Psychiatric nurses who are registered are a regulated profession in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
To know which classification you fall inside, you should check your schooling level and sort of work experience you have.
What if I do not yet have a nursing background but I am interested in learning nursing in Canada? Would this also allow me to practice as a nurse in Canada after I graduate?
Studying nursing in Canada can be an excellent route for you to gain a high-quality credential in Canada which would be valued in Canada or may be valued in your home country.
However, do remember that the intention of coming to Canada to study is a temporary one so that you may return home to employment prospects in your home country.
That being said, you would be eligible to apply for a work permit after you graduate and there are immigration programs that benefit those with Canadian work experience and education such as the Canada Experience Class should you decide to change your mind during your time in Canada and to apply to stay back in Canada rather than return home.
How do I get admission into a nursing program in Canada?
There are several Canadian universities which offer nursing programs in Canada. Once these are researched and you meet requirements, you may apply to nursing programs for admission.
Once you have your Letter of Admission, you may apply for a study permit or seek the assistance of our firm to do so.
Is it just me or do the steps to coming to Canada as a nurse seem difficult or cumbersome?
Well, please do keep in mind that nursing is an extremely important profession where public health is at stake.
Therefore, Canada, like many countries, requires that Canadian or foreign trained nurses have the required skills and training in order to serve the public in a highly competent manner.
However, a lot of information is available online and while you do not need the assistance of a consultant or immigration lawyer to help you, we are happy to provide consultation and/or application services to those who wish to apply for a study permit to Canada to study nursing or to apply for immigration to Canada.
How much will the various steps above cost?
Any process for Canada – whether for nurses or otherwise – has costs involved. With nursing programs specifically, there are a number of costs involved including, but not limited to, language tests and education credential assessment costs to begin the process.
If you seem to be eligible, you will then need to spend funds on assessment/legal costs if you choose to hire an immigration professional to assist you.
And whether or not you decide to hire a professional, you will nevertheless have immigration related costs such as immigration visa application and related costs, additional PNP charges if you are also applying to provinces, medical fees and so on.
For those who wish to apply to study in Canada, you may still need to conduct a language test (this depends on the school) and will have costs related to applying to schools and applying for the study permit.
The above list is not to deter you, but it is important to be prepared that there will be a number of costs involved.
If you can afford the costs, do remember that these will not come up at once, but will come up over a period of time which may lighten the financial burden on you.
I am interested in applying or I know someone else who is interested. What is the next step?
Additional Information:
Please see names below of provincial regulatory bodies who are involved in nursing programs across Canada:
British Columbia
British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals.
Alberta
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
Ontario
College of Nurses of Ontario
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia College of Nursing
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Registered Nurse Association
Manitoba
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
Practical Nurses College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba