Canadian Immigration Policy
and the
Registered Nurse

Canadian immigration policy includes several programs for skilled workers such as the registered nurse.

Nursing employment in Canada is a good probability if you are already a registered nurse in another country and have at least one year of experience in registered nursing practice.

Finding nursing employment in Canada should not be difficult since there is a constant shortage of nurses. However, just because you are a registered nurse does not mean that nursing employment is guaranteed.

Because nursing is a regulated profession not only must you meet immigration criteria for working in Canada but you will also be required to meet specific requirements to obtain a nursing license and be eligible to work as a nurse.

Skilled workers can enter the country under various programs in order to facilitate the labor needs in the country. There are a couple of programs that might help in getting nursing employment.

Skilled worker program

Canadian Immigration has designated registered nursing as Skill Level A.

If you have at least one year of work experience in registered nursing practice, then you may be able to enter through the skilled worker program. On the Citizen and Immigration Canada website both the occupation of a registered nurse and the nursing profession are defined as priority occupations.

Priority Occupations

"A priority occupation is one that the Government of Canada has identified after extensive consultations as being in high demand. You must have at least one year of continuous work experience in this occupation to be eligible to apply as a federal skilled worker."