Are you an experienced nurse thinking about migrating to Canada? Here’s the good news for you! Canada will need around 60000 nurses by 2022. And in the next ten years, the number of nurses that Canada requires will be more than double, almost 142000. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has further boosted the demand for healthcare workers in Canada.

A qualified nurse has many career options in Canada, including coordinator, supervisor, registered nurse, dental nurse, nurse aide, licensed practical nurse, allied health practitioners, etc. A nurse in Canada can earn an average between $41,438 and $128,700 per annum.

Job description for nurses in Canada

The average salary of nurses in Canada is CAD 78,546 per year. The National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes for nurses are as follows:

• NOC 3011 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
• NOC 3012 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
• NOC 3124 – Allied primary health practitioners
• NOC 3233 – Licensed practical nurses
• NOC 3413 – Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates

Though nurses’ responsibilities differ under each of these categories, their primary duty is caring for them. Nurses in Canada are also supposed to use high-tech equipment, perform complex procedures, and lead and manage staff.

Benefits of migrating to Canada as a nurse

By migrating to Canada, nurses can enjoy the following benefits:

• Free healthcare: Healthcare services are free for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their family members.
• Free education for children: In Canada, children can enjoy world-class school education free of cost.
• Tolerant society: Canada is one of the most tolerant communities and welcome immigrants of different cultural backgrounds. In Canada, freedom of religion is protected by the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
• Safety and security: Canada is ranked 20th among the safest countries in the world.
• Job opportunities: Thousands of nursing jobs are available in Canada with competitive salaries.

Requirements for nurses

To start practising as a nurse in Canada, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

• The candidate must have their Educational Credential Assessment done.
• The candidate must apply to the respective nursing regulatory body of the province/territory where they wish to practice.
• The candidate must register with either the Canadian Nurses Association (CAN) or the Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR)
• The candidate must attend the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination(CRNE) or the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam(CPNRE)

What you must do before applying for immigration

• Hire the services of a Canadian immigration lawyer: Many documentation procedures are involved in migrating to Canada. Even a slight mistake in these matters may mean the end of your Canadian immigration dream. So it is better to hire the services of a Canadian immigration lawyer.
• Choose a province where you want to practice: The requirements for practising as a nurse are different in different provinces. So it would help if you first decided in which province you want to practice.
• Obtain a medical license: You need to apply to the province’s nursing regulatory body to practice nursing.

Your options for immigrating to Canada

Express Entry

Express Entry system of immigration is for skilled workers who want to migrate to Canada. To be eligible for Express Entry, a candidate’s occupation must come under Skill Level O, A, or B. It means all nurses, except nurses aides, orderlies, and patient service associates, are eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which is managed under the Express Entry.

Provincial Nominee Program

Skilled and semi-skilled workers, especially those who have a valid job offer from a particular province or territory, may migrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program. Each province has its in-demand occupation lists for meeting the individual needs of the labour market. If you wish to migrate to Canada under a Provincial Nominee Program, you need to submit an Expression of Interest to the PNP of that particular province.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Atlantic Immigration Pilot is for candidates who wish to settle in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Healthcare workers have a high demand in these Atlantic provinces. If you have a full-time permanent job offer from one of these provinces, you may apply under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Are you a nurse by profession? Do you wish to have an exciting career in Canada? If yes, connect to ImmiLaw Global, the best Canadian immigration consultants in Kerala.