Nursing in Canada: education determines success

A new study from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in partnership with Statistics Canada, reveals that the majority of immigrant nurses in Canada are successfully finding work in their chosen field. The report shows that 63% of newcomers who intended to work as nurses between 2010 and 2020 had secured a nursing position by 2021.

However, 25% ended up in lower-skilled health or non-health roles or were unemployed, indicating that challenges remain in making full use of immigrant talent in Canada’s healthcare sector.

Experience determines success

One of the most significant findings is that Canadian work experience prior to immigrating substantially improves employment outcomes.

Immigrants with Canadian work experience had a match rate nearly 30 percentage points higher than those without. Similarly, Canadian study experience also improved outcomes, although most of that advantage came from related work experience.

This clearly shows that exposure to the Canadian labour market before settling permanently plays an important part in helping internationally educated nurses find work in their intended occupation.

Unexpected career paths

The study also highlights an unexpected trend. By 2021, 65% of immigrant nurses in Canada had not originally intended to pursue a nursing career at the time they immigrated. Instead, they moved into nursing after becoming permanent residents.

Only 35% had intended to work as nurses from the outset. This reflects the evolving and flexible career choices of immigrants, where retraining and post-arrival education often open up new opportunities.

The differences

Outcomes differ depending on the type of nursing role. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) had the highest match rate at 74%, compared with 61% for registered nurses (RNs). The gap reflects the tougher credential recognition and licensing barriers that RNs face.

Demographics

Women had a higher match rate than men. Younger immigrants were more successful in entering nursing. English-speaking immigrants had a higher match rate than French-speaking or bilingual immigrants.

Immigrants from the Caribbean and Europe achieved stronger match percentages than those from Asia, even though Asian countries account for the majority of internationally educated nurses.

Value that does not determine a career

The study also shows the important contribution of immigrants who enter nursing despite not having intended to before immigrating. Many arrived through family, dependant or refugee pathways and later retrained in Canada.

These individuals tend to be younger, are more likely to have studied in Canada and in many cases earn lower wages than those who intended to work as nurses. Even so, they represent an important addition to the workforce at a time of nursing shortages.

The future

Overall, the findings highlight both progress and gaps in workforce integration. While more than 60% of immigrants who intended to work as nurses achieved that goal, 1 in 4 remain unemployed or working in lower-skilled roles.

At the same time, the fact that 65% of immigrant nurses in Canada did not originally intend to pursue nursing points to untapped potential within the immigration system.

With healthcare labour gaps across the country, immigrant nurses in Canada will continue to play an important role.

Stronger support for credential recognition, targeted training and expanded opportunities for those who retrain after arrival will be essential to ensuring Canada’s healthcare system remains strong and sustainable.