The Philippines is known for producing some of the best nurses in the world, so much so that more than 316,000 Filipino nurses were working abroad as of December 2021. What exactly makes Filipino nurses in high demand?
For one, Filipinos inherently possess valuable traits in healthcare, such as compassion, adaptability, and hospitality. They’re also highly proficient in English, helping them easily communicate with other nationalities and acclimate abroad.
Because of these factors, countries like Canada turn to the Philippines to boost their healthcare workforce. Just in November 2022, Canada’s Saskatchewan province offered to pay Filipino nurses CAD$74,000 annually. In other parts of the country, nursing jobs pay between $57,383 and $87,750 annually.
Canada should be your best bet if you’re looking for nursing job opportunities abroad. This article will guide you through nursing jobs in Canada and the requirements needed to work as a healthcare professional in the Land of the Maple Leaf.
4 Types of Nursing Jobs in Canada
There are four types of nursing jobs in Canada: licensed or registered practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, and personal care provider. Learning about each will help you know which job to take in the country.
1. Licensed or registered practical nurse (LPN/RPN)
An LPN or RPN assists senior nurses and physicians, measures vital signs, maintains patient records, and looks after patients with less complex needs. They’re considered entry-level nurse roles. The only difference between the two titles is their geographical distinction. Ontario uses RPN, while the rest of Canada uses LPN.
Nurses aspiring to land this role must at least hold a two-year practical nursing diploma from an accredited college and pass the national licensing exam.
2. Registered nurse (RN)
An RN looks after patients with complex needs and performs advanced care and practice as a medical generalist. They also interpret diagnostic tests, administer medications and treatments, and work with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
RNs in Canada must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing from a Canadian university or an international equivalent.
3. Nurse practitioner (NP)
An NP carries bigger, more complex responsibilities than LPNs or RPNs and RNs. They can independently prescribe medications, order laboratory tests, diagnose and treat acute illnesses, and perform minor procedures, among other responsibilities. Because of their roles, NPs complement physicians.
To qualify as an NP, nurses must possess a master’s degree or advanced diploma in nursing.
4. Personal care provider
Nurses without a specialty can work as personal care providers instead. As the name implies, personal care providers look after patients in their homes or special care facilities. They assist with daily activities like personal and childcare, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), Canadians can hire foreign workers as caregivers through the following immigration programs:
● Home Child Care Provider Pilot Program & Home Support Worker Pilot Program
● The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)
● In-Home Caregiver Program
● Interim Pathway for Caregivers
Requirements for Applying as a Nurse in Canada
RNs and RPNs must accomplish the following requirements to work in Canada:
1. Permanent residency or authorization to work in Canada
2. A four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing or a practical nursing diploma.
3. Work experience
4. Completion of the National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for RNs or Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) for RPNs and the RN/RPN Jurisprudence Examination
5. Certificate from approved English language proficiency test (IELTS Academic or CELBAN).
According to the government of Canada, nursing jobs in the country also entail assessments from two organizations:
● National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
● The nursing regulatory body of the province or territory you wish to work and live in
The NNAS is a non-profit organization that streamlines the registration process for foreign nurses seeking employment in Canada. It verifies IEN documents, ensures applicants meet Canada’s standards for nurses, and sends Advisory Reports to the appropriate provincial nursing regulatory bodies regarding the applications. The report allows foreign nurses to apply to any province and nursing group.
Once you receive your NNAS Advisory Report, apply to the nursing regulator in the province or territory you wish to work and live in. For instance, if you want to work in Ontario, you must apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). If you want to work in Nova Scotia, you must apply to the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN).
Check the Canadian Nurses Association’s website for a full list of nursing regulatory bodies per province and territory.
On top of the assessment process, you must also complete the required exams and prove you know the provincial nursing regulators’ laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines.
4 Tips for Searching for Nursing Jobs in Canada
It can get overwhelming looking for nursing jobs in Canada. Here are some tips to help you out.
1. Look at job boards
Use job boards to look for nursing job vacancies in Canada. Simply type in your desired role and location to narrow your search.
2. Join nursing job-finding or networking groups
Join online groups for Filipino nurses and seek advice from fellow practitioners who currently or have had experience working in Canada. They can guide you throughout the application and immigration processes and may even befriend you once you work abroad.
You may even gain a mentor through this experience. They can help you understand the nursing field better and even inspire you to take up higher roles.
3. Attend job fairs
Private hospitals and governments often hold job fairs to speed up the hiring process for nurses and other healthcare workers. Use this opportunity to your advantage so you can secure a job in Canada in no time.
How a Canada Job Recruitment Agency Can Help You Apply Abroad
Aside from the tips above, find nursing job vacancies in Canada faster with the help of a reliable Canada job recruitment agency like Staffhouse International Resources. Since 1999, they’ve been actively deploying thousands of Filipinos to various countries and giving them fulfilling work opportunities.
They have a special medical recruitment team consisting of nurses and seasoned recruiters trained to help Filipino medical workers find jobs abroad. They also work closely with governments to streamline the recruitment process for Filipino healthcare workers.
For instance, Staffhouse has previously partnered with the province of New Brunswick, Canada to conduct information and job fair sessions for Filipinos who aspire to live and work abroad. This government partnership was followed by the new partnership opportunity with other Canadian provinces. Staffhouse recently partnered with the government of Manitoba, Canada, to recruit highly qualified IENs and other healthcare providers from Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo. Aside from providing job opportunities, the partnership includes offering government-sponsored immigration support and facilitation to help Filipino nurses acclimate better in Canada.
Contact us via our website, email, or Facebook and LinkedIn pages today to learn more and launch your nursing career in Canada.
