Job requirements Registered Nurse (R.N.) in Canada
Find out what you typically need to work as a registered nurse (R.N.) in Canada. These requirements are applicable to all Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301).
Employment requirements
This is what you typically need for the job.
- Registered nurses
- Completion of a university, college or other approved registered nursing program is required.
- Additional academic training or experience is required to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
- A master's or doctoral degree in nursing is usually required for clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurses, nursing consultants and nursing researchers.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
- Registered psychiatric nurses
- Completion of a university or college registered psychiatric nursing program is required.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.
Professional certification and licensing
You might need to get a certification and/or license from a regulatory authority (or become registered as an apprentice) before you start working. Find out if this occupation is regulated and contact the regulatory authority to learn about the certification and/or licensing process.
Get your foreign credentials recognized in Canada
If you were trained as a nurse in another country, you will need to obtain a professional license before you can practice this occupation in Canada.
As a newcomer, if you want to work in a regulated occupation that requires a professional license or certification, you have to request an assessment of the training, education and/or work experience that you obtained in another country to verify if your qualifications are recognized in Canada. This process is called foreign credential recognition.
The first step for foreign-trained nurses looking to work in Canada is to contact the Canadian National Nursing Assessment Service.
Please note that the application process to practice as a nurse is different in Quebec, Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Contact the appropriate authority if you are interested in working in one of these regions:
- Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec
- Yukon Registered Nurses Association
- Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Did you know?
Having your qualifications recognized and obtaining a professional license or certification in Canada can take time, money, and effort. If you need help with this process, you can:
- Get access to free newcomer services that can support you in having your credentials recognized and getting certified in Canada.
- Find loans and support services that you may be eligible for.
- Learn about the foreign credential
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Québec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Do you want to work in another province or territory?
If you are already certified to work in a regulated occupation in your province or territory, it will be easier for you to have your certification recognized in another province or territory. See the Workers Mobility's website to learn more.
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