Ontario is in dire need of nurses. If you’re looking for work as a nurse, you should have little trouble finding employment in Ontario.
Even foreign nurses will find it relatively easy to find work in the healthcare field in Ontario, and other parts of Canada. In fact, the Canadian government is seeking out international nurses to help fill open nursing positions through various immigration programs.
Nurses in Ontario are, without a doubt, overworked. They are struggling to cover the needs of the industry due to ongoing nurse shortages, which became more prevalent during the recent pandemic.
How Much Do Nurses Make In Ontario?
According to the latest data collected by the Canadian Job Bank, the median hourly wage for nurses in Ontario is $38.92. Based on a 40-hour work week and a 52-week period, this would work out to a median annual salary of $80,953.60. That said, the salary of a nurse can vary quite a bit based on factors such as the area of specialty and the number of years on the job.
On the lower end of the spectrum, nurses in Ontario earn a median hourly wage of $26, which would work out to $54,080 per year based on the same work schedule as above. And on the higher end, Ontario nurses earn a median wage of $48 per hour, which equates to an annual salary of $99,840.
So, how does the average salary of a nurse in Ontario compare to the average in Canada as a whole? The following chart provides a comparison, based on 40 hours per week worked over a 12-month period:
| Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary | |
| Canada | $40 | $83,200 |
| Ontario | $38.92 | $80,953.60 |
Based on the above information, Ontario nursing salaries are about $2,000 less than the national average.
How Much Do Nurses Make In Ontario: Average Salary By Nurse Type
As mentioned, nursing salaries also depend on the type of nurse you are. The following are the average salaries of various nursing specialties in Ontario:
| Nursing Specialty | Median Salary in Ontario |
| Clinical Nurse | $83,928 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,780 |
| Psychiatric Registered Nurse | $80,126 |
| Community Health Nurse | $78,546 |
| Case Manager | $58,227 |
| Operating Room Nurse | $80,369 |
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Nurse In Ontario?
According to Statistics Canada, the average Ontario nursing tuition fee for the 2022/2023 year of study is $6,346. This is a base number and does not include additional costs associated with nursing education, such as books, lab expenses, clinical placements, residence, and other related fees.
Further, nursing students can spend several years in nursing school, combining both undergraduate degrees and additional studies to enter various areas of specialty. This makes the cost of education quite expensive.
How To Finance Your Education As A Nurse
Many nursing students may require some level of financial assistance to cover the cost of school. The following are some options that students in the field of nursing may want to consider for financial support:
Government Student Loans
Both the federal and provincial governments offer student loan programs to eligible applicants.
Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (CSFA)
A popular government-backed student loan is the CSFA program, which provides financial assistance to full- and part-time students to help cover post-secondary education.
While you’re in school, you don’t have to make any loan payments. Upon graduation, you’ll have a 6-month grace period during which no payment is required. However, you must repay the loan amount, plus interest, when this period ends.
The federal grants program offers money to eligible post-secondary students who have a real financial need. Those who are accepted for federal grant money can put the funds toward education and are not required to repay the grant after graduation.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
A popular provincial financial program is OSAP, which offers financial assistance to full- and part-time Ontario students through student loans, scholarships, grants, and bursaries.
Learn how to apply for OSAP.
Private Student Loans
Some nursing students may not qualify for a government-backed student loan or need more money than what a government loan can offer. In these cases, a private student loan from a bank or other type of lender may be a better option.
The funds obtained through a private student loan can be used to cover all sorts of costs of education, including tuition, books, residence, transportation, food, and so forth.
Unlike federal student loans, repayments for private student loans may start right away, as each lender has their own repayment process. That means you may need to make payments to repay your private loan while you’re still in school. However, the payments can be spread out over a long period of time to help make it easier for you to manage this debt.
If you have good credit, you may qualify for a private student loan with a bank or credit union. This will help you secure the lowest rate. But if your credit score is low, you may need to apply for a personal loan for your nursing school tuition with an alternative lender. Their lending criteria are more flexible. However, you’ll likely be paying a higher interest rate.
No matter what type of lender you apply with, it’s a good idea to check your credit score in advance to get an idea of what you can qualify for. You can check your credit score for free with Loans Canada’s CompareHub.
Can You Be A Nurse In Canada With Foreign Education?
Canada welcomes nurses from all over the world to help fill the void in the workforce. Nurses with international education are critical to Canada’s healthcare system.
Immigrants to Canada with a nursing background are given priority in the immigration process, as nursing is currently an in-demand occupation all over the country. Newcomers to Canada who wish to obtain their permanent residence (PR) status may have more success if they are trained as nurses.
That said, it’s important to note that you must be fully licensed as a nurse in the province you choose to work in, though the licensing process can start while you’re still outside of Canada, depending on the province you intend to move to.
How To Become A Licensed Nurse In Canada
Before starting the process to become a licensed nurse in Canada, you should first determine what type of license you require. This will depend on the type of nurse you want to become.
In Canada, there are 3 types of nursing licenses you can pursue, including the following:
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
An NP license requires that you have a master’s degree in nursing or an advanced nursing credential with specialization and relevant work experience as a registered nurse. In some locations, you may first need to register for a Registered Nurse (RN) license before obtaining your NP license.
Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurse
You may be eligible for an RN license with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
You may be eligible for an LPN license with a diploma in nursing.
How To Get A Nursing License In Canada
The licensing process may differ slightly in each province and territory. In Ontario, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) oversees all categories of nurses.
If you’re a foreign nurse who wishes to live and work in Canada as a nurse, you must qualify for an NP, RN, or LPN license by completing a National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) application online before arriving in Canada. You’ll need to pay a fee, complete an application, and submit documents including the following:
- Identity documents
- Nursing education form
- Registration form
- Nursing employment form
Ways To Immigrate To Canada As A Nurse
If you’re currently working as a nurse outside of Canada, there are a handful of immigration programs that you can use to work in Canada as a nurse. These programs are geared specifically towards skilled workers like yourselves.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program offers express entry to skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. Minimum eligibility requirements include skilled experience on the job, education, and language ability. If you meet these minimum requirements, you’ll be eligible to apply for immigration under the FSW program.
Your application will then be assessed based on the following factors:
- Your age
- Your education
- Your work experience
- If you have a valid job offer
- Your English and/or French language skills
- How well you’re likely to settle in Canada
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Foreign workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada and intend to live in a specific province may apply under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These programs allow provinces to nominate foreign applicants with the skills and qualifications necessary to fill voids in the labour force, including nurses.
You must have specific skills, education, and relevant work experience that will contribute to the economy of the province or territory you wish to live in. If you want to apply through this program, you’ll need to apply through either the non-Express Entry or Express Entry program, depending on the specific Provincial Nominee Program stream.
In Ontario, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is the province’s economic-based immigration program that nominates foreign skilled workers that would fulfill Ontario’s economic needs. However, the federal government makes the final decision on whether to approve a nominee’s application for permanent residence.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a nurse in Canada looking for work or are a foreign nurse seeking employment in Canada as an immigrant, Ontario may be a great place to look. With the significant nursing shortages the province is currently facing, skilled nurses should have no problem finding employment. Not only is the work rewarding on a personal level, but the additional assistance would greatly help fill a need in the healthcare system and among the Canadians who depend on it.
