Immigrant Nurses in Canada: Study Shows 63% Secure Nursing Careers

A new study from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in partnership with Statistics Canada, reveals that a majority of immigrant nurses in Canada are successfully finding employment in their chosen field. The report shows that 63% of newcomers who intended to work as nurses between 2010 and 2020 secured nursing positions by 2021. However, 25% ended up in lower-skilled health or non-health jobs or unemployed, showing that challenges remain in fully utilizing immigrant talent in Canada’s health care sector.

Canadian Work Experience Boosts Success

One of the most important findings is that pre-admission Canadian work experience significantly improves employment outcomes. Immigrants with Canadian work experience had alignment rates almost 30 percentage points higher than those without. Similarly, the Canadian study experience also improved results, although much of this advantage came from related work experience. This clearly shows that exposure to the Canadian labor market before permanent settlement plays a critical role in helping internationally educated nurses find jobs in their intended professions.

Unexpected Career Pathways in Nursing

The study also highlights a surprising trend. By 2021, 65% of immigrant nurses in Canada had not originally planned to pursue nursing careers at the time of admission. Instead, they transitioned into nursing after becoming permanent residents. Only 35% had planned to work as nurses from the beginning. This reflects the evolving and flexible career choices of immigrants, where retraining and post-immigration education often open doors to new opportunities.

Differences Across Nursing Roles and Backgrounds

Outcomes varied depending on the type of nursing role. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) had the highest alignment rate at 74%, compared to 61% for registered nurses (RNs). The gap reflects tougher credential recognition and licensing hurdles faced by RNs.

Demographics also influenced outcomes:

• Women had higher alignment rates than men.
• Younger immigrants succeeded more often in entering nursing.
• English-speaking immigrants had higher alignment rates than French-speaking or bilingual candidates.

Immigrants from the Caribbean and Europe achieved stronger alignment percentages compared to those from Asia, despite Asian countries making up the majority of internationally educated nurses.

The Value of Nurses Who Did Not Intend Nursing Careers

The research also shows the important contribution of immigrants who entered nursing even though they had not planned it before admission. Many arrived through family, dependent, or refugee pathways and later retrained in Canada. These individuals were often younger, more likely to study in Canada, and in many cases earned lower wages compared to those who had intended to be nurses. Still, they represent a critical addition to the workforce during times of nursing shortages.

The Future of Immigrant Nurses in Canada

Overall, the findings highlight both progress and gaps in workforce integration. While more than 60% of immigrants who intended to work as nurses reached their goal, 1 in 4 remained unemployed or in lower-skilled jobs. At the same time, the fact that 65% of immigrant nurses in Canada had not originally planned to pursue nursing shows the untapped potential within the immigration system. With health care labor shortages across the country, immigrant nurses in Canada will continue to play a vital role. Stronger support for credential recognition, targeted training, and expanded opportunities for those retraining after immigration will be essential to ensuring Canada’s health care system remains strong and sustainable.