Registered Nurse (RN)
Canada's most in-demand healthcare profession - rewarding, flexible, and essential to every community.
Registered Nurse (RN) Salary in Canada
Registered Nurse (RN)s in Canada earn about $65,000 at entry level and around $110,000 in senior roles.
- Entry level: $65,000
- Senior level: $110,000
Nurse Practitioners (NP) earn $100,000-$150,000. ICU and specialty nurses typically earn more.
About the Career
Canada faces a critical nursing shortage. RN graduates are essentially guaranteed employment across all provinces.
Job Outlook
High Growth demand. Canada faces a critical nursing shortage. RN graduates are essentially guaranteed employment across all provinces.
How to Get There
- 4-yr BScN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
- Time to career: 4 years post-Grade 12
Degrees That Lead Here
- Nursing (BScN) – high 80s to low 90s - very competitive at McMaster, UofT, UBC
Key Skills
- Clinical Assessment
- Patient Care & Compassion
- Medication Safety
- Teamwork & Communication
- Stress Management
Typical Employers
- Hospitals
- Long-term care homes
- Community health clinics
- Home care agencies
- Public health units
High School Roadmap
- Volunteer at hospitals or care homes. Take Biology. Research the difference between RN, RPN, and NP.
- Continue Biology and Chemistry. Increase healthcare volunteering hours - direct patient contact matters.
- Aim for 85%+ especially in Biology. Research BScN programs - McMaster, UofT, UBC, and Queens are strong.
- Apply to BScN programs. Highlight your healthcare volunteering experience in your personal statement.
Top Universities for This Path
- McMaster University – Hamilton, ON
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- Queen's University – Kingston, ON
- University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Insider Tips
- BScN programs are very competitive at top schools - McMaster and UofT often require 90%+ averages.
- Clinical placement experience during your degree is extensive - you will work in hospitals from early in your program.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a growing role in Canada - requires a master's degree after RN but significantly expands scope of practice.