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.

Source National Occupational Classification

Professional certification and licensing

You might need to get a certification from a regulatory authority before you start working. Find out if this occupation is regulated in your province or territory.

Table listing provincial regulation requirements
Location Job title Regulation Regulatory body
Alberta Registered Nurses Regulated College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Regulated College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA)
British Columbia Nurse (Registered) Regulated British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals
Nurse, Psychiatric Regulated British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals
Manitoba Registered Nurse Regulated College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
Psychiatric Nurse Regulated College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba
New Brunswick Registered Nurse Regulated Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB)
Newfoundland and Labrador Registered Nurse Regulated Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories Registered Nurse Regulated Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Nova Scotia Registered Nurse Regulated Nova Scotia College of Nursing
Ontario Registered Nurse Regulated College of Nurses of Ontario
Prince Edward Island Registered Nurse Regulated College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Prince Edward Island
Québec Registered Nurse Regulated Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec
Nurse (clinical) Regulated Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec
Saskatchewan Registered Nurse Regulated Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association
Nurse (registered Psychiatric) Regulated Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan
Yukon Registered Nurse Regulated Yukon Registered Nurses Association
Registered Psychiatric Nurses Regulated Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Government of Yukon

Source Foreign Credential Recognition Program - ESDC

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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