Canada wages

Sarah, RNBScN · Sep 21, 2003

I am paid top grid at $33.75 / hour. That is in a part time position so I am paid out 9% in lieu of benefits. I also contribute to the pension plan. I have been nursing for 10 years. I live in Ontario (Northern).

BScN's from my knowledge, make more money but not at the hospital where I work. Regardless if your a diploma or degree nurse, you write the same exam for your RN licence. When I worked for the Health Unit, BScN. is paid more than the RN's at $1.50 hr. more.

If your in this profession for the love of nursing, people and sciences...congrats. If your in it for the money, become a chartered accountant or something that isn't shift work.

All the best,

Sarah

DMR1 · Sep 22, 2003

How can you say that making almost $34 isn't good money? are you crazy?!?!

Sometimes, I really don't understand some people. I mean...how can you not live a comfortable, worry free (financially) lifestyle on this type of pay? People are always saying, if you're in it for the money, go somewhere else. HELLO!!! Many, many, many many many jobs that require degrees pay MUCH lower than nursing! In my province, I'll be making somewhere around $24 or something starting. I will then go back to school after a year and become a Nurse Practitioner. NP's make more money than RN's.

If you are wise with your money, you'll have PLENTY of it, and be able to live a VERY NICE lifestyle.

bellasalsera · Sep 22, 2003

In Toronto, where I live, $34/hour is ok, but not great if you have student loans and a family to support. I made 60K last year as an internal auditor for a bank, and I still don't own a car or a home. A decent home in a decent area will cost me at least $300,000--and believe me, this will not be a special home. I am faced with having to move home to my parents (in another city) so that I can complete my dream of being a nurse.

I guess it all depends on what one is accustomed to. $34 may be a lot to one person, but not another.

ajaxgirl · Sep 22, 2003

To DMR1

I really dont think that is a great salary. I am a woman and thank god my husband makes a good living because we would NEVER survive on that. I have 2 kids, a house, 2 cars and money goes fast. It is an ok slary if both husband and wife work.I would guess you dont have a house and kids because I USED to think it was a good salary until I got all these expenses.

Gailsimpson · Sep 24, 2003

Ajaxgirl

Just a query - do you live in Ajax? We are moving from the UK in October and will be renting a house in Ajax. I have been past it many times (on the 401) when we have visited relatives but don't know what it is like.

I start work at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto at the beginning of November - so lets hope the GO train is efficient to get me there on time!!!!

My children will be going to Lord Elgin School, they are apprehensive but excited.

If you have any "tips" on Ajax they will be greatly appreciated.

Gail

ajaxgirl · Sep 24, 2003

Yes I do live in Ajax. I like it. It is close to Toronto without all of the big city headache. How old are your kids? Mine are 4 and 2. The GO train should be pretty efficent. What area(dept) are you working in? What is brinnging you here from the UK.

If you have any questions feel free to e mail me. What part of town are you renting in. I am near Westney.

Gailsimpson · Sep 24, 2003

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think we are probably having a mid-life crisis and it was the deciding factor in bringing us over !!!!!

I have relatives - now in Whitby and Cobourg- and have been wanting to come over for many years. Every time we visited we thought about it but the timing never seemed right. We were over last August and I think we had both had enough of the UK, especially when your petrol is half the price of ours !!!!

I approached various hospitals, expecting them to say no, but St Mikes said yes and we started on the very long road of getting our visas. I will be working on the med/surg ICU but haven't actually visited it yet, so it's all a bit scary. At the moment I am a sister in PACU, we get a lot of ventilated patients and act as ICU overflow. Before working in PACU I worked in the ICU for 8 years -the hospital is the largest in Europe and the patients were extremely ill. In spite of having lots of experience and the UK equivalent of CCRN I am still very apprehensive, and find the thought of taking my RN exam rather daunting.

Our daughters are aged 11 and 8, the oldest one has just started high school over here so is now rather miffed that she will be going to Elementary school in Canada.

We will be living on Gardiner Drive which is quite near Lord Elgin school (according to Mapquest!!!!). We have got a 6-month rental which gives us time to look around to buy. Unfortunately we haven't sold our house over here yet, but are hoping that it won't be too long. Our house prices are really high and we could buy a decent house outright, or pay a bit extra and have a small mortgage in Canada - so that was another deciding factor in our relocation.

The commute downtown will be a whole new experience as I am not far away from work over here. If we settle in Ajax I will probably think about working closer, it all depends on how things work out. Do you work locally or also have a commute?

I am really looking forward to coming over in spite of all the worries. It will be interesting to see the similarities and differences between the Canadian and UK hospitals.

Cheers, Gail

ajaxgirl · Sep 25, 2003

I am an OR nurse but I am only working casual-by choice since right now I want to be home with my kids. At least I am keeping my foot in the door. I work in a rural hospital, very small. It takes 30 minutes to drive there. My husband's family lives in Whitby. I am sure you will like it here.

When do you take your RN exam? I wrote it 7 yrs ago, it was not bad at all.

You are about going to be about 5 minutes from where I live. That is so weird. Maybe eventually you will get a job at the Ajax-Pickering Hospital(Rouge Valley). That would be so close for you, or even Oshawa (I used to work there).

LydiaGreen · Oct 17, 2003

I guess the dollar amounts and the value of them all depend on where you live and the cost of living there. Before returning to school to become a diploma RN, I was a stay-at-home mom. We have survived quite well on my husband's salary (ranges anywhere from $50,000 - $80,000/ year). I only needed OSAP during the first year and though I do not graduate until May of 2004, I have been paying on my OSAP loan since December 2002. When I begin working, my husband will stop industrial construction and work for himself in residential construction (making about 20% less money) so that he will be more available for the kids while I am working the 12-hour shifts at the hospital. Touch wood that we have not required a second income, but in Northwestern Ontario, a nurse making $34/hour is very well off financially - I know of more than one that is the family bread winner while the husband stayed home with the kids. I got into nursing because I love it; the money is a bonus... pay off our mortgage, reno the house, pay for the kids' educations. I have heard the cost of living in Toronto is ridiculous! $300,000 for a house!?! A house that is not a mansion!?! Here, a $300,000 house is a palace! We have a decent house on a huge lot and we paid less than $100,000. Northwestern Ontario may be colder than TO, but I think I'll definitely stay here.

BCGirl · Oct 15, 2008

hi there,

I have also been wondering about wages around canada. I have applied to my university to take the BScN at my university and am looking around as to wear I want to woek when I get out. I live in BC's lowermainland where a $300,000 house is the bargain basement price for an older home. I already have debt from previous schooling and life, so am trying to make an informed decision as to where I should live and work. Have any of you worked around the country?

i have always wanted to work out east, maybe new brunswick, or somewhere on the coast. Has anybody had any experience on what the nursing conditions are like out there?

Thanks

BCGirl

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 16, 2008

This is a very old thread. The OP is from 2003. Since that time there have been many related posts and threads. In fact, there is a sticky at the top of the Canadian forum home page that gives a cross-country comparison of wages and benefits. The sticky is entitled... wait for it... Cross Country Comparison of Wages and Benefits... https://allnurses.com/forums/f108/cross-country-comparison-wages-benefits-285829.html

Hopefully there will be some replies to your question about the Maritimes. I've worked in Manitoba and Alberta. I think Manitoba has the superior union, but Alberta offers my family the best lifestyle so we won't be going back.