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2,487 Posts
8,343 Posts
OK, our far north is a very specialized place to work. The further north you go, the greater the demand for NPs but you are it. Usually in isolated outposts, you are the only source of medical aide until a medivac flies in.
Many of the major surgeries, high risk deliveries, etc from the Yukon, Nunavut, and NWT are flown south. My hospital does the high risk deliveries and many surgeries for the NWT.
Diabetes, mental health issues, and alcohol are some of the main issues a nurse there faces. There are also the cultural issues to factor in.
Working up there qualifies you for tax exemptions (I think it's north of the 60th parallel). Wages are seen as "good" but cost of living is worse. There is the isolation factor and the long dark winters to factor in. You either love it up there or come back as soon as your contract ends.
2,487 Posts
2,487 Posts
NotReady4PrimeTime, RN
5 Articles; 7,358 Posts
Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland are currently still recruiting. Expect this demand to drop off as the recession continues and nurses from other provinces (Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario) begin migration.