Living in Quebec with an Ontario RPN licence

dishes, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2016

When you say you want to continue your nursing in Ottawa, does that mean you currently work in Ottawa as a RPN? If so, ask your employer if are allowed to live in Quebec and work in Ottawa.

In regards to a Quebec license, look on oiiq org under admission instructions/ licensure/ nurse from another province.

LilianGrace · Sep 18, 2016

I currently live and work in Whitby (just outside of Toronto). I'm planning on moving to Quebec but still want to work in Ontario (Ottawa). I'm just not sure if the CNO allows you to work in one province if you live in another even if I do have my licence to practice in the province I would be working in.

dishes, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2016

I don't know the answer, but suggest you phone a couple Ottawa hospital HR departments and ask if they hire Ontario licensed nurses who live in Quebec.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Sep 18, 2016

As far as I'm aware, as long as you have a permit to practice it doesn't matter where you live. I know several people who live in Windsor who work in Detroit and more than a few nurses who live in Lloydminster, Alberta who work in Saskatchewan, which is where Lloyd's hospital is. Nurses on the pediatric transport team at the Stollery in Edmonton have permits to practice in all four western provinces, Nunavut, the Territories and the Yukon because they pick up critically ill children from all of those.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2016

You can live wherever you choose, provided that you are licensed in the Province you are employed.

Many nurses live and work in separate Provinces. I know a few nurses who live in AB but work in and are licensed in Saskatchewan.

You will likely meet other nurses who live in Que and work in Ottawa. It's common.

LilianGrace · Sep 18, 2016

Thank you everyone!

CanadianRN16 · Sep 19, 2016

I live in Ottawa and many of my co-workers are Quebec residents, it's only a problem if you seek healthcare services in Ontario after rescinding your OHIP.

It'll save you a big headache and pay cut to keep working in Ontario.

LilianGrace · Sep 19, 2016

I live in Ottawa and many of my co-workers are Quebec residents, it's only a problem if you seek healthcare services in Ontario after rescinding your OHIP.
It'll save you a big headache and pay cut to keep working in Ontario.

So do you recommend staring to work in Ontario then? What do you mean by a big headache?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2016

Quebec nurses are the lowest paid in the country. Health care aides in many Provinces make as much money as an RN in Quebec.

Also, you will need to pass a French exam in order to maintain registration in Quebec, in addition to their RN licensing requirements.

Big headache.

CanadianRN16 · Sep 21, 2016

Beyond the fees to have the CNO transfer your credentials to the OIIAQ, you have to take the OQLF professional French exam (or retake high school French) unless you completed secondary school or CEGEP/ college in a French setting.

I would suggest remaining in Ontario for work, you'll still be taxed the Quebec rate but be compensated better!

RN_3000 · Mar 4, 2017

You should live in the Gatineau area, which is right accros the bridge from Ottawa. Like others said in this post, yes you can live in QuÃ©bec but work in Ontario as long as you have a valid license with the CNO.

Also to transfer your license to QuÃ©bec, you will need to have a minimum of 500 hours of work in Ontario and will have to show proficiency in French.