Northern Nursing

[adventureRN15]

Hi all,

I am an RN in Ontario with previous float experience (primarily ER and ICU), and I am now working full time in the ICU. I am looking into outpost nursing in northern Ontario and Canada. Apart from the Health Canada website, I am having a hard time finding good resources or information on northern nursing. Is there anyone with current outpost experience who could answer some questions for me? I am wondering:

Are you employed with Health Canada or another agency? How does working for each differ?

How long are your contracts typically? How much time do you have to commit to in a year? How much flexibility do you have in selecting your contracts?

How much experience did you have before nursing in the north?

Any information or insight would be greatly appreciated!

[GBC_Student, BSN, RN]

I've never done it, but while back I looked into working in Nunavut. If you check their territorial website you can find job postings. The money seemed pretty good. Off the top of my head it was around $93,000 base salary, plus $15,000 or $20,000 northern living allowance and there was a signing bonus, don't quote me but it was $5000-8000 if you sign for one year and I think at 20 months another $5000 to stay and then another bonus at the two year mark.

The thing to keep in mind is although the wage is fantastic cost of living in more isolated areas can be pretty expensive. Food is mostly shipped in and housing is limited.

But check out the various territorial websites. They have some info on it. When I applied I was a jew grad and they told me I needed at least a year of experience before they'd consider hiring me. There was a blog I read about people who move to Nunavut and how expensive it is, but it also had tips on saving money, like having a shipping container full of food sent up to you. If I find it I'll post it.

[hellohobbit]

AHS is hiring northern nursing now. They’re advertising everywhere. I’m sure with your ER and ICU experience, you’re the perfect candidate.

I’m very keen in joining doctors without border since one mission is about 4-6 months. I’m new grad currently working in ER and hope eventually I can gain some ICU experience. Just wondering if it’s easy to switch from ER to ICU and how years did you stay with ER before the switch? Thanks!

[Parrhesia, BSN, RN]

Check out Northern Health Authority in BC. There are definitely job openings. If you are interested in working in remote nursing stations in northern British Columbia with First Nations People, check out First Nations Health Authority.