You might have already read our blog covering international travel nursing. Nursing abroad is quite lucrative and can give nurses the opportunity to see parts of the world they normally wouldn’t get to. What if I told you there was a way to be an international travel nurse while still being close enough to come home regularly for the holidays? That’s right! Travel nursing in Canada will give you the international experience while still allowing you to stay in close contact with those at home. It’s time to consider our neighbors to the north for your next travel nurse assignment. What are you waiting for? Below we’ll take a look at some of the best reasons to consider travel nursing in Canada.
Travel Nursing in Canada
One of the biggest myths about travel nursing in Canada is that it’s exactly the same as travel nursing in the states. Many nurses will ask, “why would I want to travel nurse up there when I can do the exact same thing and be in the exact same environment but closer to home?” Well, Canada travel nursing actually has a ton of important differences, which we’ll go into below!
Assignment Length
Those familiar with travel nursing in the U.S. will know that assignments are usually around 13 weeks long. In Canada however, you can pick up the assignments that suit you best. These assignments usually range from one week to one or two months. If you just want to dip your toes into a specialty or travel nursing in another country, a short travel nursing assignment in Canada will allow you to do just that.
The Healthcare System
While it might not actually affect you as an employee, it’s still important to be aware of the differences in the healthcare systems between Canada and the U.S. Those in the U.S. often have private health insurance that will only cover certain aspects of healthcare. While the price is greatly reduced and often covered in full, there are many times where a patient will be footing the bill. The Canada healthcare system is a little different. They have a provincial health card and can go to any clinic or hospital and by presenting this card they are provided with all health care services. FOR FREE. Canadian residents do not get billed for any hospital stay, necessary surgery, or products that are used while admitted.
Licensing
Before you can jump right into travel nursing in Canada, you need to be aware of the licensing situation. In the states, nurses must obtain a license for the specific state that they would like to travel nurse in. Similar to that, to become a Canadian travel nurse, you must get the required license in the province that you want to travel nurse in. The licensing process can get expensive, so if you plan to hop from province to province, be prepared to spend a pretty penny getting all the needed licenses.
Other Financial Benefits
It’s all fine and dandy to be able to travel nurse in a different country, but you still need to be able to pay the bills. While the nurse pay in Canada is about the same as the pay in the U.S., the reimbursement opportunities are abundant when you decide to travel nurse in Canada. Travel nurses are entitled to “tax-free” stipends like northern isolation allowances, per diem, etc. but it differs according to the assignment. Before hiring, the recruiter would discuss that with you and it will show on your work contract as well.
Do you have experience travel nursing in Canada? If so, tell us about it! Also, we’ve got thousands of assignments waiting to be filled, so apply today!
