Canada has long been a dream destination for healthcare professionals. The country’s welcoming immigration pathways, inclusive culture, and global reputation for healthcare excellence attract thousands of nurses every year.

Yet, a recent Statistics Canada report has revealed a concerning reality: only 63% of internationally educated nurses in Canada are actually employed in nursing roles. The remaining professionals, many of whom arrive full of ambition and credentials, find themselves in lower-skilled jobs or facing unemployment.

This issue highlights a deeper problem, not a lack of talent, but a system filled with delays, high costs, and complex licensing barriers that keep qualified nurses from filling the roles Canada urgently needs.

Canada’s Nursing Shortage and the Hidden Potential of IENs

Hospitals across Canada are facing an unprecedented staffing crisis. In early 2025, there were nearly 69,000 vacancies in the healthcare sector, one of the highest across all industries. Despite this, many internationally educated nurses (IENs) are unable to practise their profession due to lengthy credential assessments and licensing hurdles.

A large number of nurses arriving from countries such as the Philippines, India, and Nigeria are highly skilled and have years of experience. Yet, they often end up working as personal support workers, caregivers, or in administrative roles while waiting for their licences.

This situation not only wastes valuable human potential but also strains a healthcare system already under immense pressure.

Why Are Internationally Educated Nurses Facing Barriers in Canada?

The journey from arrival to accreditation is neither simple nor affordable. Even after fast-track licensing programs were introduced during the pandemic, the process remains challenging.

Here’s what many IENs continue to face:

For nurses like Joanne Aguilar from the Philippines, balancing survival and ambition is a daily struggle. “I had to keep working to send money home,” she says. “I used to hear it’s not that easy, you need to study again, and that takes time and money.”

Voices from the Frontline: What Experts Say

Healthcare leaders and nursing educators agree that the problem isn’t lack of qualification — it’s lack of integration.

• Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), emphasises the need for equality:
  “These are very qualified people. If we want them to stay, we must treat them the same as Canadian graduates.”
• Edward Cruz, a nursing professor at the University of Windsor, points out that policy changes are helping, but not enough:
  “There’s still a lot to be done to help IENs transition. They shouldn’t be treated as temporary solutions but as long-term assets.”

These voices reflect a growing awareness that Canada’s healthcare future depends on the fair inclusion of internationally trained professionals.

What Needs to Change: A Roadmap for Improvement

Canada’s immigration and healthcare authorities are aware of the challenge, and steps are being taken. However, the pace must accelerate.

Key Actions that Can Drive Change

• Simplify licensing pathways for internationally educated nurses in Canada.
• Increase funding support for training, exams, and bridging programs.
• Recognise foreign credentials more transparently through standardised global frameworks.
• Encourage employers to provide mentorship programs for new immigrant nurses.

The goal should be to transform IEN integration from a slow bureaucratic process into an efficient, welcoming experience that values global expertise.

The Human Cost: When Dreams Are Put on Hold

Behind every statistic lies a personal story. For many IENs, Canada represents not just a career but a promise, a chance to live with dignity, serve communities, and contribute meaningfully.

Yet, for some, that dream pauses at the licensing gate. Mark Vincent Ong, another Filipino nurse, explains:
“I haven’t started the process yet because it’s really hard to juggle work, time, and finances. Everything here is rising – rent, food, transport. It’s not easy to start over.”

These stories serve as reminders that policy reform isn’t just paperwork; it’s people’s lives.

Time to Empower Internationally Educated Nurses in Canada

The challenges faced by internationally educated nurses in Canada are not new, but they are increasingly urgent. Canada’s healthcare system depends on them, and yet, they depend on Canada to open fair and faster pathways.

By reforming licensing systems, recognising foreign training, and investing in integration programs, Canada can unlock a workforce that’s already here and ready to serve. It’s time to turn ambition into action for the nurses who chose Canada and the patients who need them most.