A Beginner’s Guide To Landing Your First Travel Nurse Job In Canada
So you’ve decided you want to become a travel nurse.
Perhaps you saw a nurse on Instagram living their best life during their day off, kayaking through a stream on Manitoulin Island. Maybe you were scrolling Tiktok and a travel RN located in Northwest Territories popped up dancing with the sparkle of the Northern Lights as a backdrop. Perchance your cousin Eric (twice removed) piqued some envy by posting their weekend getaway whale spotting in Twillingate, Newfoundland. Or, did your ears perk up through mumblings of the generous pay package that comes with being contracted as a travel nurse?
Whatever the case, you’re here, which must mean you have at least a smidgen of interest in the exhilarating (and lucrative) world of life as a travel nurse in Canada. We recognize that it can be a confusing road for those who don’t know someone personally that’s gone this route in their career (twice removed cousins aside). So let us tell you exactly how to do it, all laid out in three easily digestible steps!
Step 1: The Non-Negotiables
First thing’s first, let’s make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row! There are a few non-negotiable items you’ll need in order to find a job as a travel nurse in Canada.
1. You are able to legally work in Canada
The first basic requirement is that you have either citizenship or the legal right to work in Canada. There are ways of receiving Canadian sponsorship as an international nurse, however describing the ins and outs of that process would require an entirely new article to break down. So for the sake of brevity, let’s assume you’ve got the legal right to work box checked off and zip along to the next item on the list.
2. You have a nursing degree or diploma matching your field of interest
The next non-negotiable is schooling that matches your desired job. To become a travel nurse in all provinces and territories in Canada, you’ll need a diploma or degree in your specific field of nursing. On top of that, you’ll be asked to provide proof that your diploma or degree is in good standing through the College of Nurses.
Got that covered? Great!
3. You have the right certifications
Next up is a list of certifications that will vary from province to province (and territory).
Here’s an idea of what these certifications can include:
Valid BLS (Basic Life Support)
Completed Surge Learning
Recent CRC/Vulnerable record check within the past 180 days
Evidence of current CPR certification
TB Skin Test (completed within a year: otherwise 1-step if between 1-2 years old, 2-step if older than 3 years)
If the varying nature of this list seems overwhelming to you, don’t fret. Most (if not all) of these certifications will already be required of you by the current province or territory you practice in. If not? Your agency will be able to help guide you through the completion of any outstanding certifications. On top of this, in most cases the certifications don’t take a great deal of time to complete. So even if you’re missing a certification or two, you’re still well on your way to becoming a travel nurse!
4. You have full COVID-19 vaccination status
Next up is providing proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination. Although the rules around COVID-19 vaccinations are constantly changing, currently you will be required to provide proof of immunization for the vast majority of contracts. This includes having received a full dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada (which is classified as 3 doses in total), with the third dose administered a minimum of 14 days prior to the start of your contract.
5. You’ve got the right soft skills
Certifications, schooling and vaccinations aside—just as with any other job—there are a list of soft skills you’ll be required to encompass.
Here are some examples of soft skills that you can come to expect, based on what the top travel nurse agencies have listed on their applications:
Proven ability to effectively communicate with all levels of clinical and non-clinical field employees and interpret company policies
Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to handle difficult situations in an objectively consistent format
Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team
Proven ability to perform and prioritize multiple functions and tasks
Proven ability to prioritize care and demonstrate critical thinking skills
Proven ability to travel from assignment to assignment
6. You have a minimum of 2 years experience in your field
Finally, if you’re a recent grad hoping to snag a job as a travel nurse, in most cases you’ll have to hold tight just a little while longer. This is because the bulk of travel nurse contracts will require you to have a minimum of 2 years of recent experience in your field before your contract commences. However, in some cases, new grads may be hired if they meet all other qualifications, so don’t get discouraged!
Got all the basics under your belt? We couldn’t be happier for you! Now onto the next step.
Step 2: The Job Hunt
Aside from all the sleepless nights it takes to finish a degree or diploma in nursing, the job hunt is admittedly on the more gruelling side of the three steps. However, in the interest of looking on the bright side, travel nurses are currently in high-demand. This means that it is now easier than it has ever been to secure a travel nurse contract in Canada. And with that in mind, let us tell you exactly where to find your first contract!
Tip #1: Indeed
The first and most obvious place to look are job application websites like Indeed and Monster. Most employers will use aggregators that post their job listings across all the main sites, so we recommend focusing your energy on just one. For the Canadian nursing market in particular, Indeed is the website with the most listings. What’s great about this site is that:
a) you only need to upload your resume and profile once to save yourself time when applying to different contracts, and
b) based on your profile, Indeed will recommend you to employers that match your skills and qualifications.
Tip #2: LinkedIn
To cover all your bases, you should also make sure that your Linkedin profile is up to date and optimized for your desired job search. This means filling out your About section using keywords like “RN”, “LPN” or whatever your credentials consist of. The amazing thing about LinkedIn is that recruiters spend a lot of time on the platform. Without even needing to apply for jobs, just by filling out your profile and engaging with your professional community on a regular basis, you’ll find that recruiters will start popping up in your inbox. Start by following leaders in the healthcare industry, liking your coworker’s posts and following groups related to healthcare. Beyond this more passive approach, which is great if you aren’t necessarily looking for a travel nurse contract immediately, LinkedIn of course also has their own job posting platform. You may come across a lot of duplicate listings between Indeed & Linkedin, but if you’re willing to invest the time, it can be worth the look.
Tip #3: Facebook groups
Another great place to look for travel nursing jobs are in private Facebook groups. Not only can you network with other travel nurses and add some job hunting tips to your arsenal, you’ll find that recruiters are plentiful in these niche groups as well.
Here’s a list of some of the most active Facebook groups for travel nurses:
Travel Nursing Jobs (Not great for finding Canadian based contracts but provides awesome tips and support)
Tip #4: Google search
If you’re looking for yet another way to secure a travel nursing job, Google may be your new best friend. Just by simply typing in keywords such as “Travel Nurse Job Canada” or “Travel Nurse Job + [insert the city or province you have your eye on]” you’ll find an endless roster of agencies and job postings looking for nurses to fulfil roles. For an even more targeted approach, try typing in the specific type of nursing job you’re looking for, such as “Emergency,” “Long Term Care” or “Hemodialysis.”
Tip #5: Follow agencies on social media
Our final tip for your job hunting journey is to follow agencies on social media. CHL posts the jobs we are actively hiring for every week on Instagram and Linkedin. By following us on these platforms, you’ll be sure to never miss an opportunity and be among the first to apply when a new contract pops up.
Between Indeed, Linkedin, Facebook groups, Google and following agencies on social media, your job search will be off to the races! With the full suite of non-negotiables in your tool-belt and an aggressive approach to job hunting, the only thing left to do before packing your suitcase is choosing your pick of the litter when it comes to agencies.
Step 3: Choosing The Right Agency
With dozens of Canadian agencies placing nurses on travel contracts, it’s important to know what benefits are available so you’re able to properly advocate for yourself during the hiring process.
Here are some of the things travel nursing agencies can offer you:
Travel expenses to your destination included (this can include the cost of flights or gas if you choose to drive to your deployment location)
State of the art accommodation during your deployment included (this can also include dependents)
Pet-friendly accommodations
Transportation stipend for getting to and from work, or a car rental provided
Highly competitive wages in comparison to non-travel nursing contracts
Flexible contract terms (usually starting at 30 days minimum and going up to 12 months)
Flexible work schedules that allow you time off to explore your new location
Referral programs for suggesting the agency to your friends, family and colleagues
Retention bonuses for subsequent contracts with the agency
Support and monetary help with licensure and documentation
Opportunities / support in engaging with other travel nurses in your new location. Making friends is important!
We’ve made it this far along in the article with nary a shameless plug, so we had to sneak this in here! Canadian Health Labs provides the nurses contracted with us with all of the above benefits. We pride ourselves on supporting the nurses contracted with us from A-Z. This means that from the moment you sign on the dotted line, right through to the end of your contract, we’re there to support you.
Now, getting back to the makings of an exceptional agency! Beyond the above list of what an agency can offer you in your contract, other aspects to keep on your radar when looking for an agency are as follows:
Agencies with contracts in multiple provinces and/or territories
Some agencies specialize in only one province or area of the country. If you’re looking to complete multiple contracts throughout multiple corners of the country, it may be in your best interest to go with an agency that can provide you with that flexibility. This will cut down on the time it takes to job hunt when securing a second contract. Additionally, if your agency offers retention bonuses, going this route allows you to enjoy the monetary incentive of sticking with the same agency.
Agencies with great online reviews
Most of the platforms used in your job hunt include a section for reviews from previous and current employees. Take a peek at what the agency’s reviews look like before making your decision to get a feel for how they operate as a company.
Agencies with contracts available in various specialties
Agencies that are able to offer diversified contracts in various specialties can be valuable to those who are interested in multiple areas of nursing. Especially if you already have more than one specialty under your belt, choosing an agency with this in mind may serve you well during your second or third travel nursing contract.
You’ve made it to the end of the beginner’s guide to securing your first travel nurse contract! All in all, if you don’t have everything on the above list checked off, don’t get discouraged. Great things take time!
On the flip side, if you read this article whispering “check, check, check” to every item on the list, what are you waiting for? You can take a look at all the open opportunities CHL has for travel nurses here. Don’t see something that fits your skills or preferences at the moment? Follow us on Instagram and Linkedin to be the first to hear of new opportunities. Happy job hunting!
