Canada Gains Young Nurses, Yet Skilled Immigrants Face Hurdles

Canada's healthcare workforce is attracting younger workers, but new figures also highlight a challenge for immigrants whose education does not match the jobs they hold.

Statistics Canada reports that licensed practical nurses had a workforce renewal ratio of 3.2 in 2025, the highest among selected healthcare occupations. Meanwhile, earlier census findings show many recent immigrant practical nurses hold university degrees, raising questions about how Canada recognizes international training.

Younger Nurses Enter the Workforce

The renewal ratio compares workers aged 25 to 34 with those aged 55 to 64. A ratio of 3.2 means roughly three younger practical nurses for every older worker approaching retirement age.

Canada employed approximately 66,800 licensed practical nurses in 2025. Across all healthcare occupations, the renewal ratio was 1.9. Registered nursing occupations recorded 2.2, while physicians recorded 1.6.

These numbers suggest younger workers are entering some healthcare fields faster than older employees approach retirement.

However, they do not show whether hospitals and clinics have enough staff.

Statistics Canada reported a 12.3 per cent job vacancy rate for licensed practical nurses in 2025, showing that staffing pressures remained despite their younger age profile.

Immigration Supports Renewal

Immigration contributes to the supply of younger healthcare workers, particularly in practical nursing.

For Canada, this matters as an aging population increases demand for medical services. Still, bringing workers into the country cannot solve shortages without effective recruitment, professional licensing and workplace retention.

Workers may also change occupations or leave demanding jobs, affecting future staffing.

Educated Immigrants Face a Skills Mismatch

Statistics Canada's 2021 census findings reveal another concern.

Among recent immigrants employed as licensed practical nurses, 62 per cent held a bachelor's degree or higher. The comparable figure for Canadian-born registered nurses was 61.8 per cent.

About 49 per cent of those recent immigrant practical nurses held a foreign degree in a healthcare field.

The comparison does not establish that every degree holder qualifies to practise as a registered nurse. It does suggest that some internationally educated workers may hold qualifications above those typically required for their current positions.

Immigration Approval Is Not a Nursing Licence

Canada's immigration programs and nursing regulators assess different things.

An applicant may qualify to immigrate based on education and employment experience but still need provincial or territorial approval before working as a nurse.

Registration requirements can include assessments of education, work history, language skills, professional competence and examinations.

As a result, immigration approval does not guarantee access to the same occupation an applicant held abroad.

Planning Before Moving Matters

Internationally trained nurses should research the regulator in their intended province before choosing an immigration pathway.

Checking required documents, examinations, additional training and expected timelines can help applicants understand their options and costs.

For policymakers, the findings point to two connected challenges: attracting enough healthcare workers and helping qualified newcomers use their skills while protecting patient safety.

Canada's younger nursing workforce offers encouragement. Making better use of internationally trained talent remains essential to meeting healthcare needs nationwide.