C.A. · Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1803385)

NOC 2021 · 31301 · TEER 1

NOC 31301: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses provide direct nursing care to patients, deliver health education programs and provide consultative services regarding issues relevant to the practice of nursing. They are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, community agencies, companies, private homes and public and private organizations or they may be self-employed.

TEER

TEER 1

Usually needs a university degree

Median wage (Canada)

$43.27 / hour

Job Bank, 2023-2024

High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)

Tier 2

+40 CRS for Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer

Express Entry categories

Healthcare and social services

Category-based draws (2026)

Express Entry

How NOC 31301 counts for Express Entry

  • Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
  • Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
  • Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.

High-wage CRS points

NOC 31301 is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.

12+ months of Canadian work+40 points on top of work-length points
Qualifying job offer (no LMIA)70 points

You get whichever option scores higher, not both.

See all 186 high-wage occupations

Category-based draws

  • Healthcare and social services

At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equal part-time) in the past 3 years in one listed occupation, plus Express Entry eligibility and the round instructions.

IRCC category lists

Duties

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • General duty registered nurses
  • Assess patients to identify appropriate nursing interventions
  • Collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary health team to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate patient care in consultation with patients and their families
  • Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by a physician or according to established policies and protocols
  • Monitor, assess, address, document and report symptoms and changes in patients' conditions
  • Operate or monitor medical apparatus or equipment
  • Assist in surgery and other medical procedures
  • May supervise licensed practical nurses and other nursing staff
  • May develop and implement discharge planning process on admission of patients
  • May teach and counsel patients and their families on health-related issues in collaboration with other health care providers.
  • Registered nurses may specialize in areas such as surgery, obstetrics care, psychiatric care, critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, community health, occupational health, emergency care, rehabilitation or oncology.
  • Occupational health nurses
  • Develop and implement employee health education programs and provide registered nursing care in private businesses and industry.
  • Community health nurses
  • Provide health education and registered nursing care in public health units and through home visits, manage complex home care cases, participate in community needs assessment and program development, conduct disease screening and deliver immunization programs.
  • Registered psychiatric nurses
  • Provide nursing care, supportive counselling and life skills programming to patients in psychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, long-term care facilities and community-based settings.
  • Nursing researchers and consultants
  • Engaged in research activities related to nursing, as self-employed or as employed by hospitals, public and private organizations and governments.
  • Provide consultative services to institutes, associations and health care organizations regarding issues and concerns relevant to the nursing profession and nursing practice.
  • Clinical nurses
  • Provide leadership, advice and counsel on the provision of research-based care for specific patient groups within the care of particular health care organizations.

For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.

Job titles

Example job titles

  • clinical nurse
  • community health nurse
  • critical care nurse
  • emergency care nurse
  • intensive care nurse
  • nurse researcher
  • nursing consultant
  • occupational health nurse
  • private duty nurse
  • public health nurse
  • registered nurse (R.N.)
  • registered psychiatric nurse (R.P.N.)
All 117 job titles in NOC 31301
  • ambulatory care nurse
  • bedside nurse
  • birthing room nurse
  • burn patient care nurse
  • burn victim care nurse
  • cardiac surgery nurse
  • cardiology nurse
  • cardiology nurse technician
  • casual duty nurse
  • circulating nurse
  • clinic nurse
  • clinical nurse
  • clinical nurse specialist
  • community health nurse
  • consultant nurse
  • contagious disease transmission prevention nurse
  • coronary intensive care nurse
  • coronary unit nurse
  • critical care nurse
  • dialysis nurse
  • doctor's office nurse
  • emergency care nurse
  • emergency nurse
  • first aid nurse
  • float nurse
  • foot care nurse
  • general duty nurse
  • general duty nurse - psychiatry
  • geriatric care nurse
  • geriatric nurse
  • gerontology nurse
  • graduate nurse
  • graduate nurse - occupational health
  • graduate nurse - physician's office
  • graduate private duty nurse
  • hemodialysis nurse
  • home care neuroscience nurse
  • home care nurse
  • hospital hygiene nurse
  • hospital hygienist - nursing
  • hospital nurse
  • industrial nurse
  • infection control coordinator - hospital
  • infection control nurse
  • infection control officer
  • intensive care nurse
  • intensive care unit (ICU) nurse
  • liaison nurse
  • medical intensive care nurse
  • mental health nurse
  • nephrology and kidney transplantation nurse
  • nephrology and renal transplantation nurse
  • nephrology nurse
  • neuroscience nurse
  • nurse
  • nurse consultant
  • nurse counsellor
  • nurse researcher
  • nurse technician
  • nursing adviser
  • nursing consultant
  • nursing counsellor
  • nursing evaluator
  • nursing researcher
  • nursing technician
  • obstetrics nurse
  • occupational health nurse
  • occupational health nurse consultant
  • occupational medicine nurse
  • office nurse
  • on-call nurse
  • oncology nurse
  • operating room (OR) nurse
  • out-patient clinic nurse
  • outpost nurse
  • outreach nurse
  • palliative care nurse
  • pediatric intensive care nurse
  • pediatric nurse
  • perinatal care nurse
  • physician's office nurse
  • primary care nurse
  • primary nurse
  • private care nurse
  • private duty nurse
  • psychiatric and mental health nurse
  • psychiatric nurse
  • public and community health nurse
  • public health nurse
  • public health nurse consultant
  • recovery room nurse
  • Red Cross nurse
  • registered community health nurse
  • registered industrial nurse
  • registered nurse - call centre
  • registered nurse - contact centre
  • registered nurse - independent practice
  • registered nurse - public and community health
  • registered nurse - telehealth
  • registered nurse (R.N.)
  • registered psychiatric nurse (R.P.N.)
  • registered public health nurse
  • respiratory care nurse
  • respiratory nurse specialist
  • school health nurse
  • school nurse
  • scrub nurse
  • staff nurse
  • surgical intensive care nurse
  • telehealth registered nurse
  • tele-nurse
  • triage nurse
  • Victoria Order nurse
  • Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) nurse
  • visiting nurse
  • ward nurse
  • youth centre nurse

Also includes: infection control officer.

Requirements

Employment requirements

  • Registered nurses
  • Completion of a university, college or other approved registered nursing program is required.
  • Additional academic training or experience is required to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
  • A master's or doctoral degree in nursing is usually required for clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurses, nursing consultants and nursing researchers.
  • Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
  • Registered psychiatric nurses
  • Completion of a university or college registered psychiatric nursing program is required.
  • Registration with a regulatory body is required in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.

Additional information

  • Nurses trained exclusively as registered psychiatric nurses (RPN) are regulated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. In all other provinces and territories, registered nurses (RN) may work as psychiatric nurses without separate registration.
  • Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses may progress to supervisory and managerial positions with experience.

Wages

Wages for NOC 31301 in Canada

Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.

RegionLowMedianHighSource
Canada$30.00$43.27$54.37Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Newfoundland and Labrador$33.65$44.00$52.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Prince Edward Island$31.50$42.00$49.98Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Nova Scotia$30.20$41.50$50.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
New Brunswick$31.00$44.77$49.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Quebec$27.00$40.00$50.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Ontario$29.00$42.00$55.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Manitoba$34.00$45.00$52.40Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Saskatchewan$38.00$47.13$52.20Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Alberta$30.00$47.50$54.49Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
British Columbia$35.00$47.58$57.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Nunavut$45.00$57.99$71.57Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024

Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.

Job outlook

Job outlook by province, 2025–2027

Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia.

Very goodNewfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Very good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

As the demand for healthcare increases due to the aging of the population, staffing shortages and forced overtime have become more common. A considerable number of vacancies exist for this occupation throughout the province. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, including the hiring of nurses from other countries and a variety of incentives such as cash bonuses.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Approximately 6,300 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 88%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 5%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 87% compared to 83% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations

74% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 26% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 8% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 92% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 30% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 60% compared to 14% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 7% for all occupations

Very goodPrince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Very good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses continue to face very good employment prospects in P.E.I., with shortages and high vacancy rates across hospitals, long-term care, and community health settings. The province has introduced financial incentives and recruitment programs, including the Transition to Registered Nursing in Canada (TRNC) program, which has already graduated internationally educated nurses to help fill gaps. However, recent media reports show that many new nurses are leaving the system due to workplace pressures, burnout, and heavy overtime, highlighting retention as a challenge. At the same time, the province reports gains in recruitment and continues to build collaborative care teams that expand the roles of nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses to reduce strain on workers in this occupation. For new graduates and those seeking opportunities, this means strong job security and multiple entry points, especially in rural and community care, though adaptability and resilience are increasingly important as the system evolves to meet the needs of an aging and growing population.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Prince Edward Island:

Approximately 1,950 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 84%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 78% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 22% compared to 16% for all occupations

75% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 7% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 93% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 31% compared to 25% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 57% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 8% for all occupations

Very goodNova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Very good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Recent graduates from fields of study related to this occupation have found it easy to find work.

Increasing health needs of an aging population favour employment prospects for registered nurses. The work environment for nursing services is changing somewhat as home-care services continue to grow and the province moves toward a collaborative care model (where various health practitioners work together). This is one of the largest occupation groups in the province, so there is a steady, high-volume of postings. Job opportunities also exist in hospitals and long-term care facilities. New entrants to nursing shouldn't have too much trouble finding work.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Nova Scotia:

Approximately 12,500 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 79%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 10%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 82% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 18% compared to 18% for all occupations

72% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 8% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 92% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 30% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 57% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 10% for all occupations

Very goodNew Brunswick

The employment outlook will be Very good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Increased demand for health care services associated with an ageing and growing population is expected to be among the primary drivers of employment growth in this occupation.

Significant nursing shortages have been an ongoing issue throughout the province, meaning that new graduates should have little trouble finding employment. However, opportunities may be more abundant in rural areas, particularly in francophone regions of the province.

Being fluent in both official languages could increase one’s chances of finding employment in certain areas.

Hospitals often recruit directly from universities.

Registration with the Nurses Association of New Brunswick is required.

A criminal record check and proof of Canadian Nurse Protective Society (CNPS) insurance are necessary.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in New Brunswick:

Approximately 7,450 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 75%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 12%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 80% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 20% compared to 16% for all occupations

77% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 23% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 6% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 94% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 30% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 30% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 61% compared to 16% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Very goodOntario

The employment outlook will be Very good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

The majority are employed in hospitals

Nursing and residential care facilities

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

Increased need for health-related services to support the growing and aging population in Ontario

Greater demand on the health care system because of the backlog of medical procedures and patient care needs

Major investments in health care facilities

Initiatives to improve home and community-based patient care services

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

Registered nurses are regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)

The CNO does not regulate or recognize psychiatric nurses as a distinct profession

Psychiatric nurses seeking registration in Ontario are required to first complete programs as a registered nurse (RN) or registered practical nurse (RPN)

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

Generally, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Ontario:

Approximately 134,400 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 71%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 12%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 11%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 81% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 19% compared to 19% for all occupations

73% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 27% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 9% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 91% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 38% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 50% compared to 24% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 9% compared to 13% for all occupations

Very goodNorthwest Territories

The employment outlook will be Very good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Northwest Territories for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Ongoing staffing shortages in health care and an ageing population will keep demand high for health professionals over the forecast period.

Staffing shortages continue to lead to periodic disruptions in health care services throughout the Northwest Territories, especially in rural areas. The Government of Northwest Territories filled 340.3 of 360 full-time equivalent vacancies in 2024-2025 (

NNSL, May 13, 2025

).

Local training is available for this occupation. Aurora College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and a Licensed Practical Nurse program.

A new professional organization for Northwest Territories and Nunavut nurses will be created in 2026: the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Nurses.

The College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut updated its nursing practice hour requirements in 2025. To be licensed, nurses must now have 1,125 practice hours within the past five years or 450 practice hours within the past two years.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Northwest Territories:

Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 81%

Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 19%

78% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 22% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 11% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 89% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 26% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 23% compared to 18% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 67% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 9% for all occupations

Very goodNunavut

The employment outlook will be Very good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Nunavut for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Ongoing staffing shortages in health care and an ageing population will keep demand high for health professionals over the forecast period.

Staffing shortages created periodic disruptions in health care services throughout Nunavut in 2025.

Housing shortages and high travel costs make the recruitment and retention of nurses in Nunavut challenging.

The Government of Nunavut aims to increase the number of Inuit nursing graduates over the forecast period, as outlined in the Roadmap to Strengthen the Nunavut Nursing Workforce (2021-2026).

Permanent and locum nursing positions were available throughout 2025 at the hospital and clinic in Iqaluit, the regional health centres in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, as well as at community health centres.

Workers in this occupation may be eligible for recruitment bonuses and retention and other allowances in addition to their regular pay.

A new professional organization for Northwest Territories' and Nunavut's nurses will be created in 2026: the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Nurses.

The College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut updated its nursing practice hour requirements in 2025. To be licensed, nurses must now have 1,125 practice hours within the past five years or 450 practice hours within the past two years.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Nunavut:

Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 81%

Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 19%

82% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 16% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 84% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 15% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 59% compared to 10% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 16% compared to 6% for all occupations

GoodManitoba

The employment outlook will be Good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for this occupation is driven by the province's growing and aging population and provincial government spending on healthcare. There is considerable demand in mental health and community care.

The province is actively recruiting offering relocation and retention incentives as well as simplifying licensing and immigration pathways. Shortages are most acute in rural and remote locations.

This occupation faces the challenges of managing heavy workloads and high stress.

Key trends include telehealth and virtual care for rural or underserved areas, artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze patient data, wearable devises, and smart room technology for continuous patient monitoring.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Manitoba:

Approximately 15,150 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 77%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 11%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 69% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 31% compared to 19% for all occupations

71% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 12% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 88% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 31% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 32% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 56% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 8% for all occupations

GoodSaskatchewan

The employment outlook will be Good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

An aging and growing population is creating greater demand on the health care system.

The provincial government has a Health Human Resources (HHR) Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care providers.

There is high demand for this occupation as the provincial government ramps up initiatives to address persisting labour shortages across the health care sector.

New nurse practitioner clinics will enhance job opportunities and expand job functions of registered nurses with advanced training.

Investments in new hospitals and health centers.

Increasing investments in mental health services.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Saskatchewan:

Approximately 13,250 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 79%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 8%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 79% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 21% compared to 19% for all occupations

72% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 8% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 92% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 33% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 15% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 30% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 60% compared to 18% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 7% for all occupations

GoodAlberta

The employment outlook will be Good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Alberta’s growing population and a national shortage are contributing to demand for this occupation.

In 2025, Alberta increased total health spending to $28 billion, marking a 5.4% rise from the previous year.

Ongoing healthcare needs and retirements continue to support steady demand across the sector.

However, growth in new positions is expected to be scaled back, as budget constraints and staffing pressures affect hiring capacity.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Alberta:

Approximately 45,000 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 75%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 12%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 69% compared to 80% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 31% compared to 20% for all occupations

70% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 30% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 8% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 92% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 19% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 61% compared to 21% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 9% for all occupations

GoodBritish Columbia

The employment outlook will be Good for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

Labour shortages continue to affect the delivery of health care services in various parts of the province, especially in northern and rural areas.

In early 2025, Northern Health reported a 42 per cent nursing vacancy rate in northern British Columbia emergency rooms and a 27 per cent overall nursing vacancy rate.

Demand for this occupation is expected to increase, as the provincial population continues to age.

Compared to 2020, there were 18.8% more people aged 65+ in the province in 2025.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in British Columbia:

Approximately 51,900 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 82%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 10%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 5%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 76% compared to 78% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 24% compared to 22% for all occupations

70% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 30% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 10% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 90% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 27% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 59% compared to 22% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 10% compared to 12% for all occupations

ModerateQuebec

The employment outlook will be Moderate for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

The demand for this occupation is mainly due to population growth and aging, as well as government health priorities.

Every year, the government puts targeted measures in place to improve health care services and make them more accessible to the public. The introduction of new services in existing facilities and improved homecare services are stimulating hiring in this occupational group.

In addition, health care facilities must gradually reduce the use of employees from private employment agencies, which could create other employment opportunities for members of this occupation.

As health network managers prefer to recruit more versatile staff, university graduates are in demand, and their proportion has increased within the workforce.

Here are some key facts about registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Quebec:

Approximately 78,350 people work in this occupation.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 78%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 9%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 80% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 20% compared to 18% for all occupations

72% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 12% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 88% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 42% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 45% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 8% compared to 11% for all occupations

Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).

Provinces

Provincial Nominee Programs

A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.

Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 31301 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.

Similar occupations

Related NOC codes

Questions

NOC 31301: common questions

What is the NOC code for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses?
The NOC 2021 code is 31301 (Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses). Job titles in this group include clinical nurse, community health nurse, critical care nurse, emergency care nurse, intensive care nurse. Your NOC is set by your actual duties, not your job title.
What TEER category is NOC 31301?
NOC 31301 is TEER 1. Usually needs a university degree.
Is NOC 31301 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 1 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. You still need to meet each program's other requirements.
Is NOC 31301 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Yes, it is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list from 3 November 2026. 12 months of Canadian work in it can add 40 CRS points, or a qualifying job offer can earn 70 points. You get whichever is higher, not both.
Is NOC 31301 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
Yes: Healthcare and social services. You need at least 12 months of full-time work in a listed occupation in the past 3 years, as well as Express Entry eligibility.
What is the median wage for NOC 31301 in Canada?
The national median wage is $43.27 per hour, according to Job Bank (Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024). It ranges from $30.00 to $54.37.

Classification

Where it sits in NOC 2021

  1. 3Health occupationsBroad Category
  2. 31Professional occupations in healthMajor Group
  3. 313Nursing and allied health professionalsSub-major Group
  4. 3130Nursing and allied health professionalsMinor Group
  5. 31301Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

Enquiry

Is NOC 31301 your occupation? Ask us about your options.

Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.

The more context you give, the more useful the first conversation will be.

Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.

NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.

This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.

Plan your move to Canada

A first consultation covers eligibility, realistic timelines, total cost and the tax consequences of the move. You leave with a written plan, not a brochure.