Canada’s nursing crisis deepens as 26,000 shortfall looms
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA — Canada faces a worsening nursing shortage, with 26,000 more registered nurses (RNs) needed to meet demand, according to the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO).
Canada’s aging nursing workforce fuels staffing crisis
As nearly 26% of nurses near retirement, the country is turning to overseas recruitment, particularly from India; however, hurdles such as credential recognition, housing shortages, and cultural adaptation threaten to slow progress.
Unless drastic measures are taken, hospitals can expect issues with wait times, low morale, and even subpar patient outcomes.
Canada has established occupation-specific Express Entry draws to solve the crisis, having welcomed 500 nurses and social workers to apply for permanent residency. However, there is a lack of affordable housing in large cities such as Toronto and Vancouver that needs to be addressed to prevent driving away foreign nurses.
India’s nursing talent offers hope, but barriers remain
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BorderPlus, Mayank Kumar noted, “The rising demand for nurses in countries like Canada presents a strong opportunity for India’s large pool of qualified professionals.”
The clinical skills of Indian nurses are of high value; however, most of them encounter language barriers, verification of credentials, and challenges to assimilation at work in a foreign country. A lack of proper onboarding can result in decreased employee retention.
A stopgap amid housing crunch
Virtual nursing and offshore staffing can be viewed as immediate solutions to address shortages, whereas policy restructuring and the expansion of healthcare facilities are considered long-term strategies.
Firms such as BorderPlus focus more on linking international nurses to Canadian employers who help them relocate and assist with credentials.
Leveraging virtual staffing or offshoring nurses can provide immediate relief by allowing remote patient monitoring and administrative support, easing the burden on both overstretched healthcare systems.
