Nurse practitioners
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with additional education, advanced knowledge and nursing experience, and a specialty of practice. They provide a range of health services to patients and deliver preventive and continuous care toward the management of patients' health. Nurse practitioners work in conjunction with physicians and collaboratively with other nursing colleagues and health-care providers, or they may work independently. Nurse practitioners may specialize in primary healthcare or acute care.
Very good
Market Demand
TEER 1
Skill Level
AB, PE, ON
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Examine patients and take their medical histories and consult with physicians and other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health
- Order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures
- Inoculate and vaccinate patients
- Advise patients and their families on health care including health promotion, disease, illness and accident prevention
- Collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary health team such as family physicians, therapists and nutritionists to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate patient care in consultation with patients and their families
- Perform a patient advocacy role
- Prescribe and administer medications
- May co-ordinate or manage primary patient care.
Qualifications
- checkNurse practitioners usually require a master's degree in nursing; or completion of a nursing program with additional advanced or extended primary health care nursing education; and several years of practice as a registered nurse.
- checkRegistration with a regulatory body is required for nurse practitioners in all provinces and territories.
Market Outlook by Province
Alberta
The employment outlook will be Very good for nurse practitioners (NOC 31302) in Alberta 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.Alberta’s population and its proportion of residents aged 65+ are predicted to increase over the next decade, contributing to demand for this occupation.As the province faces ongoing shortages of general practitioners, nurse practitioners are increasingly being integrated in an expanding role in addressing primary care gaps, especially in rural and underserved communities.Government initiatives such as the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) plan support this shift by promoting team-based care and expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners. Their ability to provide comprehensive assessments, diagnostics, and treatment makes them vital contributors to the healthcare system’s capacity.Here are some key facts about nurse practitioners in Alberta: Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Nurse practitioners mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 68%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 21%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 7% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 80% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 20% for all occupations79% of nurse practitioners work all year, while 21% 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 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.5% of nurse practitioners are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 11% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 89% compared to 47% 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: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 93% compared to 9% for all occupations
Very good
Outlook
Prince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Very good for nurse practitioners (NOC 31302) 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.Here are some key facts about nurse practitioners in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Nurse practitioners mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 55%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 45% The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: more than 95% 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: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 89% compared to 8% for all occupations
Very good
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Very good for nurse practitioners (NOC 31302) 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 health care, notably in hospitals; offices of physicians and out-patient care centres are also key employersWhat are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?Increased need for health-related services to support the growing and aging population in OntarioGreater demand on the health care system because of the backlog of medical procedures and patient care needsMajor investments in health care facilitiesWhat Skills Do I Need to Succeed?Nurse practitioners are regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario and the role is open to registered nurses (RNs) who have additional education and experienceWhat 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 nurse practitioners in Ontario: Approximately 3,750 people work in this occupation. Nurse practitioners mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 51%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 40% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 87% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 13% compared to 19% for all occupations78% of nurse practitioners work all year, while 22% 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.5% of nurse practitioners 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 52% for all occupations Women: 92% 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 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 6% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 92% compared to 13% for all occupations
Very good
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 1 occupations typically require a university degree and qualify for Express Entry. These are high-priority for STEM and healthcare category draws.
Express Entry (FSW)
Provincial Nominee Programs
Category-Based Draws
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 31302 openings right now.
Trillium Health Partners
10 active roles · Mississauga, ON · Etobicoke, ON
Nova Scotia Health
7 active roles · Middleton, NS · Digby, NS
Lifelabs
7 active roles · Thunder Bay, ON · Smiths Falls, ON
Extendicare
6 active roles · Calgary, AB · Edmonton, AB
Hamilton Health Sciences
6 active roles · Hamilton, ON
Bayshore HealthCare
5 active roles · Hamilton, ON · Victoria, BC
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Search Nurse practitionersarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving
to make informed and accurate decisions, analyze and solve complex health problems, evaluate the effectiveness of treatments and collaborate effectively with healthcare teams to ensure high-quality patient outcomes
Social Perceptiveness
to enhance patient communication, accurate diagnosis, teamwork, patient education, cultural competence and handling sensitive situations
Problem Identification and Inductive Reasoning
to tailor care, collaborate effectively and optimize patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings, including primary care and acute care specialties
Written Comprehension
to thoroughly understand medical literature, patient records and healthcare guidelines to facilitate accurate interpretation of complex information and making informed decisions
Attention to Detail
to ensure accurate assessment, precise medication administration, meticulous documentation and thorough monitoring of patient status
Knowledge in Physical Health
to understand symptoms, develop effective treatment plans, promote preventive care, monitor progress and provide comprehensive care
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