Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Very good for nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102) 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Prince Edward Island continues to face a high demand for workers in this occupation, driven by an aging population, growth in nursing and residential care facilities, and the need for 24-hour patient care. The Resident Care Worker Support Program remains active and has expanded, offering free tuition and financial assistance to candidates who commit to working in the province after graduation. In late 2025, the federal government also introduced a five-year tax credit for personal support workers, further improving the attractiveness of this career. Most workers are employed in nursing homes, hospitals, and community health centres, and flexible candidates willing to work long shifts are especially valued. For new graduates or career changers, this occupation offers stable employment, strong provincial and federal support, and clear pathways through immigration streams and training programs.  Here are some key facts about nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 1,900 people work in this occupation. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates mainly work in the following sectors: Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 51%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 36%Social assistance (NAICS 624): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 78% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 22% compared to 16% for all occupations67% of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates work all year, while 33% 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 43 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 13% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 88% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 6% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 27% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 28% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Very good for nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102) 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.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.Recent graduates from fields of study related to this occupation have found it easy to find work.The aging population has resulted a major shortage of workers in this occupation. Increasing wages and tuition relief for training programs may serve to entice new entrants into the Continuing Care Assistant role. Further, some employers are offering incentives such as signing bonuses and in-house training paths to CCA certification. Jobseekers in this occupation should have little difficulty finding work regardless of which region of the province they live in, though owning a vehicle is a common requirement that may be a barrier to some applicants. The physically challenging nature of this job, which often involves shift work, has led to higher turnover than normal. Opportunities do occur in hospitals, but are more frequent in non-hospital settings.Here are some key facts about nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates in Nova Scotia: Approximately 11,600 people work in this occupation. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates mainly work in the following sectors: Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 56%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 15%Social assistance (NAICS 624): 12%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 11% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 74% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 26% compared to 18% for all occupations62% of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates work all year, while 38% 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 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 12% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 88% 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: 22% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 23% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 33% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Saskatchewan

The employment outlook will be Very good for nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102) in Saskatchewan 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.An aging and growing population is creating greater demand on the health care system. Investments to increase care and capacity at long-term care homes.Expansions to healthcare facilities and the construction of new hospitals in the province.Here are some key facts about nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates in Saskatchewan: Approximately 12,900 people work in this occupation. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates mainly work in the following sectors: Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 52%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 25%Social assistance (NAICS 624): 14%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 71% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 28% compared to 19% for all occupations65% of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates work all year, while 35% 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 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates are self-employed compared to an average of 16% 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 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 24% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 23% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 16% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations