Health care experts are anticipating a gaping hole in Canada’s registered nurse labour market this year, as its aging RN workforce hits retirement age.
Deemed, the “gray tsunami,” the eldest of baby boomers born between 1946 and 1965 will turn 65 this year, which is the average age of nurse retirement in Canada.
“Canadian universities are simply not able to produce enough domestic nurses to feed the growing demand,” said Ron Burke, an educator based in Richmond. “As the need for international nurses increases so does the need to ensure they are qualified to do their new jobs safely.”
In 2005, Canada had more RNs employed in nursing between the ages of 50 and 54 than any other age group, according to Health Canada.
As baby boomers experience more age-related health issues, the strain on Canada’s health care system is also expected to increase.
The training for international nurses to become registered in Canada is intensive and can take anywhere from one to five years, according to health care experts.
Many complex assessments and tests need to be passed in order for an immigrant to be eligible to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam.
To learn more about becoming a registered nurse in BC and to find out which colleges provide training, go to the College of Registered Nurses of BC website www.crnbc.ca.