Working as a nurse in a First Nations community
Find information on different aspects of working in First Nations communities.
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Communities we serve
Indigenous Services Canada nurses deliver primary health care services to First Nations communities in which it operates. All are shaped by sparse populations, geographic isolation and extreme climate conditions.
ISC employs nurses across a variety of First Nations communities located in 5 regions:
Alberta region
First Nations communities in Alberta that we serve:
- Dene Tha'
- Chateh Nursing Station
- Little Red River Cree Nation
- Fox Lake Nursing Station
- Garden River Nursing Station
- Jean d'Or Prairie Health Centre
Find a map of First Nations communities in the region.
Manitoba region
First Nations communities in Manitoba that we serve:
- Barren Lands
- Bloodvein
- Bunibonibee Cree Nation
- Cross Lake Band of Indians
- Garden Hill First Nations
- God's Lake First Nations
- Little Grand Rapids
- Manto Sipi Cree Nation
- Mathias Colomb
- Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
- Northlands Denesuline First Nation
- O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation
- Pauingassi First Nation
- Poplar River First Nation
- Red Sucker Lake
- Sayisi Dene First Nation
- Shamattawa First Nation
- St. Theresa Point
- Tataskweyak Cree Nation
- Wasagamack First Nation
- York Factory First Nation
Find a map of First Nations communities in the region.
Ontario region
First Nations communities in Ontario that we serve:
- Attawapiskat
- Bearskin Lake
- Cat Lake
- Eabametoong First Nation
- Fort Albany
- Fort Severn
- Grassy Narrows First Nation
- Gull Bay
- Kasabonika Lake
- Kashechewan
- Kee-Way-Win
- Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
- Marten Falls
- Mishgeegogamang
- Munsee-Deleware Nation
- Muskrat Dam Lake
- Neskantaga First nation
- Nibinamik First Nation
- North Caribou Lake
- North Spirit Lake
- Pikangikum
- Poplar Hill
- Sachigo Lake
- Sandy Lake
- Six Nations of the Grand River
- Wabaseemoong Independent Nations
- Wasauksing First Nation
- Webequie
Find a map of First Nations communities in the region.
Saskatchewan region
First Nations communities in Saskatchewan that we serve:
- Big Island Lake Cree Nation
- Big River
- Cote First Nation 366
- Cowessess
- Day Star
- Fishing Lake First Nation
- George Gordon First Nation
- Kahkewistahaw
- Keeseekoose
- The Key First Nation
- Muskowekwan
- Ocean Man
- Ochapowace
- Peepeekisis Cree Nation No.81
- Pelican Lake
- Pheasant Rump Nakota
- Witchekan Lake
- White Bear
- Zagime Anishinabek
Find a map of First Nations communities in the region.
Quebec region
First Nations communities in Quebec that we serve:
- Algonquins of Barriere Lake
Find a map of First Nations communities in the region.
Career development
At Indigenous Services Canada, we strive to support our nurses in their career development. As an ISC nurse, you will have the opportunity to:
- advance your career
- carry out a full scope of practice
- deliver quality care to clients of all ages
- enhance your nursing knowledge and skills
- expand your cultural awareness
- invest in personal and professional development
- progress professionally based on merit rather than seniority
Onboarding process
Once an application is submitted, eligible candidates will be contacted for a live or pre-recorded interview. After the interview is complete, qualified candidates will be placed in a pool. Regional hiring managers will have right-fit conversations with candidates, after which a letter of offer will be sent.
Candidates must ensure that all conditions of employment are met before their start date. This includes obtaining a security clearance, medical evaluation and completing several mandatory training courses. Some regions offer mandatory training as a part of orientation. Once orientation is complete, nurses will be deployed to the community where they have been assigned.
Orientation
At Indigenous Services Canada, we provide our nurses with regionally-led orientation sessions before entering into a First Nations Community. Orientation differs depending on location and is specific to the First Nations Community where you will be working. Orientation can be both in-person or through online modules and ranges from 3 to 6 weeks depending on location and nurses' preparedness.
Our orientation programs are designed to equip our nurses to deliver high-quality healthcare. We ensure nurses feel confident about entering into their new nursing roles and are familiar with the operations within community health care facilities.
Throughout the process, support is given to nurses through active leadership and guidance. Our management teams deliver a valuable source of knowledge and provide assistance when extra clinical support is needed. ISC Nursing values a productive and healthy work environment in order to foster success.
Work environment
Indigenous Services Canada Nursing strives to promote a culturally safe and collaborative working environment. Nursing stations and health care centres differ depending on the community you are assigned to work in.
Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario regions
The nursing stations and health centres where ISC nurses deliver primary health care services are located primarily in remote or isolated First Nations communities. Community sizes may range from a few hundred residents up to a few thousand. Each nursing station and health centre is unique to the community it serves.
Quebec region
The nursing facility in Barriere Lake (Rapid Lake) serves a largely English speaking population, however, fluent bilingualism is required to work with provincial healthcare providers and referring centres. The facility where nurses work in Quebec region has an exam room, a trauma room, a pediatric exam room, a pharmacy and a laboratory.
Saskatchewan region
The health facilities where ISC nurses deliver health care services are located in First Nations communities in central and south Saskatchewan. Community sizes may range from a few hundred residents up to a few thousand. Each health facility is unique to the community it serves.
ISC provides nursing services intended to enhance the health of First Nations peoples in Saskatchewan. Health care programs are designed in partnership with community members and leaders to promote environments that support good health.
Nursing teams
As an Indigenous Services Canada nurse, you will not be working alone. ISC nurses work in nursing stations as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes:
- health professionals such as dentists, hygienists and therapists
- community health workers in areas such as home care, addictions and diabetes
- paramedics
- doctors and specialists, when required
When a doctor or nurse practitioner is not available on site, nurses can consult them by telephone.
Nursing support
Indigenous Services Canada provides nurses with a range of integrated, dedicated services and resources including the Nursing Service Response Centre (NSRC). NSRC's VIP services deliver top-tier support tailored to the needs of front-line nurses and the ISC nursing workforce, covering IT, compensation, Occupational Health and Safety, and security concerns. Our virtual team of subject matter experts operates through our centralized "HUB" and "Triage Team" of Case Managers, ensuring timely and effective responses to nurse's needs while facilitating escalations where bottlenecks occur, providing vital support when required.