Apply for nursing jobs in First Nations communities
Be part of a collaborative team of Indigenous Services Canada health care professionals. Deliver care to clients of all ages in First Nations communities.
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RN - Primary Care (Community Health Nurse) (NOW CLOSED)
Watch for the new application process to go live on GC Jobs!
As of October 1, 2024: A pensionable annual base salary of $94,016 to $106,864 for fulltime positions (plus applicable allowances)
October 1, 2025: A pensionable annual base salary of $95,896 to $109,001 for fulltime positions (plus applicable allowances)
Applicable allowances
Nurses may be eligible for the following allowances. Maximum amounts are based on full-time positions, all amounts are pro-rated for part-time positions.
Education
- $3,300 annual for bachelor's degree, paid bi-weekly
- $3,850 annual for master's degree, paid bi-weekly
- Allowances for other levels of education are detailed in the collective agreement
- Pensionable and paid on overtime hours
Recruitment
(Primary care nurses are eligible for this allowance as new employees of the federal public service working in remote and isolated communities)
- $6,750 lump sum paid within first 2 to 3 pay periods
- $9,750 lump sum paid after 12 months of work
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Retention
(Primary care nurses are eligible for this allowance after 12 months of service in remote and isolated communities)
- $16,500 annual after 12 months of service, paid bi-weekly
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Expanded professional role
(Primary care nurses are eligible for this allowance dependent on experience, role and location)
- $6,000 annual, paid bi-weekly
- Pensionable, but not paid on overtime
Isolated post
(Primary care nurses are eligible for this allowance while working in remote and isolated communities)
- Up to $25,958 annual (dependent upon the classification of the isolated post), paid bi-weekly
- Classification levels are subject to change (annual rates are updated every August 1st)
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
RN - Public Health (Community Health Nurse)
As of October 1, 2024: A pensionable annual base salary of $94,016 to $106,864 for fulltime positions (plus applicable allowances)
October 1, 2025: A pensionable annual base salary of $95,896 to $109,001 for fulltime positions (plus applicable allowances)
Applicable allowances
Nurses may be eligible for the following allowances. Maximum amounts are based on full-time positions, all amounts are pro-rated for part-time positions.
Education
(Public health nurses are eligible for this allowance based on their education)
- $3,300 annual for bachelor's degree, paid bi-weekly
- $3,850 annual for master's degree, paid bi-weekly
- Allowances for other levels of education are detailed in the collective agreement
- Pensionable and paid on overtime hours
Recruitment
(Public health nurses are eligible for this allowance as new employees of the federal public service working in remote and isolated communities)
- $6,750 lump sum paid within first 2 to 3 pay periods
- $9,750 lump sum paid after 12 months of work
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Retention
(Public health nurses are eligible for this allowance after 12 months of service in remote and isolated communities)
- $16,500 annual after 12 months of service, paid bi-weekly
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Isolated post
(Public health nurses are eligible for this allowance while working in remote and isolated communities)
- Up to $25,958 annual (dependent upon the classification of the isolated post), paid bi-weekly
- Classification levels are subject to change (annual rates are updated every August 1st)
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
NP - Nurse Practitioner (Nurse Practitioner) (NOW CLOSED)
Watch for the new application process to go live on GC Jobs!
As of October 1, 2024: A pensionable annual base salary of $117,800 to $133,863 (plus applicable allowances)
October 1, 2025: A pensionable annual base salary of $120,156 to $136,540 (plus applicable allowances)
Applicable allowances
Nurses may be eligible for the following allowances. Maximum amounts are based on full-time positions, all amounts are pro-rated for part-time positions.
Education
(Nurse practitioners are eligible for this allowance based on their education)
- $3,300 annual for bachelor's degree, paid bi-weekly
- $3,850 annual for master's degree, paid bi-weekly
- Allowances for other levels of education are detailed in the collective agreement
- Pensionable and paid on overtime hours
Recruitment
(Nurse practitioners are eligible for this allowance as new employees of the federal public service working in remote and isolated communities)
- $6,750 lump sum paid within first 2 to 3 pay periods
- $9,750 lump sum paid after 12 months of work
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Retention
(Nurse practitioners are eligible for this allowance after 12 months of service in remote and isolated communities)
- $16,500 annual after 12 months of service, paid bi-weekly
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Isolated post
(Nurse practitioners are eligible for this allowance while working in remote and isolated communities)
- Up to $25,958 annual (dependent upon the classification of the isolated post), paid bi-weekly
- Classification levels are subject to change (annual rates are updated every August 1st)
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
LPN/RPN - Licensed Practical Nurse/Registered Practical Nurse
LPN/RPN - Hourly rates of pay (in dollars) $37.64 to $40.92 (plus applicable allowances)
Applicable allowances
Nurses may be eligible for the following allowances. Maximum amounts are based on full-time positions, all amounts are pro-rated for part-time positions.
Recruitment
(LPN/RPNs are eligible for this allowance as new employees of the federal public service working in remote and isolated communities)
- $2,150 lump sum paid within first 2 to 3 pay periods
- $3,150 lump sum paid after 12 months of work
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Retention
(LPN/RPNs are eligible for this allowance after 12 months of service in remote and isolated communities)
- $5,300 annual after 12 months of service, paid bi-weekly
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Isolated post
(LPN/RPNs are eligible for this allowance while working in remote and isolated communities)
- Up to $25,958 annual (dependent upon the classification of the isolated post), paid bi-weekly
- Classification levels are subject to change (annual rates are updated every August 1st)
- Not pensionable and not paid on overtime
Application requirements
Indigenous Services Canada is a department of the federal government. As such, you are required to meet the following employment requirements:
Citizenship/permanent residency
People residing in Canada, permanent residents of Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad may apply. Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Occupational certification
Candidates must be either a Registered Nurse or eligible to be a Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse or a Nurse Practitioner. They must be licensed by the time of appointment within the province in which the position is located. Specific areas of experience can be found on the apply link for each position.
Benefits
Indigenous Services Canada provides nurses with a range of benefits and resources.
Flexible schedule
Indigenous Services Canada Nursing allows you the opportunity to have a flexible schedule, and a balance between work and life. Relocation is not required to work as a nurse in a First Nations community.
Travel and outpost nursing rotations may vary and will include a combination of days, evenings, nights and weekends. Generally, nurses work on a rotational schedule allowing them to maintain their interests in the area where they reside.
Common rotations in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario may include:
- 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off
- 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off
- 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off
Rotations in Quebec are 16 days on, 12 days off.
Common rotations in Saskatchewan include Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm (no evenings, nights or weekends).
Travel and accommodations
Indigenous Services Canada Nursing employs nurses across a variety of First Nations communities located in 5 regions; Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec.
Travel costs will be paid for by Indigenous Services Canada for nurses traveling to remote and isolated communities. Typically, nurses fly in and out of these communities based on agreed upon schedules and rotations.
Accommodations for Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario region will be provided by Indigenous Services Canada. Nurses reside in furnished accommodations while working in community. Accommodations may be within or close to the facility where nurses work. Accommodations are often shared with other nurses in the community.
Saskatchewan region does not provide accommodations. Nurses generally live close to the communities where they work.
Additional supports and benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee entitlements
- Group medical, disability, and dental insurance
- Leave benefits
- Occupational Critical Incident Stress Management
- Paid licenses
- Pension plan
- Student loan forgiveness
Cultural learning
Indigenous Services Canada nurses gain first-hand experience providing healthcare services in First Nations communities. Nurses have the opportunity to be at the forefront of driving change for a better healthcare system and the ability to make a meaningful difference in First Nations communities.
As a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada call to action #19, Indigenous Services Canada nurses will contribute to closing the gaps in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. To learn more, please visit Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (PDF).