The fact that nursing is a truly international profession is underlined by the fact that more than 120 countries — Canada prominent among them — are represented on the International Council of Nurses.
The organization, founded in 1899, works to ensure that people worldwide have access to quality nursing care. Over the years, Canadian nurses have helped to advance global health by taking on challenging assignments in diverse areas of practice in many of these countries.
Today, if you are a Canadian nursing professional interested in working abroad, you can be assured that your skills are very much in demand. While CNA is not involved directly in finding paid or volunteer placements overseas, we are happy to provide the relevant links in this section.
Non-governmental organizations
There are several Canadian non-governmental organizations that recruit nurses to work in developing countries. This list contains organizations you may apply to for consideration as a cooperant. You may wish to contact the organizations that offer work in the fields and regions that interest you. Please note this is not an exhaustive list of available international nursing organizations or positions.
For information on nursing in a specific country, including requirements for registration, you should contact the relevant nursing regulatory body of the region directly.
See our international work section for more information.
Opportunities abroad with non-governmental organizations
Africa Inland Mission
Website: ca.aimint.org
Types of professionals required
Volunteer positions only: Nurse educators, medical/surgical nurses, clinical nurse specialists/nurse practitioners, community health nurses, pediatric nurses, midwives, and other health personnel; health programs are integrated with other ministries that have a focus on discipleship, reaching the unreached and developing church leadership.
Length of service
Short term: 6 months to 1 year Long term: 1 year plus
Additional comments
Voluntary: Volunteers are expected to fundraise for orientation, travel costs, living allowance, medical insurance, etc. In addition to professional qualifications and experience, a strong Protestant Christian commitment is essential as well as a willingness to work in teams under the direction of local medical staff. Some additional training may be required. Locations throughout Africa.
Anglican Church of Canada
Website: www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces
Types of professionals required
Various disciplines including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, etc.
Length of service
1-2 years; there is some flexibility, but no short-term (2-3 wks) placements are available.
Voluntary/salaried
Volunteers are expected to fundraise, although orientation and re-entry programming is provided.
Additional comments
Volunteer is supported by a local Canadian Anglican parish. Volunteers are expected to assist with fundraising for travel costs, living allowance & medical insurance. Professional services are offered by volunteers in partnership with the indigenous church. Opportunities exist in several parts of the developing world.
Global Affairs Canada
Website: www.international.gc.ca/global-affairs-affaires-mondiales/corporate-ministere/contact-contactez/jobs-emplois.aspx?lang=eng
Types of professionals required
Global Affairs Canada hires a limited number of cooperants and advisers with professional and technical skills in various sectors.
Length of service
Varies
Voluntary/salaried
Salaried
Additional comments
Must be Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. Minimum 3 years of professional experience in the sector concerned.
Canadian Red Cross Society
Website: www.redcross.ca/about-us/join-our-team/international-operations
Types of professionals required
Core program requires specialists in community-based health, including nurses, public health managers and health promoters. In areas of conflict there are needs for health professionals with clinical skills including surgeons, anesthetists, lab technologists, medical administrators, nurses, midwives and prosthetists.
Length of service
6 -12 months
Voluntary/salaried
Salaried
Additional comments
Missions to Africa, South America, Asia, Middle East and Europe. Red Cross training required. Must be available to work on short notice. Contact your local Red Cross office for information.
Crossroads International
Website: cintl.org/
Types of professionals required
General or professional skills or student
Length of service
Average length of 4 months
Voluntary/salaried
Volunteers are expected to fundraise, although some assistance for travel and living expenses is provided.
Additional comments
Must commit volunteer time for community education. Must fundraise for expenses.
Please check the phone book for your regional office. If contacting the national office, be sure to leave your address. For more information, send a self-addressed, stamped stamped envelope.
YIP — International Health Youth Internship Program
Website: www.csih.org
Types of professionals required
Internships available to unemployed or under-employed health professionals aged 19-30 for internships in health promotion, public health and information technology capacity-building.
Length of service
6-9 month internships
Centre canadien d'études et de coopération internationale (CECI)
Website: www.ceci.ca
Types of professionals required
Frequently: Community health doctors, nurses, nutritionists.
Infrequently: health services administrators, among others
Length of service
2 years
Voluntary/salaried
Mostly volunteers, but living and travel expenses covered.
Additional comments
Africa (mainly francophone countries), South America and Central America, Haiti and Asia. Volunteers must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.
CAUSE Canada
(Christian Assistance for Underdeveloped Societies Everywhere)
P.O. Box 8100
Canmore, AB T1W 2T8
Tel.: 403-678-3332
Fax: 403-678-8869
E-mail: info@cause.ca
Website: www.cause.ca
Types of professionals required
Doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychological counselors and psychologists
Length of service
Minimum 6 months to 1 year
Voluntary/salaried
Both. Most volunteers are expected to cover costs of transportation and food.
Additional comments
Cause Canada is a Christian-motivated international relief and development organization specializing in primary health care, potable water and sanitation, reforestation, micro-enterprises and gender-specific development initiatives. Fluency in French or Spanish is highly recommended.
Hope International Development Agency
Website: www.hope-international.com/
Types of professionals required
Doctors, nurses, administrators, medical technicians, engineers, water technicians, agricultural and horticultural specialists
Length of service
Several weeks to 2 years
Voluntary/salaried
Voluntary. Some assistance for travel and living may be provided
Additional comments
Countries: South East Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central America
SIM Canada
Website: www.sim.ca
Types of professionals required
Doctors, nurses, midwives, dieticians, hospital administrators, dentists, medical technologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, community health care workers
Length of service
3 months to career service
Voluntary/salaried
Volunteers must self-finance (solicit individual or private sponsorship).
Additional comments
Countries: Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa, South Asia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. An international interdenominational evangelical mission organization. Volunteers are required to meet the qualifications of the mission.
Emmanuel International Mission
Website: eim-us.org/
Types of professionals required
Nurses, nutritionists
Length of service
Minimum 1 year + 3 months cross-cultural training
Voluntary/salaried
Support raising required
Additional comments
An interdenominational evangelical relief, rehabilitation, leadership training and community development organization. Countries: Brazil, Haiti, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Sudan, Philippines. Seeking mature, ministering Christians committed to EI’s cross-cultural doctrinal statement and mandate.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Website: elcic.ca/
Types of professionals required
Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators
Length of service
6 months to 2 years. Some long-term postings are available.
Voluntary/salaried
Volunteer. Support groups raise funds for travel and accommodations. Some salaried positions are available.
Additional comments
Participants are expected to be active in the church life of the hosting country.
Evangelical Medical Aid Society (EMAS)
Website: emascanada.org/
Types of professionals required
All medical professionals (registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants)
Length of service
Generally, 2 weeks
Additional comments
EMAS is a Christian, interdenominational charitable non-governmental organization.
VSO Canada (Voluntary Services Overseas)
Website: www.vsointernational.org/
Types of professionals required
Midwives, nurses, psychiatric nurses, registered nurses for those with mental handicaps, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, doctors, dentists, nutritionists, health educators
Length of service
Most placements are for 2 years. Some shorter-term placements are available where there is a particularly high need.
Voluntary/salaried
Modest living allowance, travel, accommodation, medical insurance, training, grants.
Additional comments
VSO aims to support disadvantaged people in fulfilling their rights to physical, mental and social health, and improving their access to health services. Working at the community level, volunteers concentrate on the promotion of health and rehabilitation through basic education and preventative work. VSO meets requests for a range of skill areas, including assessment, prevention, education, outreach and primary and secondary care. VSO receives a growing number of requests for health workers with experience in HIV/AIDS prevention and care. 35 countries in Asia and Africa.
Médecins sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders
Website: www.msf.ca
Types of professionals required
MSF is looking for nurses, physicians, midwives and occasionally nutritionists and epidemiologists.
Length of service
2 years
Voluntary/salaried
Contact MSF directly. All expenses are paid and field workers are provided with a living allowance and small salary.
Additional comments
Nurses work in a variety of contexts, and the work is often more organizational and managerial than clinical.
BScN or RN diploma and 2 years’ practical nursing experience. Travel or work experience in a developing country or remote northern Canada is required.
Volunteer International Christian Service (VICS)
Website: www.volunteerinternational.ca
Types of professionals required
Public health nurses, doctors, dentists and physiotherapists
Length of service
2 years
Voluntary/salaried
Strictly voluntary with travel expenses and a living allowance provided.
Additional comments
Nepal and countries in Africa, Central and South Pacific, and Central and South America. Over 21 years of age. Public health background. 18 months’ work experience since graduation an asset.
World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
Website: www.wusc.ca
Types of professionals required
Doctors, nurses, nurse trainers
Length of service
2 years
Voluntary/salaried
Both voluntary and salaried positions are available. Salary depends on program.
Additional comments
Public health background and work experience an asset.