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Travel Nursing in Canada!

Where do YOU want to travel nurse?

With our 25 years of experience we offer you the incredible freedom to explore Canada. From Bella Bella in BC to Goose Bay in NL we offer the greatest number of contracts to choose from.

Why Travel Nurse

How It Works

25 years of pairing dreams and destinations!

Trust the experience that comes with time.

Apply Today. It Takes 2 Min.

Welcome to Canada's most experienced travel nursing company!

Our mission is to enhance the enjoyability and comfort of your travel, nursing contract, and Canadian adventure to the fullest extent possible.

You are regarded as a highly valued team member, and we provide insurance and liability coverage to ensure your peace of mind.

25 Years and Counting

Founded in January 1999

2,109 Nurses Placements

857,709 Hours Of Care

43 Support Staff

We're here to help you!

Travel Nursing

As a travel nurse in Canada, you can pursue your travel dreams while ensuring a stable income. These positions provide above-average wages and full coverage for travel and accommodation expenses, enabling you to freely explore and wander.

With an extensive 25-year experience under our belt, rest assured that we will be dedicated to supporting you throughout the entire duration of your contract.

Let's Get Started

How long are contracts?

Most contracts last 6-8 weeks, though some travel jobs may be longer. Many contracts are renewed if the traveler and the hospital are in agreement. Some travel nurses extend multiple times, when the job is a perfect fit!

Do you provide insurance?

Absolutely, you have comprehensive coverage throughout your contract. At Select Medical Connections, we consider you part of our team, and we treat you accordingly.

How long is the application process?

Traditionally, seasoned travel nurses start looking 6 to 10 weeks before they want to start their next travel assignment. If you know you’re ready to travel or will be soon, we recommend filling out an application so you’re prepared to seize the right opportunity.

See all the FAQ's.

We Have Contracts In:

Yukon - British Columbia - Alberta -Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Ontario - Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick - Nova Scotia

What our nurses have to say.

We highly value and appreciate the reviews from our dedicated travel nurses. Their valuable feedback helps us continuously improve the experiences of our nursing professionals. We are sincerely grateful for their time and effort in sharing their thoughts, which aids us in understanding their needs and preferences.

RN in Saskatchewan

I had the opportunity to work as a travel nurse in Regina, SK. It was a great way to get a taste of the life on the prairies. I really enjoyed the feel of working in a smaller hospital setting and met some great people along the way. My experience with Select Medical was excellent!

RN in Newfoundland

Currently on my first contract in Saint Anthony Nfld. My recruiter, Callie, is very responsive, offered me my next contract closer to home and has me all booked in well in advance! Very appreciative to have had this experience and looking forward to my next!!!

I’ve been with Select Medical for about a year and a half now and my recruiter, Andrew has been kind, prompt and supportive throughout all of my contracts. It’s an incredible opportunity and I’ve met some lifelong friends along the way.

LPN in Nova Scotia

2nd contract in Nova Scotia, will definitely going back again. Travel nursing gives me opportunities to be more proactive! I get to learn new skills and techniques while I get to explore the beauty of unfamiliar places I haven’t been to.

Love taking long walks on my days off! I love meeting new people and exploring new places during my free time! Who doesn’t love getting paid to travel l?!

RN in Nova Scotia

Met up with a travel nursing friend from the West Coast to explore the East Coast while on contract at different hospitals in the region!

RN in Manitoba

Select Medical Connections has been an amazing experience. The staff are extremely accommodating and the people I’ve met are unforgettable. I had the opportunity to earn lots of money while exploring new places, which is unheard of in most professions. If you want to upgrade your nursing career, then you definitely need to try travel nursing with Select Medical Connections.

My experience with Select Med Connections was one of the best experiences of my 22 years of nursing! My recruiter was so enthusiastic and really paid attention to my prerequisites before accepting my position, so I would get the most out of it!! I cannot wait to do it again!! Hats off to Select and to Chantal!

My recruiter has always been there at every turn. At the beginning of a contract opportunity, I am always matched up correctly and accurately for the hospital contract. When I arrive on contract, there are no surprises, because Amanda has carefully briefed me on the expectations that are required of me. She makes regular inquiries as to how the contract is going. I look forward to working with Amanda again and will stay with Select because of her.

Even more testimonials from our nurses!

We are trusted by Health Authorities and Health Care Companies nationwide.

Why you should travel nurse.

This country is phenomenal! Get out and see it while you can. From free travel and accommodation to meeting like minded people, let's explore the advantages of travel nursing together.

More Why You Should

How we get you started.

With our 25 years of experience in contract nursing, we proudly stand by your side. When you are on contract we will be with you all the time.

More How We Help

Apply & Start Your Travel Journey

One of our recruiters be in touch within 48 hours.

Apply Now. It Only Takes 3 Min!

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Creating a space for nurses to thrive.

Northern Medical Connections is a preferred Canadian travel nurse agency, proudly based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our mission is to connect nurses to job opportunities across Canada where they feel valued, supported & safe.

Started by Nurses. For Nurses.

Northern Med is a very different kind of agency. Unlike most travel nurse agencies, Northern Med was founded by an RN who has over 10 years experience working as a travel nurse across Canada - our founder Matthew Jurcina. Matthew loved being a travel nurse, but after years in the industry he knew there had to be a better way; dreaming of an agency that vetted placements in-person before sending in new nurses, where staff could support you both clinically & administratively, and where quality patient-care & work-life balance were the top two priorities. ‍‍ So, in between shifts and placements Matthew started building Northern Med - eventually bringing together a dream team of staff; nurses to help with the clinical perspective, experts in healthcare administration to work with health authorities across the country, and HR pros to handle the high volume of placements and staff. The result has been Northern Med becoming one of Canada's topnotch Travel Nursing Agencies, recruiting healthcare professionals who are falling in love with nursing again!

A team you can trust.

Community you can stand with.

If you're on your own, moving to a different community & starting a new job placement, the change can be daunting... That's why community makes all of the difference. Northern Med not only commits to finding you ideal placements - we'll also ensure you feel supported, cared for, & a part of something bigger while you're there!

We care about patient care.

Northern Med truly cares about seeing our nurses deliver exemplary patient care . It is a top priority for our agency. We believe the best way to guarantee strong health outcomes is to take incredible care of our nurses so that they can take incredible care of their patients.

Balance isn't just a pretty idea.

When a company tells you they value a healthy work-life balance , do they really mean it? Most often you're still left feeling guilty for requesting vacation, expressing your needs, or doing anything other than showing up for work. Well, we're done with that. Time to take back control of your life AND your career. Northern Med is here to help.

We bring everything to the table.

Our dream team is made of up an incredibly diverse and balanced group of people - with mixed professional backgrounds in nursing, human resources, business administration, and healthcare management.

Matthew Jurcina, RN

Founder & ceo.

Our founder, Matthew began his career as an RN after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St-Francis Xavier/Cape Breton University. Matthew built up experience in many different nursing specialities including ICU, Emerg, Family Practice, Occupational Health, & Community Nursing in Indigenous communities. All this experience eventually lead Matthew into travel nursing across Canada, where he started dreaming of building an ideal travel nursing agency that advocated for both quality patient-care and a strong work-life balance for it's nurses.

Since founding Northern Med, Matthew has become an advocate for health, wellness, and balance - specifically in the nursing field. He is a proud husband and father of two boys. He loves all things hockey and will gladly join you on the ice for a quick game of shinny!

Jenn Wadden, MBA

Chief operating officer.

With a Masters of Business Admin from U of A, an Executive Healthcare Leadership Cert from Cornell University, and nearly a decade of experience in healthcare management, Jenn brings so much to the table as Northern Med’s COO.  

Jenn's extensive experience in hospital operations, recruitment, and people management, gives her the unique ability to step into the shoes of our partnering health authorities – helping us to facilitate healthy and long-lasting relationships between our nurses, healthcare administrations, and the communities we serve.

Jenn is a proud Nova Scotian, wife, and mom of two girls. She is an active volunteer, avid traveller, and lover of live music and dancing.

Rebecca Coffey

Human resources manager.

Joining us after an impressive post in the hospitality industry, providing HR leadership to top restaurant groups in Halifax, we're so excited to have Rebecca as our Human Resources Manager.

With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University and an HR Cert, Rebecca has all the chops needed to continually knock this role out of the park.

When Rebecca is not snuggled up with a good book, she also enjoys getting out to an amazing spin class, or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen. With a passion for organization, learning, and community building, Rebecca is a perfect fit for Northern Med!

Julie McCloskey, RN, BN

Health services manager.

With a Bachelor of Nursing Degree from UNB, Julie joins Northern Med with nearly 15 years experience working as an RN - with many of those years spent working as a community health nurse in Nunavut.

Drawing from her experience as an Emergency Dept Nurse, Julie is always up for a challenge and ready to learn and grow while working through any situation.

When she's not kicking butt at Northern Med, Julie is exploring the great outdoors - hiking, backcountry camping, and traveling to new destinations.

Ariel Gavin, RN, BN

Operations manager.

Coming from a diverse RN background, floating to many different specialties over the last decade - including Burns/Plastics, ER, ICU, PACU, Med/Surg, L&D and Mental Health - Ariel is ready to handle anything that's thrown at her!

While Nova Scotia has always been her home, Ariel has experience working as a travel nurse in Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon - giving her the unique insights and first-hand experience needed to tackle the job of being Northern Med's Operations Manager.

Ariel is a wife, mom of one very special girl, and an artist. She's also a sucker for live music, getting out in nature, and always game for an adventure!

Jordan Lang

Marketing manager.

Jordan is extremely passionate about making a positive impact in the communities she works with. This makes her a perfect fit as our Marketing Manager, working alongside Northern Med's exceptional nurses, who aspire to achieve the same unified goal.

With a Bachelor of Social Sciences from uOttawa, and having worked in the federal government housing sector to find creative solutions in areas of affordable housing, risk management, and business optimization - Jordan has been able to transfer those skills to Northern Med.

Jordan is a proud feminist, wife, and mother of two boys. She enjoys living a healthy, active lifestyle and getting outside with her family hiking, cycling, and exploring Nova Scotia’s many beautiful beaches.

Don't burn out. Burn bright.

Northern Medical Connections (NMC) is a preferred Canadian travel nurse agency, proudly based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

© 2015 Northern Medical Connections Inc.

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Travel Nursing Program

An adventure to take your career further.

Join our team of travel nurses who get to explore new communities while expanding their career!

During the assignment, you will receive…

Assignment locations.

Learn more about our assignment locations and dedicated teams:

• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island

Explore our travel nursing opportunities and apply

Many hospitals require nurses to have previous work experience in an acute healthcare environment to be hired. We recognize that this can be a major employment barrier and are excited to offer our travel nursing program as a solution!

If you are an experienced nurse or recent graduate from an RN, RPN, or LPN program, you can apply!  Take advantage of our program to gain greater clinical expertise and open doors to employment opportunities in your home province.

Check out our travel nursing opportunities for a complete list of assignment requirements.

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60+ healthcare facility partners| 2000+ active healthcare staff, 911 nurses gta is reliable,  welcome to 911 nurses gta, where exceptional care meets compassionate hearts. our dedicated team is here to provide you with top-notch healthcare services, tailored to your unique needs. trust in our expertise, embrace our warmth, and let us guide you on your path to wellness. your health, our priority – always.  , client testimonials, travel opportunities for healthcare workers, work with us in nova scotia, manitoba's healthcare frontier.

 Looking for an exciting new opportunity in healthcare? Nova Scotia has it all! With stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and a range of job opportunities, Nova Scotia is the perfect destination for healthcare professionals seeking adventure and career advancement. Whether you want to work and play in a bustling city or explore the natural wonders of the province, we have the perfect opportunity for you. Apply today to discover your next career move in Nova Scotia. 

Newfoundland Opportunities

 Looking for your next work adventure? Consider traveling to Newfoundland for a rewarding healthcare assignment. With its stunning coastlines, rich culture, and welcoming communities, Newfoundland offers a unique opportunity to explore a new part of Canada while advancing your nursing career. We have a range of assignments available to match your skills and interests. Apply today to start your next adventure in Newfoundland. 

 Are you ready for an adventure in healthcare? Join our team and explore the stunning landscapes and warm communities of Manitoba while making a difference in patients' lives. From the vibrant culture of Winnipeg to the tranquility of its wilderness, Manitoba offers endless opportunities for exploration and growth. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or looking for a new experience, come be a part of our dynamic healthcare family. Your next great adventure awaits in Manitoba! 

Jobs in Ontario

Take a detour in new brunswick.

 Ontario has something for everyone, whether you prefer the fast-paced lifestyle of a big city or the close-knit community of a rural town. With a range of job opportunities available, Ontario is the perfect destination for healthcare professionals seeking a fulfilling and rewarding career. Apply today to explore the many options available to you and discover the perfect match for your skills and interests. 

 Embark on your next travel and work adventure in New Brunswick! We are seeking nurses with diverse specialties to join our team. With its picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, New Brunswick offers an exciting opportunity to explore a new part of Canada while advancing your nursing career. We have a wide range of job opportunities available to match your skills and interests. Contact us today to learn more about how you can make New Brunswick your next destination. 

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Nscn (nova scotia college of nursing).

The licensing bodies in Nova Scotia have amalgamated and become NSCN “Nova Scotia College of Nursing” which regulates  LPNS ,  RNs  and  NPs .

Please visit  Nova Scotia College of Nursing  for more information.

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'Burned out': Nurses join travel nursing agencies for more flexibility, higher pay

'if you push people hard enough, they're simply going to go elsewhere,' says union rep.

Social Sharing

As Nova Scotia grapples with a health-care system under strain, some nurses in the province are signing contracts with travel nursing agencies to work elsewhere in Canada.

Higher pay and more flexible schedules are two reasons early career nurses are leaving Nova Scotia hospitals, as Nova Scotia Health struggles to fill 1,024 vacant nursing positions and concerns about working conditions persist.  

Some Nova Scotian travel nurses say there are no retention strategies in place to keep nurses here and alleviate staffing shortages. And there are no incentives for travel nurses to return to full-time staff positions, they say, because they are paid at least double the hourly wage of public-sector nurses and can take unlimited time off between four- to six-week contracts.

Hugh Gillis, vice-president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, said the health authority needs to address these issues to keep nurses on staff. 

"Our nurses are burned out because recruitment and retention issues have been ignored for so long, they're unable to get time off when they need it," Gillis said. 

"If you're working 16-hour days, five to six days a week, there's no future in that," he said. "It's not sustainable over the long term.

"It's about work-life balance, and if you push people hard enough, they're simply going to go elsewhere." 

Balance lacking

Nicole Horechuk started travel nursing only two years into her career.

She worked full-time staff positions in two different Nova Scotia emergency rooms, but quickly found she was working so many hours she had no time to enjoy other activities.

"I was granted little to no vacation time," she said. "So I dropped to a casual position and started travel nursing."

Horechuk saw it as a learning opportunity to practise her skills in rural hospitals while seeing different parts of Canada — plus it paid a lot more money.

"I have definitely asked myself, am I part of the problem? But the answer is no," Horechuk said. "If I wasn't doing travel nursing, I wouldn't be able to do this job at the bedside at all. I would be feeling too burned out. 

"This way, I'm still working in an emergency department. I'm still at the bedside. I'm still providing direct patient care in an area that is short staffed," she said. 

• CBC Investigates N.S. Health says there are no great options as it raises spending on travel nurses by millions
• CBC Investigates N.S. spending tens of millions of dollars on private nursing companies for long-term care

Some nurses choose not to stay at all.

Horechuk noticed nurses moving from high-stress jobs in critical care to jobs in research facilities, private clinics or even cosmetic services.

"People don't want to be experiencing burnout and poor work-life balance for the same wage when you could have a great work-life balance and a lower-stress job," she said.

Horechuk has heard travel nurses say they don't know if they would return to a full-time position in Nova Scotia because of the pay cut, lack of vacation time and gruelling hours.

"If they could correct those things, they would see a return back to full time," she said. "But until then, people might stick with their agency jobs."

Difficult locations

But travel nursing isn't always easy. 

"You're usually going somewhere where if they're short staffed, it's not going to be a great place to work, or it might be really busy," said Jenna Arsenault, a former travel nurse from Sydney, N.S. 

She worked in British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and even Bridgewater, N.S., as a travel nurse. 

• 'We need to stop this': Some N.S. hospital units have 80% nurse vacancy rates

Many of the rural hospitals she worked at were almost fully staffed by travel nurses. They couldn't get people to stay due to the location or the nature of the job.

When staff are leaving in droves, Arsenault says it could signal a larger problem with the unit. 

"If staff aren't getting breaks, if they're super understaffed, most people are just going to leave," she said. "And then you end up needing more travel nurses."

A 'vicious cycle'

This is playing out in Nova Scotia hospitals, too, as the health authority brings on temporary staff to fill vacancy rates ranging between 50 and 80 per cent in some units.

They are spending millions more on temporary workers in recent years. 

In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, Nova Scotia Health spent $8.89 million on travel nurse services, which includes registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse practitioners, patient attendants, unit aides and unit clerks.

So far this fiscal year, the health authority has already spent around double that amount — between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, it spent $16.3-million on agency RNs.

Janet Hazelton, president of the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union, says it's a vicious cycle.

"They can't get time off, so they leave," she said. "It just makes the shortage worse."

Hazelton says federal and provincial governments across the country need to come together to address the shortages as provinces poach nurses from each other. 

"We have to pay nurses more money to come from other provinces to work here as a travel nurse and yet, some of our own nurses are leaving this province to go to other provinces to be travel nurses," she said. 

"We need to get together as a country and decide, OK, how are we going to deal with these shortages?" 

Retention efforts underway

NSH spokesperson Brendan Elliott said in an email the health authority's focus is to recruit new nurses and to retain those they already have.

One new approach is conducting "stay interviews" — a different take on an exit interview — to determine what it would take for nurses to stay with the authority. 

"It doesn't make sense for us to find out what wasn't working as a nurse is walking out the door," Elliott wrote. "Instead, let's capture that while they're still employed by us, and do what we can to satisfy those concerns." 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily Latimer is a reporter for CBC Nova Scotia based in Cape Breton. She's interested in all kinds of stories on the island. Ideas are welcome. You can reach her at [email protected].

Related Stories

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As the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN), we regulate LPNs, RNs and NPs in Nova Scotia on behalf of the public. In this role, we have an obligation to protect the public by overseeing the practice of approximately 19,000 nurses who are licensed to practise nursing in Nova Scotia. Our work helps Nova Scotians place their full confidence in the nurses who care for them, their families and their communities.

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• Anticipating and responding with an open mind.
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• Cultivating and sustaining relationships by being respectful, inclusive, genuine and consistent.
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