Nurse jobs in Quebec: where to apply, what it takes, the prospects
Santé Québec is the only employer of the public network. Where to apply, the requirements, the job titles and the official prospects.
In Quebec's public network, nurse jobs come from a single employer: Santé Québec. Applications are filed region by region, on the recruitment site of each institution. This article applies to nurses of all genders.
Who hires in the public network
Santé Québec has been the single employer of the staff of the health and social services network since December 1, 2024, according to Québec.ca.
Where to apply
The starting point is the page sante.quebec/carrieres/travailler-avec-nous. It lists institutions by region. On October 10, 2026, the page lists 16 regions and 30 institutions.
The name of each institution leads to its recruitment site, where nurse job postings can be searched.
Santé Québec also runs a job site, emplois.sante.quebec. The careers page sends visitors there for head office jobs.
What it takes to be hired
Québec.ca, in its profile of the profession updated on June 19, 2026, names two programs: the DEC (CEGEP diploma) in nursing and the bachelor's degree in nursing. The profile adds one condition: membership in the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ), Quebec's order of nurses.
The network's job title nomenclature, version of September 15, 2026, requires the nurse (title 2471) to be a member of the OIIQ. It requires a bachelor's degree for the clinical nurse (title 1911).
A graduate waiting for her licence works as a candidate to the nursing profession (title 2490). This status is explained in our article on the CEPI.
Nurse job titles
The rates are those of the top step on April 1, 2026, taken from the nomenclature. The details are in our article on nurse salary.
| Title | Number | What the nomenclature says | Top step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse | 2471 | Responsible for a set of nursing care | $47.48 |
| Team leader nurse | 2459 | Also coordinates a diverse group | $49.89 |
| Assistant to the immediate superior | 2489 | Assists the immediate superior and coordinates a service | $52.43 |
| Clinical nurse | 1911 | Bachelor's degree required, complex health problems | $55.04 |
| Outpost nurse | 2491 | Outpost without a doctor on permanent duty | $55.04 |
| Nursing care advisor | 1913 | Advises the institution on nursing care | $57.81 |
| Clinical nurse assistant to the immediate superior | 1912 | Clinical nurse who performs assistant duties | $60.67 |
| Surgical first assistant nurse | 1916 | Works with the surgeon during the operation | $60.67 |
| Clinical nurse specialist | 1917 | Graduate degree and OIIQ specialist certificate | $63.64 |
| Nurse practitioner (IPS) | 1915 | Graduate degree and specialist certificate, 40-hour week | $73.20 |
The other titles in the table provide for 37.5 hours a week. See The clinical nurse.
Workplaces
Québec.ca writes that these workers are self-employed, work in home care or in the following settings:
- Hospital centres
- Health care or long-term care facilities
- Rehabilitation centres
- Clinics and doctors' offices
- Pharmacies and community organizations
- Call centres, businesses and schools
Avenir en santé, the government's site on network careers, names the hospital centre, the rehabilitation centre, the CLSC (local community service centre) and the CHSLD (long-term care centre). According to Canada's Job Bank, 78% of people in the profession in Quebec work in hospitals.
Full time, part time, availability list
The FIQ collective agreement, in force from December 15, 2024 to March 31, 2028, defines the statuses in its articles 1.02, 1.03 and 1.17:
- Full time: the employee works the number of hours set for her job title
- Part time: the employee works fewer hours, in a position of at least 14 shifts per 28 days. This minimum does not apply to the candidate to the profession
- Availability list: its definition is negotiated locally. By local arrangement, an employee on this list assigned to a full-time assignment of six months or more is considered full time for that period, at her request
This summary is neither legal advice nor union advice. See our article on the FIQ collective agreement.
Job prospects
Québec.ca rates the prospects of the profession (NOC code 31301) « Excellentes » (excellent) for Quebec as a whole in 2025-2029, and counts 75,000 people employed in 2024.
Canada's Job Bank rates them « Modérées » (moderate) in Quebec for 2025 to 2027, in an assessment updated on December 10, 2025. Four regions are rated « Bonnes » (good): Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Outaouais.
The Job Bank adds that institutions must gradually reduce their use of staff from private staffing agencies. The last deadline of the regulation falls on October 18, 2026. See our article on staffing agencies in health care.
Nurses trained outside Quebec
The OIIQ describes three paths: graduates from another Canadian province or territory, graduates from France and graduates from outside Canada. For the last group, the Order lists eight steps: the online self-assessment, the application for recognition of equivalence, the registration certificate, the professional integration program, CEPI status, the professional exam, the licence to practise and registration on the roll. A French test is added if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
What jobs can a nurse do?
The public network's nomenclature opens to OIIQ members the titles of nurse, team leader, assistant to the immediate superior and outpost nurse. With a bachelor's degree, clinical nurse and nursing care advisor are added. With a graduate degree, clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner are added.
What type of nurse is the best paid in Quebec?
In the public network's scales, it is the nurse practitioner (title 1915): $73.20 an hour at the top step on April 1, 2026, according to the nomenclature. Next is the clinical nurse specialist at $63.64. The nurse (title 2471) reaches $47.48. This comparison covers the public network's scales, without premiums.
Can you work as a nurse before getting your licence?
Yes, as a candidate to the nursing profession (title 2490). According to the nomenclature, she performs the activities of a nurse under the supervision of a nurse, except for the exceptions set by regulation. The rate for this title is $26.95 an hour on April 1, 2026.
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Sources
- Gouvernance du système de santé et de services sociaux et création de Santé Québec, Québec.ca, updated September 19, 2025
- Travailler avec nous, Santé Québec, consulted on October 10, 2026
- Offres d'emploi Santé Québec, Santé Québec, consulted on October 10, 2026
- Infirmiers / infirmières, Québec.ca, updated June 19, 2026
- Nomenclature des titres d'emploi, des libellés, des taux et des échelles de salaire, CPNSSS, version of September 15, 2026
- Infirmière ou infirmier, Avenir en santé, Government of Quebec, consulted on October 10, 2026
- Convention collective CPNSSS et FIQ, administrative version, articles 1.02, 1.03 and 1.17, in force from December 15, 2024 to March 31, 2028
- Infirmier autorisé/infirmière autorisée au Québec, perspectives d'emploi, Guichet-Emplois (Job Bank), Government of Canada, prospects updated December 10, 2025
- Infirmière diplômée ou infirmier diplômé hors Canada, OIIQ, consulted on October 10, 2026