As a new report reveals a sharp decline in young nurses across Canada, Northern Health says it is stepping up efforts to address ongoing workforce shortages through four main areas: incentives, recruitment, training, and system redesign.
A report released by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) shows that for every 100 nurses under 35 who entered the workforce in 2023, 40 others left, with British Columbia faring slightly better at 27 per 100. The findings highlight a growing strain on Canada’s healthcare system, with nursing job vacancies tripling nationwide between 2018 and 2023.Despite the national exodus, British Columbia is seeing improvement — turnover among young nurses has dropped by 50 percent since 2014, and nearly 93 percent of nurses trained in the province are now registered to practise.
Northern Health President and CEO Ciro Pannesa says is making progress through focused measures and outlined four key arears of action :
- Incentives: Expanding rural and northern signing bonuses, relocation support, and retention packages to attract and keep health workers in underserved regions.
- Recruitment: Working closely with post-secondary partners and international agencies to fast-track qualified nurses and healthcare professionals into B.C.’s system.
- Training: Investing in continuous learning, mentorship programs, and local training opportunities to strengthen career pathways.
- Redesigning: Restructuring workplace models to allow for more flexible scheduling and role-sharing, ensuring that nurses have a stronger voice in how care is delivered.
“Flexibility is key,” the CEO added. “When healthcare professionals have the freedom and support to choose where and how they work, they’re more likely to stay.”
As the healthcare system continues to adapt, Northern Health says collaboration with the province, unions, and post-secondary institutions will remain essential to reversing the trend and stabilizing the workforce.