Nursing career in the Yukon
The Yukon is more than just a place to work; it’s a place to belong. Whether you are seeking the midnight sun, the aurora borealis, or a career where you can truly make a difference in health care, we have a place for you.
Alongside modern health care facilities, you will find world-class recreational opportunities and access to wide-open landscapes and pristine wilderness.
Find your healthy career in the Yukon.
Note: To practise nursing in the Yukon, you must be registered with the appropriate regulatory body. Your regulatory body depends on your professional designation.
Why choose the Yukon
The Yukon offers a rare balance: welcoming communities, a slower pace of life and urban comforts you might not expect. Commutes are short and your workday ends with time still left for you.
Here you’ll find a more peaceful, balanced lifestyle. Plus, you’ll have the time and space to truly know your patients and clients as people, not only as chart numbers or rushed appointments.
The Yukon is home to 14 self-governing Yukon First Nations, each with distinct cultures, languages and traditions. Nurses work in partnership with First Nations governments, communities and health organizations to deliver care that is respectful, culturally safe and grounded in local context. Cultural safety, relationship-building and community collaboration are central to health care practice in the territory.
You will serve diverse populations across urban, rural and remote settings, gaining experience that is both professionally rewarding and personally enriching.
The Yukon offers competitive compensation, supportive work environments and the opportunity to practise at the full scope of your profession.
Working as a nurse in the Yukon
Nurses in the Yukon work in a range of settings, including:
- Acute care hospitals
- Community health centres
- Rural and remote communities
- Long-term care
- Public health
The Yukon offers opportunities to practice across diverse populations and in team-based care environments. Nurses often work closely with physicians, allied health professionals and community partners.
Depending on the role, positions may include on-call responsibilities or travel to rural communities.
Supports for nurses
The Yukon is committed to supporting recruitment and retention of nurses.
Available supports may include:
- Orientation and onboarding programs
- Mentorship or transition-to-practice programs
- Continuing education opportunities
- Professional development funding
Current financial incentives
The following recruitment and retention incentives apply to eligible nursing positions with the Government of Yukon. These incentives do not apply to positions with other employers.
The Government of Yukon has extended high-value recruitment and retention programs through March 31, 2027.
Signing bonuses:
- $7,500 for eligible Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs).
- $4,500 for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
Retention Bonuses:
Annual bonuses for continued service, up to:
- $15,000 for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
- $8,000 for Licensed Practical Nurses
Community-specific bonuses:
Up to $10,000 in additional incentives for Primary Care Nurses working in rural communities.
Student loan forgiveness:
Eligibility for the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness program for those in designated rural or remote areas.
Exam fee reimbursement:
New graduates hired by the Yukon government can have their registration exam fees fully reimbursed.
View testimonials from other health care providers in the Yukon
Licensing and registration
To practice nursing in the Yukon, you must be registered with the appropriate regulatory body. Your regulatory body depends on your professional designation.
Recent updates allow for more streamlined licensing pathways for out-of-province and internationally trained nurses.
| Profession | Regulatory body | Link to apply |
| Registered Nurses (RN) | Yukon Registered Nurses Association (YRNA) | Register with YRNA |
| Nurse Practitioners (NP) | Yukon Registered Nurses Association (YRNA) | Register with YRNA |
| Licensed Practical Nurses | Government of Yukon (PLRA) | Register with PLRA |
| Other health care provider | Government of Yukon (PLRA) | Register with PLRA |
Processing times vary depending on your application and supporting documentation. Contact the regulator directly for specific questions about eligibility and timelines.
Internationally educated nurses (IENs)
The Foreign Credential Recognition Navigation Service is a pilot program to help you access services to get your foreign credentials recognized to work in health care in the Yukon.
Eligibility criteria
You can use our Foreign Credential Recognition Navigation Service if you:
- are an internationally educated health professional;
- reside in the Yukon;
- are legally entitled to work in Canada;
- do not yet have a license to practice in Canada; and
- demonstrate a commitment to practice in the Yukon within the next 2 years.
This service is intended to support individuals who plan to live and work in the Yukon. Exceptions to the residency requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Get your foreign credentials recognized
Immigration
If you are an internationally educated nurse considering a move to Canada, there are several steps that may be part of your journey. These can include applying for immigration, getting your education assessed, preparing for work in Canada, and exploring financial and settlement supports.
Important note: This information is a general starting point only. Always confirm details directly with the Government of Canada and the organizations listed.
Immigration pathways
One option may be Express Entry through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. This pathway is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada.
Educational credential assessment
Internationally educated nurses who want to practise in the Yukon must apply through the Yukon Registered Nurses Association (YRNA) online portal and complete all required registration steps. As part of the process, YRNA requires a competency assessment for internationally educated nurses. YRNA will review the assessment results and application materials to determine eligibility for registration.
Nurses educated in the United States may be eligible for an expedited registration pathway.
Support for internationally educated nurses
The PASS Program offers pre- and post-arrival support for internationally educated nurses, including workshops, mentorship, and case management.
You can also explore free pre-arrival employment services funded by the Government of Canada.
Immigration consultants
If you use an immigration consultant, make sure they are authorized to practise in Canada.
Work permits
Some nurses may need a work permit to work in Canada temporarily.
Find a nursing job in the Yukon
Nursing opportunities in the Yukon span the full continuum of care, including home care, hospice and long-term care, primary care, public health, chronic disease management and air ambulance services. Positions are available across multiple employers and care settings throughout the territory.
Yukon Hospital Corporation
Hospital-based nursing positions, including acute care and specialty areas.
Find jobs with Yukon Hospital Corporation
Government of Yukon
Community nursing, public health nursing, continuing care and other community-based roles.
Check out the career profiles for these nursing positions in the Yukon government:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Nurse Practitioner
- Infectious Disease Nurse
- Registered Nurse Supervisor.
Find health care jobs with Government of Yukon
Kwanlin Dün First Nation
Community-based health services and primary care roles serving Kwanlin Dün citizens and the broader community.
Related tasks
- Apply to health care jobs with the Government of Yukon
- Apply to health care jobs with Yukon Hospital Corporation
- Register with the YRNA
- Register with Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (PLRA)
- Read testimonials from other health care providers in the Yukon
- Kwanlin Dün First Nation job opportunities