Number of Nurses in Canada

Question

Hi everyone,

I have a student looking for the number of nurses (RNs) in Canada. Cansim has information going back to 1987. Do you know where I would find information for previous years. She would like to go back to 1900 if possible, but would be thrilled to have data back to the 1940s.

Thank you in advance for any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Answer

These historical statistics may be available in Statistics Canada's older print publications. Please let me know if you would like me to refer you to the StatCan Library Reference Desk. Their reference librarians could help you locate and access print publications in their historical print collection.

The following article from Canadian Social Trends looked at nursing in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and may be of interest to the student as well: Sedivy-Glasgow, Marie. Nursing in Canada. Canadian Social Trends, Spring 1992, no. 24.

For more recent years, the student may also wish to look at the statistics on nurses available on the CIHI website.

(While looking into your question I consulted a number of products including Labour Force Historical Review (2009 and 2008 issues) and Historical Statistics of Canada but their occupation tables unfortunately didn't have the level of detail the student needs or didn't provide earlier statistics than the ones you have already found on CANSIM.)

I hope that this information is helpful.