Emergency Travel Nursing Jobs in Canada
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What ER Travel Nursing Looks Like in Canada
Emergency travel nursing in Canada spans three distinct practice tracks. Understanding which track matches your experience helps your recruiter find the right fit:
Urban Trauma Centres
Major teaching hospitals and regional trauma centres in urban centres like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa. These contracts involve high-acuity multi-system trauma, complex resuscitations, and a multidisciplinary team environment. The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) is the standard in all Canadian ERs — ER nurses from other systems adapt quickly once familiar with the five-level framework.
Rural Blended ER/Acute
The majority of ER travel contracts in Canada are blended roles combining emergency with acute care — and sometimes long-term care. Rural ERs involve a broader autonomous scope, higher clinical variability, and more independent decision-making than urban counterparts. If you're comfortable working with less immediate specialist backup and broader patient presentations, rural ER contracts are highly rewarding and among the most competitive in compensation.
Required Certifications & Experience
Certifications:
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS - depending on the facility)
Experience: 2-3 years in an Emergency Department setting preferred.
Skills Checklists:
Emergency Nursing Checklist
Medical Skills Checklist
Long-Term Care Checklist
These help us match your experience with the right role
At Select Medical Connections, we believe you deserve to feel genuinely supported — not just placed. Here's what's included with every contract:
Extended health & dental benefits from Day 1 of your contract — no waiting period (minimum 8-week contract)
Employee Assistance Program — confidential counselling and mental health resources available immediately
Competitive base pay + tax-free per diem
Travel and housing covered — flights, accommodations, or housing allowance arranged per contract
Provincial licensing fee reimbursement and full credentialing support
24/7 emergency support hotline throughout your contract
Dedicated recruiter who stays with you from first call to final shift
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Getting Started
How to Land an Emergency Travel Nursing Contract in Canada with Select Medical Connections
Frequently Asked Questions — Emergency Travel Nursing
Here are the questions ER nurses ask us most when they're considering travel nursing with Select Medical Connections. Don't see yours? Connect with a recruiter directly — we're happy to talk specifics.
Can LPNs take ER travel contracts in Canada?
Yes, in some provinces and settings. LPN scope of practice in emergency varies by province — in some provinces LPNs work extensively in ER; in others the role is more restricted. Your recruiter will match you to contracts appropriate for your designation and province. Ontario RPNs are also eligible for select ER contracts.
Are ER contracts always full-time shift work?
Most ER travel contracts follow standard shift structures — 8 or 12-hour shifts, rotating days/nights. Schedules can vary by facility. If you have specific scheduling requirements, communicate them clearly to your recruiter upfront — we'll work to match them wherever possible.
What's the difference between a blended ER/Acute contract and a dedicated ER contract?
A dedicated ER contract means you work exclusively in the emergency department. A blended contract — common in rural settings — means you rotate through ER and acute care (and sometimes LTC) within the same facility. Blended contracts are the most common ER travel format in rural Canada and often include slightly broader compensation to reflect the expanded scope.
Do I need TNCC or ACLS to travel as an ER nurse?
ACLS is preferred or required for most urban ER contracts and strongly recommended for rural ER. TNCC is a significant asset for trauma centre placements but not universally required. Your recruiter will tell you exactly what each specific contract requires before you decide whether to apply.
How quickly can I get placed in an ER contract?
Timelines depend on how quickly your credentialing and interprovincial licensing come through. If you're already licensed in the destination province, placement can happen within a few weeks. Select Medical Connections's team works to expedite credentialing — the faster you start the process, the faster we can place you.
What benefits are included with ER travel contracts?
All Select Medical Connections contracts include Day 1 extended health, dental, vision, 80% prescription coverage, mental wellness support, and EAP access — minimum 8-week contract. ER nurses also receive competitive base pay, tax-free per diem, travel and housing, Friday pay, and 24/7 hotline support throughout the contract.
