Health care professionals are at the heart of patient care. The need for these experts is high – not only here in Newfoundland and Labrador, but across Canada and beyond.
We have world-class professionals working across the province and we’re dedicated to keeping them here with competitive incentives and meaningful practice supports.
We also need to bring in new recruits. So, we’re marketing our province with incentives and highlighting the transformational changes of our system to attract talented professionals interested in joining the builders and change-makers we already have.
The result is a growing team of health care professionals here to provide you and your loved ones with the care you need.
For more information about incentive programs and employment opportunities, visit WorkInHealthNL.ca
Over 160 physicians* recruited and started since April 2023**
*Number includes hires new to NL Health Services and does not include medical residents
**Last updated August 2025
1,267 physicians practicing in Newfoundland and Labrador*
*Updated annually, last October 2024
Over 1,300 new nurses hired since April 2023*
*Last updated March 2025
8,366 nurses registered to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador*
*Updated annually, last updated June 2025
We’ve launched a number of new incentive programs designed to support our existing health care workforce and attract new talent to the province.
family physicians have signed on
to Family Practice Programs*
*Updated biannually, last updated July 2025
Our Family Practice Program is the highest financial incentive offered to family physicians in Atlantic Canada.
read more +
specialists have been funded in 2024-25
to enhance their skills to benefit local patients*
*Updated annually, last updated July 2025
We’re supporting physicians who undertake training in specialty and sub-specialty programs that are not offered locally, with the funding needed to enhance their skills.
read more +
health care professionals have accepted*
*Last updated April 2025
The Come Home Incentive is available to help bring health care professionals to Newfoundland and Labrador who have been living outside the province for at least six months.
read more +Newfoundland and Labrador is home to talented professionals from within the province and from away. We’re committed to making sure that this is a great place for them to live and work.
students graduating in 2025
have chosen to work in
Newfoundland and Labrador*
*Updated at graduation 2025
and then again next year
Upon completion of training, we aim to keep talent in the province with competitive job offers that work for them.
read more +
medical students and residents have accepted
bursaries in 2025-26 to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador*
*Updated annually, last updated July 2025
The Provincial Physician Bursary Program encourages undergraduate medical students and medical residents to practice by assisting with academic and living expenses during training. In exchange, students and residents agree to practice in the province.
read more +We offer $150,000 to new family practice physicians who open a family practice clinic or join an existing family practice in a Newfoundland and Labrador community, in return for a five-year service commitment.
As a result of this incentive, new physicians will offer care in 12 communities:
Bay Roberts
Clarenville
Conception Bay South
Corner Brook
Gander
Grand Falls-Windsor
Holyrood
Lewisporte
Paradise
Petty Harbour
Portugal Cove – St. Phillips
St. John’s
As of April 2025, a total of 207 individuals have had offers and have accepted with a value of approximately $12,620,000.
We are covering the cost of licensing fees and liability protection for eligible retired family physicians, and offering a pro-rated rural retention bonus for physicians in eligible communities for every month of service they provide under this program. Additionally, the NLMA is waiving membership fees for currently retired physicians who opt to return to practice under the program.
In return, recipients of Traveling Fellowship funding agree to return to the province and commit to one year of service for each year they received funding.
517 students who graduated in 2025 within the province have accepted employment with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, with breakdown of professions as follows:
146 Licensed Practical Nurses;
5 Clinical Psychologists;
8 Medical Lab Techs;
222 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students;
8 Nurse Practitioners;
10 Primary Care Paramedics;
103 Personal Care Attendants;
4 Pharmacists; and
11 Respiratory Therapists.
We offer two different incentives: the Undergraduate Medical Student Bursary Program and the Medical Resident Bursary Program:
13 medical students have accepted funding under the Undergraduate Medical Student Bursary Program in 2025-26 in exchange for a one-year return-in-service.
2 resident physicians (family medicine and specialists) have signed on in 2025-26 to work in the province for up to three years after obtaining licensure.