As a member of the military, Nursing Officers provide primary and tertiary patient care to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, either in Canadian Forces Health Services Centres in Canada, or in acute care hospitals while on operations abroad. Nursing Officers also provide preventive, occupational and environmental health care services through practice as well as through health education and policy development.
Nursing Officers work within a collaborative practice model with other members of the health care team. Nursing Officers have the opportunity to work in different domains of nursing practice including:
- Clinical/patient care delivery
- Health services policy development
- Administration
- Training and education
Work Environment
Nursing Officers usually work in hospitals and clinics in a team-oriented practice with other medical team members. The work schedule may vary from shift work to a regular 40‑hour work week, depending on the environment. Nursing Officers may be called to assist in exercises, medical evacuation flights, and domestic or international emergencies.
During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, Nursing Officers live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.
On a Regular Force career, you will be assigned to your first base after training and will likely move at some point. On a Primary Reserve Force career you will work part‑time with a specific Reserve unit and typically work one night per week and some weekends, with full‑time opportunities possible.
Entry Plans
Direct Entry Options
Paid Education Options
If you already have a university degree and licence to practise as a registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory, the CAF may place you directly into an on‑the‑job training program following basic training.
Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP)
CFa grants a university degree and pays for training. Successful recruits receive full‑time salary with medical and dental care, vacation time with full pay in exchange for serving in the CAF for a period of time. Candidates must attend a civilian Canadian university since the Royal Canadian Military College System does not offer a matching degree.
Training
Basic Military Officer Qualification training: 12 weeks at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School.
Clinical Phase Training to achieve the required clinical competencies.
Common Health Services Officer course: eight‑day e‑learning.
Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre: introductory courses and operational care training.
Specialised skills courses include:
- Critical Care
- Mental Health Nursing
- Perioperative Care
- Emergency Room Nursing
- Aeromedical Evacuation Nursing
- Primary Care Nursing
The Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves provide part‑time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations. Reserve Force members usually serve part‑time in their local health services unit, may take school or a civilian job, and are paid during training. Employment may be voluntary for relocation or deployment.
Part‑time employment opportunities include:
- Primary Care / Ambulatory Care Nurses
- Emergency Nurses
- Critical Care Nurses
- Medical/Surgical Nurses
- Peri‑Operative Nurses
- Nurse Practitioners
- Registered or Licensed Practical Nurses (Medical Assistant opportunity)
- Operating Room Technicians (Operating Room Technician opportunity)