Despite some regional variation, overall there was intensive recruitment of new nursing graduates in Canada until 2010 when the economic downturn began to result in position cutbacks. Reports across the country indicated that new graduates were experiencing difficulty in finding employment. This change in demand is being attributed to economic factors and to provincial/territorial government policies aimed at increasing the use of practical nurses in positions previously held by registered nurses. Senior nurses who normally would be retired or work fewer hours are remaining in the workforce. However when the economy improves these nurses are expected to withdraw, thus.
