A growing number of nurse practitioners in Ontario are experiencing burnout and dissatisfaction with their jobs due to low pay, unsustainable job responsibilities, and lack of support. Nurse practitioners warn that without urgent action, the already strained health-care system in the province could collapse. A national survey found that only one in eight Ontario nurse practitioners were very satisfied with their jobs, with almost 78 percent citing compensation as their top concern. Retired nurse practitioner Claudia Mariano, who has over 25 years of experience, expressed common sentiments of resentment among nurse practitioners due to the lack of increase in compensation, support, and respect despite the increase in responsibility and accountability.
More than half of Ontario nurse practitioners surveyed are considering leaving the profession or have expressed serious indications that they might. Many nurse practitioners cited mental health and burnout as their top professional challenges. As the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators plans to implement a new pan-Canadian framework in 2026 to enhance mobility for nurse practitioners nationwide, concerns around employment retention in Ontario have arisen. Nurse practitioners are leaving the province for better pay elsewhere, creating a human resource crisis that ultimately impacts patient care. Erin Mignault, a nurse practitioner with over 40 years of experience, highlighted the cycle of burnout and the impact of nurse practitioners leaving the field on patients who lack access to primary-care providers.
Ontario is currently facing challenges in connecting an estimated 2.2 million residents to regular primary-care providers, leading many to rely on crowded emergency rooms or walk-in clinics. While the province claims to be investing in the nurse practitioner workforce by adding new education seats, removing administrative tasks, and expanding nurse practitioners’ scope of practice, advocates argue that without significant reforms and better compensation, nurse practitioners will continue to leave the profession. Nurse practitioner Aliya Hajee emphasized the crucial role that nurse practitioners play in supporting and holding together the health-care system, and warned that the province may soon face a new health-care challenge if changes are not made.
Aliya Hajee, a nurse practitioner and founder of NP Circle, an organization that supports nurse practitioners in Canada, has expressed concern over the lack of support for nurse practitioners in the current health-care system. Nurse practitioners are taking on increasing volumes of patient care without the necessary support, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction. A national survey conducted by NP Circle revealed that only a small percentage of nurse practitioners in Ontario are very satisfied with their jobs, with compensation being a major concern. Retired nurse practitioner Claudia Mariano also highlighted the lack of increase in compensation, support, and respect despite the expansion of nurse practitioners’ scope of practice.
Many nurse practitioners in Ontario are considering leaving the profession due to pay concerns, mental health challenges, and burnout. The impending implementation of a new pan-Canadian framework for nurse practitioners in 2026 has raised concerns about employment retention in Ontario, as nurse practitioners may leave for better pay in other provinces. This human resource crisis is impacting patient care, as the shortage of nurse practitioners leaves many residents without access to regular primary-care providers. Without significant reforms and better compensation, nurse practitioners warn that the health-care system in Ontario may face serious challenges in the near future.
Despite efforts to invest in the nurse practitioner workforce in Ontario, nurse practitioners continue to feel unsupported and overwhelmed by their job responsibilities. The strain on nurse practitioners is leading to burnout and dissatisfaction, with many considering leaving the profession. As the province struggles to connect millions of residents to primary-care providers, nurse practitioners play a crucial role in filling gaps in the health-care system. However, without significant changes to improve the working conditions and compensation for nurse practitioners, the province may face an even greater health-care challenge in the future. These healthcare workers play a vital role in supporting and holding together the health-care system, and urgent action is needed to address their concerns and prevent further strain on Ontario’s health-care system.
