Population-to-nurse Ratios, 1996

Regional variations in the distribution of registered nurses across Canada are illustrated by using population-to-nurse ratios. National and provincial and territorial ratios are derived from various publications of the Canadian Institute for Health Information and sub-provincial ratios are based on 1996 census data (refer to Methodological Notes).

The decrease in the number of registered nurses relative to the total population in Canada is illustrated in Figure 1. During the 1990s, 1991 is the year with the highest relative number of nurses when the ratio was 121:1. The remainder of the 1990s saw a steady climb to 134:1 in 1999, the most recent year for which data is available.

[D]
Click for larger version, 3 KB
Figure 1. Population-to-nurse Ratios, 1988 to 1999 (per Registered Nurse Employed in Nursing)

The population-to-nurse ratio (Figure 2) exceeds 140:1 in Ontario, British Columbia, and in the Northwest Territories (including Nunavut). The number of RNs per capita is much better in New Brunswick and Newfoundland where the ratios are 98:1 and 103:1, respectively. As an interesting comparison, the United States Health Workforce Personnel Factbook reports that for registered nurses, the population-to-nurse ratio overall is 124:1, ranging from 90:1 in the New England area and 152:1 in the west south central United States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas).

[D]
Click for larger version, 8 KB
Figure 2. Provincial/Territorial Population-to-nurse Ratios, 1999 (per Registered Nurse Employed in Nursing)

Population-to-nurse ratios shown on this map include 114 census divisions (40%) with ratios less than 130:1, which was the national population-to-nurse ratio in 1996. A majority of the CDs with a ratio of 100:1 or lower can be found in eastern Canada and in Manitoba. These are areas where the number of registered nurses per capita is higher than the national rate. At the other end of the scale, regions with relatively few nurses per capita (with ratios greater than 200:1) predominate in the territories and in the northern portions of many provinces. As well, areas where there are few nurses relative to the population can be found along the British Columbia coast, the western border of Alberta, in southern Quebec outside of major metropolitan areas, and throughout Newfoundland. In Ontario, only Toronto and Haliburton County would be included in this group, an interesting contrast in terms of urban-rural comparisons. In general, but not as an absolute rule, higher numbers of nurses occur in locations throughout Canada where there are relatively high numbers of physician specialists. As the majority of both registered nurses and physician specialists work in hospital environments, this pattern is not unexpected.

• Health
• Health Resources
• Nursing Resources
• References and Links