Three Routes Start
University degree

Nursing (RN)

DEC Soins infirmiers (3 years) + OIIQ exam, infirmière (RN); optional DEC-BAC (+2 years), infirmière clinicienne

22 of 30 verified for Quebec; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Quebec works differently: trades are a nearly free DEP then a CCQ apprenticeship; college is a 3-year DEC at a cégep (tuition-free for residents); university is 3 years after a 2-year pre-university DEC. Numbers from IMT en ligne, CCQ, FIQ scales and the Relance surveys.
Years to credential3
First real paycheque~3 years
Time in a classroom60%
Total cost$3,300
Typical debt after$0
Demand in QuebecHigh

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$414k3 years at $0 while in school, then $53,800 rising to $61,500 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$3ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$411kthe number on the card
Low to high$348k to $473kpay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the Quebec median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isScience courses plus clinical placements from second year; hospital, community or specialty practice after.
What actually stops peopleCompetitive admission (high 80s) and heavy clinical hours.
The downsideShift work, understaffing and burnout are serious in Ontario hospitals right now.
If you're the parentGuaranteed employment, a pension-track public job, and options to specialise or move into management. It is a demanding four years.
Local opportunities in Quebec

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How to enter

What you need
  • Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Functions, English (U)
  • Average around 85+
Deadlines in Quebec
  • Université applications: March 1 for fall (McGill January 15); cégep DEC required for Quebec students
  • AFE (Aide financière aux études) in spring

Next steps in Quebec

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In QuebecIn Quebec a 3-year DEC is enough to be an RN. The DEC-BAC adds about $8,400 and moves you to the clinicienne scale (top $54.98/h).
www.fiqsante.qc.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for Quebec Sources: FIQ 2024-2028 scale (infirmière step 1 $29.58, top $47.43, April 2026); Relance université 2025; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029 31301: déficit

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