Three Routes Start
College diploma

Practical nursing (RPN)

DEP Santé, assistance et soins infirmiers (1,800 h) + OIIAQ exam, infirmière auxiliaire

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 credential1.5
First real paycheque~2 year
Time in a classroom60%
Total cost$1,900
Typical debt after$0
Demand in QuebecHigh

The first ten years

schoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$494k1 year at $0 while in school, then $50,500 rising to $56,700 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$2ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$492kthe number on the card
Low to high$418k to $566kpay 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 isHands-on patient care in hospitals and long-term care. Clinical placements start in first year.
What actually stops peopleCompetitive admission; strong Grade 12 biology and English needed.
The downsideTwelve-hour shifts, nights and weekends. The RPN-to-RN bridge takes another two to three years if you want the higher ceiling.
If you're the parentTwo years to a licensed health-care job with guaranteed demand. Lower ceiling than an RN degree, but half the time and cost.
Local opportunities in Quebec

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Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

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How to enter

What you need
  • Courses: Biology, English (U)
  • Average around 75+
Deadlines in Quebec
  • SRAM (cégep) March 1 for fall; a DEC takes 2 or 3 years
  • AFE in spring

Next steps in Quebec

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In QuebecPublic-network scale at 35 h/week; premiums and overtime excluded. A fraction of Ontario's college cost.
www.fiqsante.qc.ca · www.quebec.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for Quebec Sources: FIQ 2024-2028 salary scale (step 1 $27.75 from April 2026); IMT 32101 median $30/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: léger déficit

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