First Difference Correlation Analysis to Examine Inter-Provincial and Cross-Professional Nursing Mobility in Canada

The Canadian health system is undergoing a nursing workforce realignment influenced by compensation models, changing scopes of practice, and retention issue. This study examines workforce mobility and professional case-mix shifts across Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses, from 2015-24. We analyzed the nurses per 10,000 population across Canadian provinces. Through Ordinary Least Squares regression and year-over-year correlation, we found patterns suggesting inversely correlated jurisdiction trends for Alberta and New Brunswick, which may be subsidizing growth in British Columbia, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Furthermore, within-province analysis shows possible substitution, where provinces offset RN losses by expanding LPNs. Finally, cross-profession mobility analysis hints that inter-provincial distribution patterns may indicate professional shifts. Findings highlight the need for harmonized pan-Canadian licensure and compensation frameworks to stabilize the nursing workforce.