Agency Nursing Jobs in Canada and How They Work

Agency nursing is one of the most flexible ways to work as a nurse in Canada, and often one of the best paid. If you have searched agency nursing jobs and want to understand how they work, what they pay, and how on-demand shifts compare, this covers it.

What is agency nursing?

An agency places nurses in temporary or contract roles at hospitals, long-term care homes, and other facilities that need coverage. You are on the agency's roster, and the agency assigns you to shifts or contracts based on where the need is. It suits nurses who want a change from a single permanent employer and are comfortable moving between facilities.

What agency nurses earn

Agency and contract nursing usually pays a higher hourly rate than a permanent staff line, because the facility is paying for flexibility and short-notice coverage. In Toronto, per-diem and contract nursing rates commonly run from the mid $30s to the high $60s an hour, depending on unit, shift, and how urgently the facility needs cover (Source: Canadian job-board listings, 2026). The trade-off is that agency and contract work often does not include the pension and benefits of a permanent role.

Agency roster versus on-demand marketplace

There are two flexible models, and they are not the same.

• Agency roster: the agency holds your file and assigns you to shifts or contracts. You take what is offered.

• On-demand marketplace: you see the shifts yourself, choose the ones that fit, and claim them directly.

Both give you flexibility and higher hourly rates than a permanent line. The difference is control. On a marketplace, you pick the facility, the date, and the rate before you commit.

How on-demand shifts work

Staffy is an on-demand marketplace that connects nurses with facilities that need coverage. You browse registered nurse shifts, claim the ones that fit your schedule and radius, and get paid for what you complete. You work as an independent contractor and set your own calendar. Each listing shows the facility and rate before you claim it.

For a nurse who wants agency-style flexibility with more control over which shifts you take, that is the appeal.

How to start

Create your profile on the Staffy app, verify your registration with your provincial nursing regulator, and complete the standard checks shown as you build your profile. Once verified, you can see shifts near you and claim the ones that fit.

The takeaway

Agency nursing is a proven way to earn more and work flexibly in Canada. An on-demand marketplace offers the same flexibility with one difference: you choose the shifts yourself, rather than waiting for an assignment. Decide how much control you want, then pick the model that matches.

Common questions

What is agency nursing? Working through an agency that places you in temporary or contract nursing roles at facilities that need coverage, rather than holding a single permanent position.

How much do agency nurses make in Canada? Agency and contract rates usually run higher than permanent staff lines, commonly from the mid $30s to the high $60s an hour in Toronto, depending on unit and shift. Benefits and pension are usually not included.

What is the difference between an agency and an on-demand marketplace? An agency assigns you to shifts. On an on-demand marketplace like Staffy, you see the shifts and choose the ones you want directly.

How do I start picking up flexible nursing shifts? Create a profile, verify your registration and standard checks, then browse and claim shifts that fit your schedule.

Whether you want agency work, marketplace shifts, or a mix with a permanent base, you can build the schedule and income that suit you. Create your profile and start picking up work on your terms.

Get started at staffy.com.