A new report from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) shows more than 1,600 registered nurses and nurse practitioners in the province worked for private nursing agencies in 2024, accounting for over 10% of Manitoba’s nursing workforce.

The College’s analysis, released Sept. 4, highlights an ongoing shift in the profession as agency nursing, once used mainly for temporary shortages, has become a growing part of Manitoba’s healthcare system. Together, agency nurses logged nearly 920,000 hours last year, equivalent to 456 full-time positions.

“This isn’t new. Agency nurses have long helped fill gaps in hospitals and long-term care,” said Deb Elias, CRNM CEO and registrar. “But the dramatic increase since the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning. Patient safety and system sustaina

See Full Page