Watson Lake Community Hospital in the Yukon is actively looking to fill two full-time registered nursing jobs, with hourly pay ranging from $49.73 to $66.42 and a potential sign-on bonus. The postings, which went up on July 2 and closed at 4:00 p.m. on July 16, 2026, show the ongoing need for healthcare workers in this community of about 1,480 residents along the Alaska Highway.
The Yukon Hospital Corporation, which runs three hospitals in the territory, is offering a package that includes a Yukon bonus, a pension, full benefits, a relocation allowance, and subsidized housing in Watson Lake to attract candidates. “We also have fully furnished and subsidized accommodation in both Dawson City and Watson Lake to assist new employees and itinerant health care providers at the community hospitals,” the corporation says.
The jobs require a nursing diploma or degree, current registration with the Yukon Registered Nurses Association, CPR certification, a valid Yukon driver’s licence, a non-violent crisis intervention certificate, and two to three years of acute care experience. Emergency nursing experience is an asset. The six-bed hospital provides 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and ambulatory care, and lab and diagnostic imaging.
Recruiting nurses for remote northern hospitals is a longstanding challenge, but the Yukon has made some headway. The nursing vacancy rate at the hospital corporation fell from 20.4 per cent in 2023 to 8.1 per cent in 2024, and the Government of Yukon extended high-value recruitment and retention programs through March 31, 2027. Since December 1, 2022, the Department of Health and Social Services has recruited 60 nurses, including 44 registered nurses and 16 licensed practical nurses.
The hospital corporation also has an Indigenous workforce initiative. Applicants who identify as Indigenous can get help with applications, training information, and mentorship through an Indigenous Engagement Advisor.
