You work three 12-hour shifts one week, four the next, pick up extra at a second hospital when it's available, and your income varies by $2,000-$4,000 per month depending on scheduling. As a part-time or casual nurse, you know you earn good money — but proving it to a mortgage lender is another story. The biggest challenge isn't your income level. It's the inconsistency. Lenders want predictable, stable numbers, and casual nursing schedules don't always fit that mould. Part-Time vs. Casual: Why It Matters for Mortgages Part-time (0.5-0.8 FTE): You have a guaranteed minimum number of hours. Lenders treat this similarly to full-time — your base is calculated at your contracted FTE, and additional hours worked above that are treated as overtime (requiring 2-year history). Casual/Per Diem: No guaranteed hours. You pick up shifts as available. Lenders treat this as variable income, requiring a 2-year average of your T4s to establish a qualifying income. Documentation Required Full-time (1.0 FTE) Base salary at hourly rate × 1950 hours Employment letter + recent pay stub Part-time (0.5-0.8 FTE) FTE × base salary + OT averaging Employment letter + 2 T4s Casual/Per Diem 2-year T4 average 2 T4s + employment letter + 3 pay stubs Multiple employers Sum of all 2-year T4 averages T4s from each employer + letters Complete nurse mortgage guide Working at Multiple Hospitals Many part-time and casual nurses work at 2 or even 3 hospitals. Each employer issues a separate T4, and lenders will combine them — but the process requires more documentation. What you'll need: T4s from every employer for the past 2 years Employment letters from each current employer confirming your status Recent pay stubs from each position Common problem: If you recently started at a second hospital, lenders may not include that income until you have a full year of T4 history. Plan accordingly. Strategies for Part-Time and Casual Nurses Time your application: Apply after you have 2 full years of T4s that reflect your current earning pattern Get a co-borrower: A spouse or partner's stable income can anchor the application while your nursing income provides the additional capacity Consider converting to permanent part-time: Even a 0.6 FTE contract gives you a guaranteed base that lenders can use immediately Use a B-lender for 1-year history: If you only have 1 year of T4s, some alternative lenders will qualify you with stated income documentation First-time buyer resources Part-Time Income, Full-Time Dreams We help part-time and casual nurses qualify every day. Let us find the right lender for your situation. Start Your Application → Ready to Get Started? Contact us today for personalized mortgage advice and competitive rates. Get Pre-Approved Call (416) 822-7357
