Nova Scotia Announces First Nursing Strategy

New education initiatives for practising nurses and relocation allowances for nurses coming to work in Nova Scotia are among the benefits aimed at recruitment and retention this year as the province rolls out its very first nursing strategy.

Health Minister Jamie Muir announced the details of Nova Scotia’s nursing strategy at a news conference today.

"This strategy is a start," said Mr. Muir. "It is the first time we have taken a comprehensive, overall approach, based on the direct input and advice of nurses across Nova Scotia."

"Nurses are a vital part of Nova Scotia’s health-care system and a strategy to attract and keep them is needed if the province is to continue to deliver quality, sustainable health care," said Mr. Muir.

The $5 million strategy focuses on four key areas -- support to practising nurses, support to student nurses, enhancement of recruitment resources, and development and utilization of the nursing work force.

The majority of the funding will provide educational opportunities for practising nurses to keep their skills up-to-date with advancing technologies and treatments. A province-wide funded orientation will help nurses in new positions integrate into the workplace, and new and enhanced education programs will prepare nurses to meet the growing demand for specialty nursing in areas such as emergency, oncology, and palliative care. The recently announced co-operative learning experience will continue to give student nurses valuable on-the-job training and much-needed assistance with their debt load. This will result in reduced orientation costs and an increased likelihood that new graduates will remain in the province to work.

The strategy addresses the need for better recruitment resources. A relocation allowance for nurses moving to Nova Scotia to work and an enhanced marketing and communications strategy will help attract new nurses to the province, while efforts will be made to entice more young people to enter the nursing profession.

Funding will also be used to keep nurses in Nova Scotia by addressing work life issues. Nurses want to work in settings that offer professional satisfaction, where they can make full use of skills and training. Employers will be supported in utilizing the full scope of practice of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, and in developing innovative approaches to scheduling. Programs such as the Practice Environment Collaboration Program will help employers identify the qualities that contribute to a positive work environment and gather information to make informed decisions.

Nova Scotia’s nursing strategy was developed by the nursing policy advisor, in consultation with the Provincial Nursing Network, which consists of Department of Health staff, employers, educators, professional associations and unions. It is based on extensive consultation with nurses, literature review, research and a series of reports including Nursing in Nova Scotia: Strengthening the Foundation and The Nursing Strategy for Canada.

Janet MacLean, a practising nurse at the IWK Grace Health Centre and a member of the Provincial Nursing Network, is enthusiastic, and said the strategy is a positive step for nursing in Nova Scotia.

"It’s a strategy developed by nurses, for nurses. Now we will continue our work to give the strategy life in the hands of front-line nurses across the province."

The Department of Health will manage some aspects of the strategy, and will work with employers in the district health authorities to implement others, such as education initiatives.

"This strategy took time to develop because it was very collaborative and involved a lot of information gathering," said Barb Oke, Nova Scotia’s nursing policy advisor and another member of the Provincial Nursing Network. "I think of it as moving from anecdote, to evidence and now, to action."

The strategy adds to a list of related nursing initiatives already introduced over the past year and a half. These include:

• hiring a nursing policy adviser;
• forming the Provincial Nursing Network;
• creating over 150 permanent full and part-time positions through casual conversions;
• expanding the number of baccalaureate seats in nursing schools;
• creating a Nursing Student Bursary Program for students in their graduating year;
• assisting licensed practical nurses with their refresher course or pharmacy upgrade;
• introducing a co-operative education experience for student nurses;
• launching a provincial nursing recruitment Web site; and
• attending major nursing job fairs.

"Much has been done, and we know we still have more to do," said Mr. Muir. "I am optimistic that this strategy will help us begin to rebuild our nursing work force in Nova Scotia."

Mr. Muir thanked the Provincial Nursing Network and the various groups for their tremendous co-operation and support in developing the strategy. Nova Scotia’s nursing strategy is available at www.gov.ns.ca/health .