Despite pausing international program, N.S. fast-tracking U.S. nurse licences

At the recent annual general meeting of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, president Janet Hazelton made a lighthearted comment that sparked some serious questions about the recruitment of American nurses. Hazelton jokingly encouraged the health minister to consider hiring American nurses who were interested in moving to Canada due to issues with leadership in the United States. This playful banter highlighted a pressing issue: why did Nova Scotia pause its fast-track licensing program for international nurses just when American nurses were considering a move north?

Despite the pause in the fast-track system, the Nova Scotia College of Nursing reassures the public that the door for American nurses is still wide open. The college’s CEO and registrar, Douglas Bungay, emphasized that they are committed to expediting applications from American nurses who have job offers in Nova Scotia. In fact, Nova Scotia Health has already hired 15 registered nurses and three nurse practitioners from the U.S. since January, and their recruitment efforts are gaining momentum.

The decision to pause the fast-track program, which aimed to process international license applications within 30 days, was made after an overwhelming response. Bungay revealed that they received over 30,000 applications from international nurses, far surpassing their initial goal of 500. The college had to hire 30 additional staff to process the applications, but challenges arose as some nurses did not end up working in the province due to various factors like immigration issues.

After pausing new applications, the college focused on clearing the backlog and expects to approve around 6,000 applications out of the original 30,000. This reassessment was necessary to ensure safety and quality control in the expedited licensing process. Hazelton, while supportive of the pause, emphasized the need for clear pathways for American nurses to come to Nova Scotia, especially Canadian nurses looking to return home.

Bungay echoed this sentiment, stating that his office is dedicated to expediting the licensing process for qualified nurses. The goal is to streamline the process so that nurses can start practicing in Nova Scotia efficiently. As the province faces a significant shortage of nurses, attracting American candidates could help alleviate the strain on the healthcare system.

In conclusion, the recruitment of American nurses to Nova Scotia remains a priority, and efforts are being made to facilitate their transition into the healthcare system. By addressing the challenges in the licensing process and providing clear guidance to potential candidates, Nova Scotia aims to welcome more qualified nurses from the U.S. to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the province.