Nova Scotia starts recruiting for internal travel nurse program
Nova Scotia Launches First Internal Travel Nurse Pilot Program
Registered nurses in Nova Scotia now have the opportunity to apply for the province’s first internal travel nurse pilot program. This innovative initiative, as outlined in a recent news release, aims to establish a dedicated team of Nova Scotia Health travel nurses who can be deployed to various emergency departments across the province to address staffing shortages. Additionally, the program seeks to reduce the reliance on nurses employed by private healthcare agencies.
Premier Tim Houston expressed his support for the program, highlighting its significance in enhancing the retention of healthcare professionals within the public healthcare system. “This program is the first of its kind in the Maritimes and is intended to help retain and provide a different opportunity to those already working in our system and bring those currently working for external travel nurse agencies into our public healthcare system,” stated Premier Houston.
The pilot program is set to recruit between twenty to thirty full-time registered nurses who will receive additional compensation for their participation. Nurses selected for the team will receive a bonus of $6 per hour or 15% of their base hourly rate for all shifts worked as travel nurses.
A collaborative effort between the province, Nova Scotia Health, and the Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions, the program is slated to launch by the end of March. The inception of this initiative follows the province’s efforts to establish a provincial travel nurse program, with discussions dating back to 2024.
In conclusion, the introduction of Nova Scotia’s first internal travel nurse pilot program represents a significant step towards bolstering the healthcare workforce and addressing staffing challenges within the province’s healthcare system. This innovative approach not only provides new opportunities for registered nurses but also underscores the commitment to enhancing the quality of care for patients across Nova Scotia.
