In 2023, Nova Scotia also introduced a fast-tracked route for international nurses. This new program is a welcome step to address the province’s pressing nursing shortage. She explains how the Nurses for America initiative generated unexpected interest, with more than 30,000 applications flooding in from nurses around the globe. Almost one-third of all approved candidates never actually arrived to work in the province. This should raise deep existential concern over the efficacy of our current recruitment strategies.
The Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) originally aimed to attract 500 applicants for the accelerated program. The unprecedented scale of applications required the hiring of 30 new staff just to process applications and stay ahead of the rush. Yet by January, mounting opposition caused the college to suspend the expedited system. They expressed a desire to reexamine its capabilities and accountability to provide safety and quality control under the licensing process.
Recruitment Efforts and Application Surge
The NSCN’s expedited licensing program was designed to attract qualified nurses to combat the province’s current shortage, with approximately 1,000 vacancies reported. However, despite this attempt few successful NPs applicants ended up making the move to become a part of Nova Scotia’s healthcare fabric.
Meanwhile the NSCN is unabashedly persisting with its counter recruitment campaign. They will only allow an estimated 6,000 applicants to be approved—roughly one-fifth of the people who initially applied. In the two months since the program’s suspension in January, Nova Scotia has done a lot. So far, they’re on track to welcome 15 registered nurses and three nurse practitioners from the United States.
Janet Hazelton, president of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, endorses the program. She agrees that more needs to be done to recruit American nurses.
“I’ve gotten emails from several nurses from the U.S. that want to move here … apparently they’re having issues with their leadership,” – Janet Hazelton
She further stated, “We have a thousand vacancies, so there are jobs.” Hazelton called on the health minister to do more to encourage hiring from the U.S.
The Pause and Its Implications
Rather, the NSCN chose to halt the accelerated licencing process. It provides them the time to evaluate the program’s impact and ensure safety measures are being followed. Douglas Bungay, CEO and registrar of the NSCN, recognized these challenges in his statement about being buried with applicants.
“Once we have a completed application and we have all the documentation we need, we can license someone within very short order,” – Douglas Bungay
Bungay took particular care to reassure applicants that his team is still fully committed to expediting applications that are flagged by employers. It’s a more efficient path for individuals who already have a job offer in Nova Scotia.
Hazelton approves of the move to hit pause on the program and take stock. She felt strongly about the need to audit and actively address any biases that may already be present within a recruitment structure.
“There is a need, we just need to figure out what the problem is and fix it,” – Janet Hazelton
A Vision for the Future
Even with the long road ahead, there is hope for Nova Scotia’s recruitment initiatives. Both Hazelton and Bungay have advocated the province as a great place to recruit healthcare workers to.
Bungay highlighted Nova Scotia’s appeal, stating, “Nova Scotia is a cool place and you should come.” He expressed confidence that with continuous improvement in the application process, more American nurses can be welcomed into the province’s healthcare system.
Haazelton insisted on this point with gusto. He recommended that bringing additional nurses from the U.S., one, two or eventually hundreds should be made easier and quicker. She further stressed that no nurse who wants to help out should have to wait months for their license to be processed.
