
Simply weeks after introducing accelerated licensing for out-of-provincial nurses and a few international nurses, the Nova Scotia Faculty of Nursing says it has obtained greater than 10,700 functions.
Compared, about 280 worldwide functions have been filed final yr, greater than within the earlier three years mixed.
“That doesn’t robotically imply 10,000 nurses, but it surely actually interprets into numerous nurses,” mentioned Nova Scotia Faculty of Nursing CEO and Registrar Sue Smith.
Working with key companions such because the Well being Authority, the Well being Care Professionals Recruitment Workplace, Immigration and others, a global job power of nurses is engaged on recruitment and retention.
That is the place NICHE, Nova Scotia’s worldwide healthcare neighborhood program, is available in.
“It is not nearly attracting professionals, it is about serving to them keep,” mentioned Tara Sampalli, senior director at Nova Scotia Well being, who works on NICHE.
“That is the place we create a welcoming neighborhood. It is not nearly housing, it is also about meals. And the kind of meals individuals wish to see. So, it is actually huge considering, and it is thrilling. It is also scary.”
Due to the worldwide curiosity generated by this primary program in Canada, different provinces are following swimsuit.
Alberta began shortly after us, very comparable. They might add a few different international locations based mostly on their expertise,” Smith mentioned. “And we all know that British Columbia, we all know that a few of our different Atlantic provinces are wanting into this and we’re so excited to share our info, our insurance policies, our procedures and the way we bought right here.”
Nova Scotia Nursing Union President Janet Hazelton, although promising, says there are adjustment challenges to contemplate.
“They are going to require our nurses to orient them, adapt and get used to their function right here in Nova Scotia,” Hazelton mentioned. “It is going to require important effort, however it isn’t insurmountable.”

Nurse mentors corresponding to Younis Ojeabulu play an essential function on this.
“To start with, you will need to create the fitting surroundings,” mentioned the registered nurse. “The best surroundings in society, the fitting surroundings within the office. For individuals to really feel protected, for them to really feel welcome, it is essential that they keep.”
Ojeabulu is initially from Nigeria and might talk with many candidates, most of whom are presently making use of from Nigeria, adopted by the Philippines and India.
“We’re doing courses on Zoom, and I do know that Younis and lots of nurse mentors have teams on WhatsApp and different teams the place they proceed to encourage and assist,” Sampalli mentioned.
If these candidates do arrive and keep within the province, they may present a lot wanted help.
“As palms go up on board, this shall be a giant reduction for individuals who wish to go on trip, for individuals who even assume they wish to retire however haven’t been capable of retire,” Ojeabulu mentioned.
Hazelton says nurses in Nova Scotia are happy to have an answer in sight.
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