Half of Nova Scotia’s recent nursing graduates accept jobs in the province
Posted Jun 2, 2022 07:30:00 PM.
Hundreds of recent nursing graduates will soon will soon start working in the province.
Last fall, the provincial government guaranteed jobs for all nurses graduating from universities and community colleges in Nova Scotia.
On Thursday, the province said about half have already taken advantage of the offer.
More than 350 registered and licensed practical nurses have either already started working or have accepted an offer with Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health. About 700 graduate every year.
NSGEU's president called this a “good first step” but said Nova Scotia is still in “dire need” of more nurses.
“Even if every one of these graduates started tomorrow, according to Nova Scotia Health's own numbers, they would still be well over 1,000 vacancies,” Sandra Mullen said in a news release.
“Our nurses are exhausted, and they tell their managers and the union every day that they fear for the quality of care they are able to deliver to patients because they are so short staffed.”
Speaking with reporters Thursday, Premier Tim Houston said his team happy with the results so far, but acknowledged more work needs to be done.
“There are lots of vacancies to be filled,” he said. “We'll continue to look for ways to fill those vacancies and support those working in health care in this province to make sure Nova Scotians have access.”
The province says hiring continues and it expects the number of recent grads signing up for jobs here to rise.
