No Halifax positions for new grad RNs.
Nova Scotia’s promise of jobs for all nursing graduates is giving a misleading impression of the actual opportunities available. Yes, some new grads have secured positions in Halifax and Dartmouth, but many others are being offered jobs in rural communities hours away (Tatamagouche, Pugwash, Inverness).
Many graduates can find work in the Halifax area. This also affects Nova Scotians who left the province to attend nursing school and now can’t find local jobs to return home to.
Meanwhile, other provinces are actively recruiting new RNs and offering significantly better pay. Nova Scotia increased university nursing seats, yet the government’s standing offer to hire all nursing graduates ended this year.
How does it make sense to train more nurses while graduates are struggling to find jobs in the communities where they want to live and work?