Houston Promises A Job To Every Nursing Grad Until 2026
HALIFAX–A job for every nurse. That’s the promise from Nova Scotia’s new Progressive Conservative government.
Premier Tim Houston announced Thursday every nurse graduating in the province for the next five years will be offered a job with Nova Scotia Health, the IWK, or the continuing care sector.
Houston said he was dissapointed to hear news last week that recrutiers from British Columbia were meeting with Nova Scotia nursing grads and offering them bonuses “while some students felt they didn’t get the same treatment from local recruiters.”
“Nursing students will not be taken for granted by this government,” Houston said. “They don’t need to go to B.C. or anywhere else to find work. Talented nurses will walk out of school here in Nova Scotia and be able to start their careers right away.”
Houston said employment will be guaranteed to every nursing graduate who wants a job in Nova Scotia until 2026.
Each year, Nova Scotia graduates about 700 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
Opposition leaders remain skeptical of Houston’s plan.
Liberal Leader Iain Rankin said it’s nothing new and that the former Liberal government had already made strides on nursing retention. NDP Leader Gary Burril, meanwhile, said it doesn’t do anything to fix poor working conditions pushing nurses out of the field now.
Jack Morse is reporter with CKHZ 103.5 in Halifax, a Huddle content partner.
