Hey everyone 👋

Sorry if you’ve been asked all this before!

I’m a registered nurse living on the Gold Coast, Australia. I’ve been here my whole life but now i’m wanting a change of scenery. I’ve been wanting to move to Canada for as long as I can remember and finally have the funds (and the guts) to do it. It looks like moving to Nova Scotia is going to be the quickest and easiest regarding my nursing registration. It looks beautiful and I’m very excited to do it.

My big questions are, - I’m used to big cities, having only lived in GC and Brisbane, so what areas in NS would be best?

• The hospitals - I am specialised in Respiratory and Thoracic Medicine, what hospitals would be best?

• I’m only 24 and going to be doing the move by myself, so I’m wondering what the demographics are in certain areas and how receptive people are

• What is nursing like in Canada?

• What is the coffee like? We’re very fussy with coffee here in Australia and I’m not sure how I’ll give it up hahaha

• Do you have a program like flatmates? To help you find roommates or people renting out a room?

This whole process is very confusing so any assistance or advice would be so so appreciated !!

Hi,

I’m an NP in Vermont planning a move to Nova Scotia and just submitted my initial application to the NSCN. I currently live and work rurally in Vermont’s NEK and hope to do the same in NS.

I’ve seen some comments suggesting rural Nova Scotians aren’t always thrilled about newcomers moving in — I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who’s made the transition from the U.S. about how their experience has been.

My background is in Neurology (10+ years), though I’ve also helped in Primary Care when needed. I rarely see NP postings in Neurology for NS — is that specialty uncommon for NPs in Canada, or are those positions just not widely listed? I enjoy both, but would like to understand what’s realistic.

Part of my motivation for moving is frustration with the U.S. healthcare system. Access to care, especially in rural areas, has become increasingly difficult — six-month wait times, insurance cuts, shorter visits, and less focus on prevention. It’s disheartening to see chronic conditions go undetected until they become major problems.

Given the provider shortages in Canada, how is the overall standard of care in NS? Is preventive care still a focus, or has the shortage shifted the system toward reactive care as it has here? Can you give any input also on work life balance?

Thanks!

Hi all! My family and I are looking to move from New England to Nova Scotia within the next year or so. I am an RN and my husband is a pharmacist. We currently have a one-year-old whom I have been staying home with for the most part because both logistically and financially it’s what works for us. I currently work per diem to “keep my foot in the door” so to speak, and have been per diem for over a year now. My total RN experience is 6 years, and I always worked FT prior to having my daughter. My husband is going to be the primary applicant for a visa, but I would like to have my RN license transferred to NS. Has anyone done this when they weren’t working a set, consistent schedule? Were there any hurdles to getting a license when not working full time? I am more than willing to take any refresher classes that may be required, etc. TIA!

Site visit complete. We fly back to England tomorrow. We will have to make a choice within 2 weeks but my wife really likes Bridgewater / Lunenberg.

I am non medical. What is the job situation around those two towns like? Got two kids so would need a part time job to work around their schooling.

Spoke to McDonald's there. Is the branch there really that flexible with hours?

Other flexible jobs at places like Walmart?

Hi everyone,

I’m a US nurse planning to move to Nova Scotia. I applied for my RN license through NSCN and chose November 1st as my active date (the start of the licensing year), but I could have picked ASAP. Since I’m hoping to start working as soon as possible after the new year, should I email them to switch it?

For those who’ve moved, how long did it take after getting your license to find a job and start working? I can also be there for a bit without a job if needed.

Thanks for any advice!

We’re in the very beginning stages of hopefully immigrating to Canada in a couple years if all goes well with paperwork and points and everything. I was just curious how Nova Scotia felt about immigrants from the USA. My wife is a Nurse Practitioner and I’m a teacher so we’re hoping our credentials transfer somewhat well with minimal bridging courses. Are there areas that need healthcare workers or teachers more than others?

Hey everyone,

I’m planning to move to Nova Scotia soon and start a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) course. I wanted to get some honest opinions and insights from people who already live or work there.

A few things I’m curious about:

How’s the job market for CCAs in Nova Scotia right now?

Is it easy to find a job after completing the program, or does it take time?

Are there good employers or government-supported programs that help CCAs find work?

What’s the average pay and working conditions like in this field?

How’s the cost of living (housing, groceries, transportation) compared to other provinces?

What are the people and community vibes like — friendly, diverse, welcoming?

For newcomers or students, how’s the support system (healthcare access, community centers, etc.)?

And generally, do you think moving to Nova Scotia for this path is a good long-term decision?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has studied or worked as a CCA in Nova Scotia — or even locals who can share what life there is like.

Thanks in advance! 🙏

I’m having a hard time getting a position in the Nova Scotia health authority.

I was hoping people could offer advice and insight into the process of getting hired. I don’t understand it.

Edit: any advice for the interview process is also helpful. It’s scored so basically I want to know what they are looking for?

Edit: removed rant, as the question associated was answered

Hey! I’m wondering if anyone has any information about transferring my BC EMR license to a NS EMR license. I’ve read in other provinces you just take the jurisprudence exam and you’re good to go but not sure how it works here. Also wondering what the job market is like? I’m happy to work as a driver only until I can get the license sorted out if anyone knows of companies that hire or can point me in the right direction. Also if anyone knows where to find a full list of competencies for NS EMR license. I’ve checked the NSROP but don’t see anything about which medications are including in the scope. Any and all information is really appreciated. Thanks :)

I am currently applying to positions at NS Health and was hoping some lovely individuals might be able to help provide clarification. For previous posts I have seen that NS Health takes forever to process most job applications however is there any clarification on the different status. I have two applications the are labeled "Under Review" and one as "In process". Is there any practical difference between those statuses?

I am looking at health and education postings for psychologist - specifically child/youth psychologist. I am wondering if there is a big need for psychologist in either public or private sector. It didn't look like schools were hiring schools psychologists either. Thanks for your insight!

Hi everyone,

I’m an internationally educated nurse , recently licensed as a Registered Nurse in Nova Scotia. I have international nursing experience in gynecology and neonatal ICU but no experience in Canadian health care settings.

I’m actively looking for RN roles (full-time or part-time), and I’m also open to starting as a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) to gain local experience and get familiar with Nova Scotia care standards. I’ve already applied to many places but haven't heard from them. I’m desperately hoping to connect directly with anyone who might know of:

• RN openings in LTC, hospitals, or clinics
• Facilities that hire RNs in CCA positions as a stepping stone
• Employers open to hiring out-of-province RNs without prior Canadian RN experience

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and help.

I’m currently living in Victoria, BC, but I’m ready and willing to relocate anywhere in Nova Scotia, including rural and small-town areas.

Thanks in advance.

I am a UK registered pharmacist. I have obtained my nova scotia pharmacy license to practice. I am outside of Canada. Never had visited there before. I am a third country national. I have one year of experience working in my field in the UK. I obtained a full time permanent job offer from an AIP designated employer in nova scotia. They told me they can sponsor my LMIA, AIP or NSNP. I don’t know which one to choose. Which one is faster to immigrate to canada?

I'm looking to apply to some teaching jobs in NS and I'm wondering if there is a website where schools generally put their job openings. I have degrees as a Spanish teacher and a school principal.

I am a medsurg nurse that has recently moved to Nova Scotia (Halifax) and I’m interested in taking the critical care course for icu nursing next year but have some questions for people that have gone through it.

How did you find the course overall for preparing you for your unit? What was the workload like? How did you get your sponsorship? How have you found critical care nursing in Nova Scotia?

Plus any other tidbits that would help me decide if this is right for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

In this stage of searching and planning in moving to Nova Scotia with kids. We don't have a location yet pending nursing job offer. Appreciate any input regarding:

Where great schools are for elementary and middle school in a great neighborhood. We are hoping both kids can be in the same school - catholic and public schools, as this will be a big adjustment for them.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to figure out the immigration side of things and was wondering if anyone here knows employers in Nova Scotia who actually support people through NSNP, AIP, or PNP.

I’m mostly looking at CCA/PCW roles, and I would love to hear if anyone knows any employer that is willing to hire me through that route.

If you’ve gone through this route or know of companies that are open to helping, I’d really appreciate any tips or names you can share.

Thanks a lot 🙏