Emergency conditional licences (ECL) were granted to individuals in Nova Scotia as a way to provide relief and support to the health care system during the global pandemic. In 2021, we issued two different types of emergency conditional licences to nurses:
- Emergency conditional licence without restrictions
- Emergency conditional licence with restrictions
What practice setting is appropriate for each type of ECL?
It depends.
Nurses who hold emergency conditional licence without restrictions, are not restricted to practicing in any specific practice area. Nurses who hold this licence are required to be competent in wherever they work and ensuring that employers are clear about their skillset and any additional supports required before accepting an assignment.
Nurses who hold emergency conditional licence with restrictions, are restricted to practicing in the following settings only:
- COVID-19 vaccination and/or assessment clinics
- Contact tracing
- Client follow up
- Other COVID-19 support roles that do not require direct client care beyond that usually provided in a clinic, contact tracing or support role.
How long is my emergency conditional licence good for?
All emergency conditional licences (those with restrictions and those without restrictions) expire on April 30, 2022.
What additional information should ECL holders know?
- You may identify yourself using the appropriate designation title: LPN, RN or NP.
- You must practise nursing within the scope of your designation and your individual capacity.
- Your name and licence status is visible in our Search for a Nurse on our website.
- You are accountable to negotiate an orientation to your place of work with your employer. The depth and breadth of your orientation will depend on how long you have been away from practice.
- You are expected to meet the Standards of Practice and comply with the Code of Ethics for your specific designation.
- If you are hired into a position where administering COVID vaccines is required, you are accountable to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and judgment (competence) to do this safely.
- NSCN does not provide vaccine education or “certifications” as this falls within the role of the employer, you must ensure you receive the necessary COVID-19 vaccine education to enable safe and competent practice.
- NSCN is available to provide practice support. Please visit our website for more information.
- Stay informed about all COVID-19 Information and updates here.
Where do I go if I still have questions?
We are here to help. Please reach out to us at registration@nscn.ca with any questions you may have.
