COVID-19

As Nova Scotia’s nursing regulator, our mandate is to protect the public by supporting nurses to provide safe, competent, ethical and compassionate nursing care. We recognize the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and we are taking steps to maintain the health and safety of our staff, guests and the public. 

Scroll down this page or click on the link below for information and tools to support you during the pandemic:

As part of our collaborative efforts, we have been sharing information from our provincial and federal government partners related to the COVID-19 vaccine and other pandemic information. However, please be aware that NSCN is not responsible for the provincial vaccination program or matters related to vaccine certification, education, hiring/employment, or non-regulatory communications. 

We continue to operate within our mandate to issue licenses to qualified nurses in Nova Scotia, set the nursing practice standards, support nurses to uphold the standards, approve nursing education programs, enhance the continuing competence of nurses, and address complaints received about nursing practice.  

If you are seeking practice guidance related to COVID-19 please see our COVID-19 Practice Support Tools.

Please note:  

As of March 2022, NSCN is no longer accepting applications for emergency conditional licences. This is based on an evaluation of the public and health system needs and the number of current emergency conditional licence holders available to support the vaccine and other pandemic-related efforts. 

Since January 2021, NSCN made over 447 applicants eligible for an emergency conditional licence to temporarily return to practice during the pandemic. NSCN would like to thank all ECL holders for your continuous support of the healthcare system and assistance with the mass COVID-19 immunization of Nova Scotians.

We will continue to monitor the environment for new and/or emerging needs that may alter the availability of this process in the future. If you have any questions, please reach out to Registration Services at registration@nscn.ca.

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine program, please reach out to the Department of Health & Wellness at covid19info@novascotia.ca. 

About COVID-19

For the most current information on the virus, visit:

The Department of Health and Wellness of the Nova Scotia Government is the lead on informing the public. Please visit their website for all health-related questions.

Vaccine Information

Updated October 16. Health providers are asked to take careful note of the following changes:

  1. The schedule for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has changed:
    1. Most individuals aged 5 years and older will require only one dose of updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna XBB.1.5 or Pfizer XBB.1.5) this fall, regardless of previous immunization status, as opposed to previously needing a 2-dose primary series. However, those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised require an additional dose if they have never been immunized or have only partially completed their primary series with bivalent or original vaccines. Table 1 and 2 have been updated accordingly.
    2. Individuals aged 6 months and older who start and/or complete the primary series with an updated mRNA vaccine in fall/winter 2023/24 do not need to receive another dose 6 months later.
    3. Note: Websites will be updated in the coming days. The CANImmunize booking algorithm will also be updated to reflect these changes as soon as possible but this update will take more time. 
  2. All individuals 6 months of age and older can receive either Moderna XBB.1.5 or Pfizer XBB.1.5. There is no longer a preferential recommendation for either in any age group.
  3. Once available, the Pfizer XBB.1.5 presentation for 5 to <12 year draw up volume is now 0.3 mL (previously 0.2 mL) and this presentation does not require dilution.

​The Moderna Spikevax/Pfizer BioNtech Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Form (for downtime procedures) is available here: 
http://policy.nshealth.ca/Site_Published/covid19/document_render.aspx?documentRender.IdType=6&documentRender.GenericField=&documentRender.Id=84478

The COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Information Sheet is available here: http://policy.nshealth.ca/Site_Published/covid19/document_render.aspx?documentRender.IdType=6&documentRender.GenericField=&documentRender.Id=91481

The Pediatric 5 to 11 Years Old – Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Form (for downtime procedures) is available here: http://policy.nshealth.ca/Site_Published/covid19/document_render.aspx?documentRender.IdType=6&documentRender.GenericField=&documentRender.Id=91558

The Pediatric Vaccine Information and Aftercare Sheet is available here: http://policy.nshealth.ca/Site_Published/covid19/document_render.aspx?documentRender.IdType=6&documentRender.GenericField=&documentRender.Id=91558

For immunization providers who are administering the small supply of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for limited use:

Nova Scotia Health’s Pharmacy Department has launched the COVID-19 Vaccine Pharmacist Consult Service. This consult service is available from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, 7 days a week. You can reach this consult service by calling 1-833-768-1151. Please note if calling outside of the scheduled hours, you will be directed to call the following day. The consult service will support vaccine clinics as outlined in this overview. 

Specifically for primary care clinics, callers will be directed to a NS Health pharmacist who:

  1. May answer vaccination consent category 1-2 questions (focusing on medication-related questions)
  2. Will answer storage, stability, and administration questions
  3. Provide general vaccine information 

NOTE: Clinics can continue to consult Primary Care Providers, Specialists, Vaccination Clinical Support Physicians and Infectious Diseases (ID) as needed for any consent category questions.
 

Information for the Nova Scotian Public

Members of the public can do their part by following the direction set by our governments.

Government Direction

Preventative Measures

Nova Scotia Public Health encourages everyone to practice usual cold and flu season hygiene measures:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, then dispose of the tissue.
  • Limit contact with others when you're sick. 
  • Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
  • Do not share items that may have saliva on them, such as utensils and bottles/glasses.
  • Clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops often.

Source: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/

Click here for a resource from the Department of Health and Wellness setting out a number of available resources for people who may be looking for more information or have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Wellness at NSCN

You can visit NSCN in ways that make you feel comfortable, and we ask that you consider the different comfort levels, health risks, and health needs of everyone around you.

  • Masks are highly encouraged and free masks are available for you so just ask us! In return, we ask that you please respect others’ decisions around masking as well.
  • Some individuals need a little more distance. Please be mindful of those around you and respect their personal space.
  • It’s important to wash or sanitize your hands frequently. We have sanitizer available.
  • Please cough or sneeze into your elbow or tissue.
  • NSCN offers a multitude of ways you can engage with us for the support you require. In addition to in-person meetings, we also offer virtual appointments and are happy to provide you with the information you’re looking for via phone call, email or conference call.

Please be sure to check the Nova Scotia Government’s website for the most up-to-date information.

In the spirit of collaboration, other regulatory bodies are permitted to adapt the material on this page. We ask that you add the following disclaimer to any adapted materials: “Adapted by the Nova Scotia College of Nursing”.