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Nova Scotia Launches Free Tuition for Accelerated LPN Program in Continuing Care

Nova Scotia offers full tuition coverage for a new accelerated practical nursing program, training future LPNs to work in continuing care. Learn how to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Province to Cover Full Tuition for New Accelerated Nursing Program

Nova Scotia is making it easier for individuals to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the continuing care sector through a new pilot program that covers the full cost of tuition and books. The program aims to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals while providing an expedited path for future nurses to enter the workforce.

Key Details of the LPN Program

• Free Tuition and Books: The province will cover the entire cost of tuition and books for 30 students enrolled in this accelerated 18-month practical nursing program at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Ivany campus in Dartmouth.
• Eligibility: To qualify, students must agree to work in continuing care in Nova Scotia for two years after graduation.
• Program Timeline: Classes will run from January 2025 to June 2026, in the afternoons and evenings, allowing students to complete the course six months faster than a traditional two-year diploma program.
• Work Placement: Students will gain hands-on experience by working one to two shifts a month in continuing care settings while they study.

A Strategic Investment in Nova Scotia’s Healthcare Future

This initiative is part of the province’s broader strategy to meet the growing demand for long-term care facilities. Nova Scotia plans to build and replace 5,700 long-term care rooms by 2032, including 2,000 new spaces that will provide more care for seniors and additional job opportunities in healthcare.

Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Barbara Adams, emphasized the program’s importance, stating, “A paid-for, fast-track program is a compelling opportunity for nurses beginning their careers.”

What Students Can Expect

Graduates of the program will be prepared to sit for the Licensed Practical Nurse exam and, upon successful completion, will be eligible to start working in the province’s expanding continuing care sector. In addition, Health Association Nova Scotia will help students find work placements during their studies, ensuring they are ready for employment as soon as they finish their coursework.

Quotes from Key Stakeholders

• Don Bureaux, President of Nova Scotia Community College: “We are pleased to work with the government to help increase the number of professionals wanting to dedicate their talent within this caring sector.”
• Sheila Frampton, Licensed Practical Nurse at Melville Gardens: “Working in the continuing care sector is an honourable, rewarding, and challenging career. This pilot will provide education and training opportunities to students participating so they can learn new skills and serve in the sector.”

How to Apply

Students will be accepted into the program based on NSCC’s current admission requirements. Those who successfully complete the program will be eligible to take the Licensed Practical Nurse exam and start working in continuing care.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit NSCC Practical Nursing Program.