Some bonus money for nurses is helping increase staffing levels and hard to fill positions at hospitals in our province.
Nearly 150 nurses have signed on to return to work after the government offered a $10,000 incentive.
The returning nurses represent more than 270,000 hours a year of direct care for thousands of patients. According to the Department of Health, because of this initiative 34 hard-to-fill positions – those posted for at least 90 days – are now staffed.
Minister Michelle Thompson says investing in nurses means better care for residents.
“When we invest in nurses, we are investing in better care for Nova Scotians,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “We have been clear with nurses – we need you, and we want to work with you. We know there is more to do to improve healthcare. Nurses have other great ideas to improve their workplaces, and we will work with them to make changes.”
The $10,000 incentive was recently offered to nurses if they agreed to come back to a permanent position in the publicly funded system and signed a two-year return of service agreement by March 31. They began work in April.
The incentive is prorated if the position is less than full time. For example, a nurse who took a 50 per cent position is eligible for half the bonus.
To receive the bonus money, nurses must agree to work for at least two years.
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