The head of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union says requiring nurses to pay for a criminal-background check is one more obstacle to keeping them in the province.
“They’re coming out of university with huge amounts of debt and other provinces are offering relocation allowances, signing bonuses and higher wages,” said union president Janet Hazelton.
The College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia recently announced that starting in August, people seeking registration and a licence to practise nursing are required to provide a criminal-record check which costs $30.
Hazelton said asking new nurses if they have any criminal convictions should be enough.
College executive director Linda Hamilton said the measure is to protect the public.
An honour system is already in place for registered nurses to report any criminal offences when they renew their registration each year.
Hamilton added that the college chose a company that does checks for the lowest possible cost.
