Education Program Approval

The Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) is responsible for approving nursing education programs in the province. This process helps ensure that nursing graduates have been properly educated and prepared to provide safe, competent, ethical and compassionate care for the nursing designation for which they plan to register and license. This is one of the ways that we meet our mandate of public protection.

NSCN’s Education Program Approval Committee (EPAC) is composed of nurses and public representatives. The committee’s role is to advise and make recommendations to the NSCN Board with respect to:

1. Establishing standards for education programs and re-entry programs.
2. Approving, conditionally approving, denying or withdrawing approval for education programs.
3. Assessing compliance with education standards at times approved by the Board.

A new education program approval framework and new standards were introduced in January 2026. The new framework is the outcome of a comprehensive review of evidence and feedback, received through consultation in 2025 with Nova Scotia schools of nursing. The new framework is based on the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Program Approval Framework and reflects a modern approach in the Nova Scotia context.

Education Program Approval Documents and Resources

• NSCN Education Standards for Nova Scotia Nursing Programs (PDF)
• Nursing Education Program Approval Guide: Non-CASN Approved Nursing Programs (PDF)

Approved Nursing Programs

The following are education programs in Nova Scotia approved by NSCN: