The Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) Board is the governing body responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring that NSCN meets its mandate of public protection by overseeing the practice of nursing in Nova Scotia. The Board consists of members of the public appointed by government and registrants elected by the nursing profession.
The NSCN Nominating Committee is seeking one qualified registrant to sit on the Board and help regulate the practice of nursing in the public’s interest. Between February 28, 2023 and March 28, 2023, registrants who wish to serve for a three-year term are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please review the following information and submit a completed application (including your cover letter and resume) by email to nominations@nscn.ca by 1 p.m. on March 28. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Marie-Claude Geddry at MarieClaude.Geddry@nscn.ca.
Five Reasons to Apply
- Unique way to participate in public protection
- Contribute to the vision and strategic direction of NSCN
- Opportunity to lead and positively impact the nursing profession
- Position speaks to my competencies, skills and/or attributes
- Chance to learn more about self-regulation in the public’s interest
Preparing for the Application
The Nominating Committee is seeking one qualified registrant to sit on the Board and positively contribute to NSCN’s governance.
The NSCN Board is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment, and encourages applications from all candidates who would contribute to the diversification of our organization.
The Nominating Committee has determined that the following designations are assets but not requirements to fill the current vacancy on the Board:
- LPN designation; or
- NP designation
The NSCN Board Composition Matrix, attached to the application, outlines the competencies, skills and attributes that the NSCN Board, as a whole, seeks to encompass. Do not be discouraged if you only have experience in a couple of these areas - not every Board member is required to possess all of the competencies, skills or attributes, nor does the Board seek to have each competency, skill or attribute represented equally. The goal of the Board is to achieve balance and reflect diversity in its composition. You are required to provide examples of how you meet competencies, skills and/or attributes as part of the application.
Board members serve in a volunteer capacity. To recognize Board members’ time and service to the public, they are provided a modest honorarium and compensation of expenses to attend the meetings. The Board meets for two consecutive days (or 16 hours) during each quarter (typically in February, April, September and early December). Board members also spend time preparing in advance of each meeting at their discretion. Meetings occur in-person at the NSCN office in Bedford or virtually.
The Board’s policies can be found here.
Please use current or previous examples from:
- Board experience;
- Work experience; and/or
- Volunteer experience,
This experience could be through nursing, or non-nursing, organizations.
As a regulator, the Board governs using a competency-based model, which identifies the competencies, skills and attributes required on the Board. The Nominating Committee seeks candidates who possess these same competencies, skills and attributes in order to have a Board that is best able to represent the public interest. This is different from a traditional association model where Board members represent specific registrant groups, geographical areas or practice settings. Since all Board members are required to represent the public’s interest, this model incorporates best practice, reflects the Board’s accountability to the public, and recognizes that the Board functions best when there are individuals with diverse competencies, skills and attributes.
All registrants are required to complete the following application form. Registrants will also be required to submit:
- Cover Letter & Resume that describes your current or previous board experience, other applicable work or volunteer experience, and examples of how you meet the NSCN Board competencies and skills outlined in the Composition Matrix.
- Board Composition Matrix Self-Assessment, which includes self-assessment of the competencies, skills and attributes that the NSCN Board, as a whole, seeks to encompass. Please note: this self-assessment is part of the application form.
If you have any questions on submission requirements, please contact Marie-Claude Geddry at MarieClaude.Geddry@nscn.ca.
Starting the Application
Nurses are encouraged and eligible to apply if you are:
- In good standing with NSCN;
- Are able to contribute to the NSCN Board’s competencies, skills and attributes; and
- Hold a practising licence or a conditional licence with no conditions restricting you from serving on the Board.
Please see Section 2: Eligibility to be Nominated on the application form to ensure you meet the criteria outlined in By-Law 10C and additional criteria passed by the Board to be eligible to be nominated as an NSCN Board member.
To apply, complete the application form and submit it by March 28 at 1 p.m., along with your cover letter and resume, by email to nominations@nscn.ca. If you need support during the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Marie-Claude Geddry at MarieClaude.Geddry@nscn.ca.
After Submitting the Application
After applications close on March 28, the Nominating Committee will review each application and advance for nomination the person who best meets the competencies, skills and attributes. The Board will hold an election if, after the nominee is announced, additional eligible candidates request to be considered and meet the nomination requirements.
The Nominating Committee was established by the Board to help facilitate the nomination and election of registrants to the Board. The committee must include the immediate past Chair, one public representative and one registrant of the current Board.
In 2023, members include Charmaine McPherson, Paulette Anderson and Ashley Clements. Click here to read about each member of the committee.
The Nominating Committee will email you their decision by April 17. Since all communication will occur by email, please include your preferred email on the application form.
April 17: Nominating Committee will publish the name and profile of the applicant being advanced for election with registrants by email and on the website.
April 18 to 28: Second call for nominations. This is for candidates who wish to be considered for the Board in addition to the nominee being advanced by the Nominating Committee. To apply, individuals must submit a new online application and obtain the signatures of five other registrants who support the nomination by 1 p.m. on April 28.
May 8 to May 15: Online election if there are more nominees than Board vacancies. Eligible registrants will be able to vote until 1 p.m. on May 15.
May 18 to 23: Online election if there is a tie vote between two or more nominees. Eligible registrants will be able to vote until 1 p.m. on May 23.
Application Form
Complete the application form and submit it, along with your cover letter and resume, to nominations@nscn.ca by March 28 at 1:00pm.