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. To learn more about the NSCN Board, please watch our introduction video here.
From February 14 to March 13, 2024, the NSCN Nominating Committee began the process to find two qualified registrants to serve on the Board and help regulate the practice of nursing in the public’s interest. This year, at least one of the new Board members must be an LPN in order to meet the Board composition requirements of the Nursing Act. NSCN Board members serve in a volunteer capacity. This is not an employment opportunity.
The Nominating Committee selected two nominees through a thorough application and review process to help with their goal of creating a Board that is balanced in desired competencies, skills and attributes, as well reflecting diversity in its composition.
After reviewing all of the applications, the committee has advanced for election two registrants needed to fill the Board vacancies: Susan Earle, LPN and Naomi Bezanson, LPN. Read more about the nominees below.
"The Nominating Committee unanimously supports Susan Earle, LPN and Naomi Bezanson, LPN as the nominees we have chosen to advance for election. We believe they both possess the desired competencies, skills, and attributes that we require to help the Board achieve our purpose and goals, as well as help the growth and future direction of NSCN.” - Jason Reeves, Nominating Committee Chair
Meet the Nominees
Susan Earle, LPN
Hi, my name is Susan Earle, and I am a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who currently works as a Case Aid with Jordan’s Principle at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. After graduating as an LPN in 2017, my nursing career has been focused primarily in mental health, and I have spent time working in roles in psychiatric acute care, community health, supportive transition housing and forensic nursing in both Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Through my past experience and my current work with Indigenous children and families, I believe I can bring a diverse perspective to the NSCN Board. I aspire to ensure that everyone receives equal access to health care, support, and education, despite systemic barriers, oppression, and discrimination. I recognize the importance of fostering trust through meaningful engagement, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the nursing profession’s integrity and standards while advocating for the well-being of the public.
Naomi Bezanson, LPN
Hi, my name is Naomi Bezanson, and I am a nurse manager at the Tibbetts Home for Special Care in Kingston, NS. My nursing practice is founded on a passion for helping others, a drive to train those around me to be the best caregivers they can be, and a need to push myself to self-reflect and constantly improve my knowledge. As a strong advocate for patients and their families, I believe serving on the NSCN Board is the next step in caring for my community by regulating how nursing care is delivered across Nova Scotia in the public’s interest. I believe I can bring my experience in collaboration, policy management, performance management, and risk assessment to the NSCN Board. Additionally, after working in Montreal for five years where I cared for many people with different cultural backgrounds and social identities, I have developed cultural sensitivity that will be an asset to the Board.
Upcoming Board Election
In early April, the committee notified the pool of eligible candidates of the two selected nominees, Susan Earle and Naomi Bezanson. The remaining pool of eligible candidates had the opportunity to put their name forward to also be included on the election ballot. This resulted in Andrew Heighton, RN and Jillyan Cottreau, RN being advanced as nominees for the election. Since there are more nominees than Board vacancies, an election is required and will take place from May 1-8.
Changes to the 2024 Board Nominations & Election Process
For the 2024 Board nominations and election, the NSCN Board has implemented a few changes to the process to increase efficiencies. Click the drop down to learn more
- Application Process – Number of Calls for Applications: The NSCN Board is reducing the process to just one call for applications, instead of two. Any registrant interested in serving on the Board can apply during the application period. All eligible candidates will then be informed of the selected nominees by the Nominating Committee and can decide whether they want to run for election. This will reduce the workload for candidates because they do not have to submit a second application, and it eliminates the need for the Nominating Committee to complete a second round of vetting candidates.
- Incumbent Board Members: In our previous By-laws there was no process to determine whether an incumbent Board member could serve a second term. New changes to the By-Laws indicate that they now must follow the same process as new candidates, which is inline with Nursing Regulations requiring Board members to be elected.
- Use of Chief Elections Officer: NSCN CEO & Registrar will fulfill the election duties previously given to a Chief Elections Officer instead of appointing an external person. Since the election occurs electronically using a third-party voting system, some of the previous duties of a Chief Elections Officer were unnecessary. In professional regulation, the trend is to use staff to fill these duties which is what NSCN has moved towards for further efficiencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every Board member serves a three-year term, up to a maximum of two consecutive terms (six years), commencing June 1 immediately following the election. For example, if elected this year, new Board members’ terms will begin June 1, 2024.
Board members serve in a volunteer capacity. The Board meets for two consecutive days (or 16 hours) during each quarter (typically in February, April, September and early December). Board members are expected to spend time preparing in advance of each meeting (1-3 hours) and will be asked to participate on working groups as required. Meetings occur in-person at the NSCN office in Bedford or virtually.
Before deciding whether participation on NSCN’s Board is right for you, consider if you can commit to attending meetings, being prepared, being present, and contributing. This level of commitment is important to effectively carry out the role of a Board member. It is prudent to confirm your employer’s support of your participation.
To recognize Board members’ time and service to the public, they may claim an honorarium of $25 per hour up to a maximum of $200/day for meeting and preparation time. Board members may also claim reimbursement for any expenses incurred in connection with their board responsibilities, such as travel, transportation, accommodation, parking, or meals, in accordance with the Board’s policies.
Board members speak as one voice in setting the strategic direction of the organization. The Board debates and decides on matters of high-level policy and direction which are then implemented by NSCN’s CEO at an operational level. To learn more about the Board’s governance model, the principles can be found here.
The Board’s policies can be found here.
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.
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 2024, members of the Nominating Committee include Jason Reeves, Alana Baxter, and Tricia Lane.