Retraining nurses slowing COVID-19 vaccination efforts in N S , says retired RN cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Posted: Jan 21, 2021 7:33 PM AT | Last Updated: January 21
In the past week, almost 150 nurses have reactivated their licences in Nova Scotia to help with COVID-19 vaccination efforts.(Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP Photo)
Vaccinating close to a million people in less than a year is likely going to take more hands to accomplish than Nova Scotia s health-care system currently has on deck.
That s why regulatory bodies like the Nova Scotia College of Nursing are offering to relicense former health-care professionals to help with the massive COVID-19 vaccination program.
The college put out a call to retired nurses last week to sign up for free temporary licences a program meant primarily to bolster the vaccine workforce and help with other aspects of the COVID-19 response like contact tracing and assessment.
Volunteers wanted to help out at COVID vaccination clinics
Dr. Robert Strang said there are positions that won t require a medical background
Jan 21, 2021 4:40 PM By: Meghan Groff
The province is looking for volunteers to help out at COVID-19 immunization clinics.
At a Tuesday briefing, the Nova Scotia s chief medical officer of health said, in the months ahead, many people will be needed for the most complex health care initiative ever rolled out in our province, and there are positions that won t require a medical background. Whether it s managing the registration of people or helping people while they re waiting the mandatory time period after vaccination, Dr. Robert Strang explained.
Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting three new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, increasing the total number of active cases in the province to 23.
Nurse Practitioners Now Able to Perform Medical Assessments for Drivers
Nova Scotians who require medical assessments to drive now have more options to obtain that approval.
Amendments to regulations under the Motor Vehicle Act came into effect today, Dec. 16, allowing nurse practitioners to complete medical assessment forms for commercial driver licence applications, and drivers who have medical conditions requiring assessment. It also allows for the completion of medical forms for drivers being assessed for accessible parking permits, the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program and exemptions from seat belt or child restraint systems for medical reasons.
“This is about streamlining the process for motorists who need medical forms to drive,” said Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. “Nurse practitioners are an essential part of our health-care system, with the advanced education and competencies needed to complete these medical assessment forms.