Registered nurses looking to gain advanced skills and training in mental health and addiction care now have the opportunity to do so in Nova Scotia thanks to a new program from Dalhousie.

The Faculty of Health’s School of Nursing will offer Atlantic Canada’s first master’s program in nursing, mental health and addictions starting in fall 2024.

There are 22 places available and an entry reward equal to the first term tuition fee is offered to eligible full-time students.

“Nova Scotia nurses currently working in the mental health and addictions field can apply for this new master’s program, which will deepen their clinical and leadership expertise, provide valuable advanced credentials and prepare them to rewarding career opportunities in advanced nursing practice, leadership, education and management. administration,” says Dr. Ruth Martin-Misener, director of Dal’s School of Nursing.

New opportunities for nurses

The new degree program is open to nurses with two years of clinical experience in the mental health and addiction field within the last five years. This graduate program can be completed in two years as a full-time student or in three years as a part-time student.

Graduates of the program will have career opportunities in advanced nursing practice, leadership, administration, management and education.

Applications for the program close April 1. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

“The new Master of Science in Nursing, Mental Health and Addictions is another way we are growing our health care teams right here in Nova Scotia,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. “The new program will help nurses develop their clinical expertise to help Nova Scotians, as well as pass on their knowledge to fellow nurses who are building careers in the mental health and addictions field.”

The Office of Addiction and Mental Health and the Department of Advanced Education have provided Dalhousie with $306,000 to support the program, and additional funds will be committed in future years.

“We are very proud to work with Dalhousie University and support this new master’s program for nurses who want to help people with mental health or addiction issues,” said Brian Wong, Minister of Health. ‘Higher Education. Nova Scotia’s secondary schools have mobilized to develop new programs or add spaces to create additional training opportunities that will help transform the province’s health care system. This is innovation in action.

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