News

Registered nurses wanting to gain advanced skills and education in mental health and addictions care now have the opportunity to do so in Nova Scotia through a new Dal program.

The Dal Faculty of Health School of Nursing will offer Atlantic Canada’s first master of nursing, mental health and addictions in fall 2024. There are 22 spots available and an entrance award equal to the first term’s tuition is available to qualifying full-time students

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

The new degree program is open to nurses with two years of clinical experience in the mental health and addictions field within the past 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 this new program close on April 1. More information, including how to apply, is available at: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health/nursing/graduate-programs/master-of-nursing--mn-/mental-health-and-addictions.html

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

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

“We’re so proud to work with Dalhousie University and support this new master’s program for nurses who want to help people dealing with mental health issues or addiction. Time and time again, post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia have stepped up to develop new programs or add seats to create additional training opportunities that will help transform the province’s healthcare system. This is innovation in action.”
— Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education