Registered Psychological Nurses
On December 1, 2025, Nova Scotia created the legal framework to register and license registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs).

This change came as a result of the CFNU’s push for interprovincial recognition of RPNs in provinces that historically lacked the designation. Introducing RPNs as a nursing designation is an important step toward improving access to mental health care for all Nova Scotians, strengthening the nursing profession in the province.

The introduction of RPNs did not remove mental health and addictions care from the scopes of LPNs or RNs. They may continue to work in mental health and addictions settings where the work is within their designation scope. 

Learn more at nsnmr.ca.

Regulated Health Professionals Act
As of June 30, 2026, nursing and midwifery regulation moved under the Regulated Health Professionals Act. The former Nursing Act and Midwifery Act were repealed, and the Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator became the regulator for both professions. 

These changes amalgamated regulators, they did not merge nursing and midwifery scopes of practice. They do not change collective agreements, wages, job classifications or members’ rights. 

Nursing and midwifery continue to have distinct scopes of practice, entry-to-practice requirements, professional knowledge and competencies, codes and standards, and license categories and protected titles. The NSNU does not represent midwives.

Learn more at novascotia.ca and nsnmr.ca.

Workplace Harassment Regulations
Nova Scotia’s workplace-harassment requirements took effect on September 1, 2025. Provincially regulated employers must have a written harassment-prevention policy, reporting and investigation processes, confidentiality and non-retaliation provisions, worker training and periodic policy reviews. 

Learn more at novascotia.ca.

Protecting Access to Health Services

Nova Scotia’s Protecting Access to Health Servies Act  was introduced as law in October  2021, and later expanded in March 2022. It provides restrictions around access to health facilities, including restrictions on obstruction and intimidation in designated access zones.

Section 423.2 of Canada’s Criminal Code protects patients, nurses, other health professionals, and people who assist them from intimidation or deliberate interference with access to health care.

A person may commit a criminal offence if they intentionally try to create fear in:

• A patient, to prevent or discourage them from receiving health care.
• A nurse or other health professional, to prevent or hinder them from doing their job.
• Someone assisting a health professional, to prevent or hinder that person’s work. This could potentially include clinical support staff and others whose role directly assists health professionals.

It is also an offence, without lawful authority, to intentionally block or interfere with someone’s lawful access to a place where health services are provided.

Learn more about this legislation here.

PTSD Legislation

Amended Bill 7, the Workers’ Compensation Act, was passed in October of 2017 to establish a legal presumption that PTSD diagnosed in front-line and emergency response workers is causally linked to their employment. This legislation makes it easier for these workers diagnosed with PTSD to access benefits. 

Learn more at nsnu.ca.

First Responders Day

Nova Scotia’s First Responders Day Act, enacted in 2023, designates May 1 of every year as First Responders Day throughout the province. The Act defines a first responder as a volunteer or professional who, during the early stages of an emergency, is responsible for protecting and preserving life, property, evidence or the environment. Nurses are expressly included among the professionals listed in that definition.

The inclusion of nurses recognizes the essential role they play during emergencies, public-health events, mass-casualty incidents, natural disasters and other critical situations. Nurses may be among the first healthcare professionals to assess a patient, begin life-saving care, coordinate a response, support families or maintain essential health services during a crisis.

Learn more at novascotia.ca.