St. Francis Xavier University continues to contribute to the health of Nova Scotia, including exceeding its enrollment target for the Rankin School of Nursing BSc in Nursing - Accelerated Option (AO) program – getting more nurses into the healthcare profession faster.
In January 2025, 48 new students entered StFX’s Rankin School AO program. The AO is an innovative and responsive program that educates baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
“It’s contributing to the overall nursing strategy of Nova Scotia,” says Rankin School of Nursing Associate Dean, Dr. Amy Hallaran. She says the program is recruiting future nurses into the profession, and the accelerated option, means more nurses will be in Nova Scotia’s health care system sooner.
StFX’s AO program gives students with the required post-secondary credits the opportunity to earn their degree over six continuous semesters. It offers the same exemplary nursing education as StFX’s regular four year BScN program. It progresses at a faster, uninterrupted pace that allows graduates to enter or re-enter the workforce sooner.
Each Accelerated BScN cohort begins in January and continues over 24 continuous months.
Dr. Hallaran says one of the unique parts of the program is that students come to it with prior learning and they are ready to make a commitment to join the nursing profession. They have made the decision they want to move into nursing now and they are able to give back sooner when they do this program.
The new graduates are also able to enter a variety of settings and help to contribute to care needs across health care sectors, from public health to acute care to long term care and beyond.
“Our graduates are prepared to practice in all those different areas,” Dr. Hallaran says.
HELPING THE AREA HE CALLS HOME
Kyle Prinoski of Bayfield, NS, who began the AO program in January 2025, says he worked as a respiratory therapist for the past seven years out west and at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, NS. During his practice he worked alongside many nurses and has seen the care they provide. “They are there day and night. For the good and the bad. They are able to really help the people they care for obtain their health goals. I want to be able to help people reach their health goals. As a RN, I will be the first line that the patient sees and be able to really help them get better/reach these goals. I will be the advocate for the patient so that they can get whatever support that they need in life.”
He decided to do the AO program as it fits his schedule best, and his previous degree helps with the program. “The professors here are great and really want to see you succeed.”
Mr. Prinoski says he knows he will either work at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital or Guysborough Memorial Hospital. “Both of these hospitals support a lot of the surrounding community, and I want to be a part of the great healthcare team that services the area I call my home.”
WORKING IN RURAL NOVA SCOTIA
Arial Benoit started as a student in January 2025. She also plans on working in rural Nova Scotia after graduation, either as a family practice nurse or an oncology nurse, “to help others in need and contribute to the health and wellness of Nova Scotians."
Ms. Benoit says growing up in a small rural community in Cape Breton, she witnessed first-hand the need for registered nurses and healthcare professionals.
“As a child with a medical condition that led to numerous hospital stays and procedures, it was the registered nurses who truly made a difference in my life. Their compassion, advocacy, and dedication to their patients left a long-lasting impression on me. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, which is why I found the Accelerated Nursing Program so appealing,” she says.
“It builds on my knowledge of health promotion and emphasizes practical nursing skills through hands-on practice, labs, and simulations with clinical experience. More importantly, it reinforces that being a nurse is not just about procedures; it’s about being caring, compassionate, competent, and understanding. I see this two-year program as an opportunity to enter a profession that I respect while giving back to rural communities.”
STEP DIRECTLY INTO PRACTICE
Meghan Hershey grew up in rural Nova Scotia and worked as a paramedic in the province before entering the AO program. “I believe in providing excellent care for all Nova Scotians and I'm excited to be able to step directly into practice here following graduation with a solid foundation from this program. I also expect and hope that the relationships I've built here transition into coworkers and peers as the years go on,” she says.
“For me, this accelerated program allows me to practically transition into my chosen field more quickly, and as a mature student balancing a family and children, these logistics have been crucial for my success.”
SET ROOTS HERE
Eva Boyd says as a mature student with a young family, the accelerated nursing option at StFX was the most logical choice. “I have an education and work background in health, specially, public health, and this option allows me to re-enter the workforce at a faster rate than the traditional program. I chose StFX for its unique intersection of rural and urban qualities. The university is based in a small town, however, there are many highly educated and skilled professionals, allowing the AO nursing student to receive a high-quality education, while also getting the work experience necessary to be proficient in this profession. Additionally, another important aspect that led me to choose StFX is that, due to the small town, you also get to live right in the community, know the individuals you are serving, build a sense of belonging and understand the healthcare needs of the local population. This aspect is crucial for me, as I plan to establish my career in the region. I am excited to set roots here with my family and integrate into the local healthcare system, ensuring that I am able to provide compassionate care while being an active part of the community I serve.”
ENSURING A ROBUST, PREPARED WORKFORCE
StFX nurse educator Felicia Dunbar says Nova Scotia has implemented a comprehensive strategy to attract and retain nurses, addressing both current and future provincial nursing needs.
She says for the January 2025 cohort, StFX has exceeded its target admission goals, indicating the program's success in attracting students and aligning with the Nova Scotia Nursing Strategy.
“As a nurse educator, this achievement demonstrates that we are providing a program that is both appealing to students and effective in meeting the provincial nursing needs. We are supporting not only nursing students but our future colleagues, ensuring a robust and well-prepared workforce for the healthcare system.”
GREAT FEEDBACK
StFX’s Rankin School of Nursing has a great reputation, particularly in Nova Scotia, and graduates are well respected. Dr. Hallaran says they often hear great feedback about the nursing graduates “which speaks volumes on the quality of nursing education we are providing our students, as well as on their ability to transition into the profession.”
The number of seats for StFX’s Accelerated Option has more than doubled in the past couple of years and Dr. Hallaran says this is because of the government recognition of the needs of Nova Scotia and the current pressures on the health care system.
“We’re certainly helping meet that government priority and the overall health and wellness of the province,” she says.
Dr. Hallaran also thanked everyone at StFX, from a wide range of departments, who have stepped up to support and spread awareness of the program and who have helped to meet these priorities, and the clinical partners supporting our students learning.
The next cohort of the AO program will start in January 2026. More information is available HERE.
