About the NSNU

The Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union (NSNU) represents 8,000 Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners working in acute care hospitals, long term care facilities, and community care practices in Nova Scotia. As a professional trade union, the NSNU exclusively represents nurses, which is unique to labour unions in Nova Scotia.

The NSNU is affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and is a member organization of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) which represents approximately 200,000 nurses and student nurses across Canada.

As a Union, the NSNU negotiates Collective Agreements with employers and represents its members in workplace and labour issues. The NSNU strives to ensure nursing’s positions on health care issues and developments are represented, as well as communicated to the public. 

NSNU Mission

The Nova Scotia Nurses Union advances the social, economic and work lives of nurses. We have the Courage to Lead, Confidence to Challenge, Commitment to Care.

NSNU Objectives

• The advancement of the social, economic and general welfare of nurses and other allied personnel. 
• The regulation of relations between nurses and other allied personnel and their employers, and the negotiation of written contracts with the employers implementing progressively better conditions of employment. 
• The promotion of effective communication with employees. 
• The promotion of the knowledge of nurses and other allied personnel in all things related to their social and economic welfare through education and research. 
• The promotion of unity within the nursing profession and other allied fields through cooperation with, and in support of, other organizations. 
• The promotion of political awareness amongst the membership. 
• The promotion of the highest standard of health care. 
• The promotion of the nursing profession. 

Janet Hazelton, NSNU President 

Janet Hazelton first launched her Union career in 1987 when she recognized the need for a stronger voice amongst her co-workers in nursing issues. Starting off in volunteer positions for her Local, Janet gained knowledge in labour relations, and soon after made the decision to try for a larger role in the organization. Janet quickly moved to Second Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer of the NSNU Board of Directors before being elected President of the Union in 2002. With the assistance of the Board, Janet uses her strong leadership skills to advocate for her key stakeholders – Nova Scotia nurses’. Her leadership roles do not stop with the NSNU, Janet also sits on the Board of Directors for the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and the National Executive Board of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.