Since laying a complaint is a serious matter, we require that you provide specific details about your concern in order to investigate fully and to ensure a fair complaints process for all those involved.
How do I Prepare My Complaint?
To prepare your complaint, choose one of the following two options:
- Complete our Complaint Form
- Prepare a written document detailing your concern(s). Please make sure you read and understand the Submitting a Complaint: Information Sheet located on pages 5 and 6 of the Complaint Form prior to submitting a complaint in this manner.
We encourage you to complete our Complaint Form rather than submit written documentation. The form will help to make sure that you submit all the necessary information we require to process your complaint without causing any delays.
What Information Do I Need to Include?
At minimum, your complaint must include all of the following information:
- Your full name and contact information (e.g. email address, mailing address, telephone number, fax number)
- Full name of the nurse(s) you are making a complaint about
- Description of the actions or behaviours of the nurse or nurses who caused you concern
- If your complaint is not submitted on our Complaint Form, please also clearly state that you are making a complaint about a nurse
If you are not an employer or co-worker making a complaint about a nurse’s conduct relevant to the your work, and you are submitting a complaint about the care provided to another person, we also require that you submit information showing that you have permission to make the complaint. Click here for more information about making a complaint on behalf of someone else.
What Other Information Is Important to Include?
In order for us to investigate your complaint, we require specific details about what happened. Below you will find a list of helpful details to include in your Complaint Form or written document.
If you are the person who received care, or are making a complaint on behalf of someone who received care:
- The date or time frame of the incident which caused concern
- The location of the incident which caused concern
- The names and contact information of any individuals who witnessed the incident or who have relevant information about the incident
- Details about who you have spoken with to address the concerns, including the names and contact information for those individuals
- A copy of any documents you have which are relevant to the incident
- A description of how you think your concerns could be resolved
If you are a nurse:
- The date or time frame of the incident which caused concern
- The location of the incident which caused concern
- The names and contact information of any individuals who witnessed the incident or who have relevant information about the incident
- Details about who you have spoken with to address the concerns, including the names and contact information for those individuals
- A copy of any documents you have which are relevant to the incident
- A description of how you think your concerns could be resolved
- The specific standards of practice, code of ethics provisions, and/or, workplace policies, procedures or guidelines that you believe may not have been met
If you are an employer:
- The registration number of the nurse who is the subject of the complaint
- The employment history of the nurse who is the subject of the complaint, including the date the nurse started working for the employer and, if applicable, when the employment was terminated
- A summary of actions taken by the employer and others following the incident, and a description of the nurse’s responses to those actions
How Do I Submit My Complaint?
You can send your completed form or written document and supporting documentation to us by email, fax or mail. It should be addressed to: Professional Conduct Services – NSCN.
Email: conduct@nscn.ca
Fax: 902.377.5188
Mail:
Nova Scotia College of Nursing
Professional Conduct Services – Intake
300 - 120 Western Parkway, Bedford, NS B4B 0V2
We will contact you within 7 business days to confirm that we have received your complaint. If you have any questions, reach out to us at conduct@nscn.ca.
As an organization, we uphold public trust by being accountable and transparent. One of the ways we do this is by sharing a general overview of our conduct processes in a way that everyone can understand. Due to the nature of this work however, these processes can be complex and there are ultimately a number of factors that determine the best course of action to promote the public interest. The material presented in this website is general information only, and is not legal advice. If there is any inconsistency between this information and the Nursing Act, regulations and bylaws, the legislation prevails. As a result, it is best to contact a member of our team, your legal counsel or a union representative to ensure you fully understand the information presented on our website and within the Nursing Act, regulations, and bylaws.