Career Exploration Tool

Welcome to the Career Exploration Tool for the Continuing and Community Care sectors in Nova Scotia.

What is this webpage about?

This site provides information for career practitioners, students and job seekers specific to occupations in the Continuing and Community Care sectors in Nova Scotia.


Careers in Continuing Care

  • Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Registered Nurse (RN)

Careers in Community Care

  • Community/Residential Care Worker (RCW)

Career Exploration

Is a career in the continuing or community care right for you?

The Continuing and Community Care sectors in Nova Scotia can offer almost anyone a satisfying career with lots of opportunities for growth. Direct care personnel provide an invaluable contribution to the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.

With the variety of careers available in the sectors you can utilize almost any talent you may have. With so many career choices there’s a place in continuing and community care for almost everyone. So, consider a career in one of these areas. It may just be the right path for you!

The first step to finding a career in these sectors is to discover what interests, abilities, skills and values you possess, and which sector has roles that will best suit your personality. You can start by watching the videos to help identify which career may be the best fit for you.




I'd like to pursue a career in:

Do you have what it takes?

Do you have what it takes?

The Nova Scotia Department of Health provides a number of programs and services for Nova Scotians, including continuing care services. “Continuing Care Services are provided to eligible people who need care outside of the hospital in their home and community. Care can be provided on a long or short-term basis. Services include Home Care (Nursing, Home Support, Respite and Palliative Care), Long-Term Care (Nursing Home or Residential Care Facility) and Aboriginal Continuing Care”, to name a few.

Things to consider

Things to consider:

Several agencies provide services for the Department of Health and Wellness. These organizations employ many caregivers, primarily Continuing Care Assistants (CCA), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Registered Nurses (RN). Each role in continuing care has its specific demands on your interests, abilities, and education, but some qualities are necessary for all. You must be cooperative, mature, responsible, and accountable to work well in these roles.

You may be working one-on-one with a person or assisting other care providers, but you are still part of a team and will work primarily in a policy supported and reasonably structured environment.  It's important to feel comfortable expressing yourself and your opinions to others and to be able to consider their ideas. Most importantly you must remember that the wellbeing of the person receiving care is the most important goal, so cooperation is a necessity in caregiving. You will have to be mature and responsible for your actions because people depend on you.

As a care provider you will be working with people at different stages of their lives, and deal with individuals who are ageing, debilitated, ill, or undergoing rehabilitation.  You may be working in a nursing home, a residential care facility or a private residence.

All workers will be asked to  complete Criminal Record and a Vulnerable Sector (VS) checks by their educational institution, their licensing body or by the prospective employer.

What skills, interests, preferred work style, and values are essential for the RCW?

So what skills, interests, preferred work style and values are important for care providers?

Are you adaptable?

    No two days in continuing care are the same, and you must be able to adapt without any adverse effect on the persons for whom you provide care while upholding the standards and policies of your profession and your employer. CCAs, LPNs, and RNs are in high demand in Nova Scotia. There will be opportunities for work and advancement within the workplace. Being adaptable and willing to learn new things will help you be prepared for opportunities when they arise.

    Are you willing and able to do shift work?

      Some workers find that shift work allows for a more flexible lifestyle than a 9 to 5, five day a week schedule and shift schedules can present varying blocks of days off, depending on rotations. However, shift work is demanding. Standing or walking for most of the time and dealing with emotionally challenging situations can be draining. Having to work weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts is a dislike for some workers. Additionally, workers are sometimes asked to take on additional shifts to accommodate staffing needs. Make sure you are physically and mentally fit and have the supports i.e. transportation, flexible child care and other supports needed to enable shift work.


      Do you feel compassion for others?

      Knowledge isn't the only thing you need to do your job. A naturally compassionate spirit is a must-have personality trait for those in the care provider role. Why is this true? As a care provider, you will be dealing with people who need care and support, every day. Many CCAs, LPNs and RNs work in nursing homes, special care facilities or individuals’ homes, where your care and compassion can have just as much impact as caring for that person’s physical needs.

      Are you attentive to detail?

        You may think it makes sense that client charts and forms contain pages of essential details that must be correct. But there are other reasons and ways to pay attention to detail as well. Has your usually impeccably-dressed client been missing buttons and zippers, perhaps signaling a loss of ability? Did your client mention a change in diet or sleep that should be examined further by their doctor? Do you have to repeat yourself to a client, perhaps revealing memory or hearing issues that didn’t exist before? As a direct care provider, you’ll spend more time with your clients than anyone else. The information you provide is vital to the plan of care for each and contributes to decisions about medical care by the doctors. Therefore, your attention to detail is critical to the persons’ care.

        Do you have a positive attitude?

          Smiling changes your attitude for the positive, even if you don't realize it. Smiling and laughter can help manage anxiety, reduce tension and even strengthen the immune system. Smiling can also increase your confidence! A positive attitude can impact your job performance! From dealing with job stress to creative problem solving, to managing interpersonal relationships with co-workers, having a positive outlook can be contagious. We tend to be more productive and do our best when we have a positive attitude—even towards undesirable assignments. What employer doesn't appreciate that? Most importantly a smile and a positive approach, as the care provider, can make your clients feel they are being cared for with compassion. Your positive outlook can fuel your client’s energy reserves and help them face seemingly overwhelming challenges, so be positive and smile, for the health of it!

          Are you able to think on your feet, or on the fly?

            Quick thinking saves lives. As a care provider, you’ll face a variety of different situations. For instance, you might be on your way to check on a client and notice another who appears very pale and weak. You should quickly intervene to make sure the individual is okay. Being aware of your surroundings and being able to notice when people are in need can not only make you successful in your job, but it can save lives.

            Do you feel “called” to care?

              Caring for people in their moment of need is not your average 9 to 5 job. Whether you’ve wanted to be a care provider since you were five or if your sense of compassion came later in life, successful care providers don't just have talents, knowledge, and education to make them suitable professionals - they also have a calling to care.

              Do you have strong communications skills?

                Care providers need to communicate with a variety of people: clients, doctors, other team members and staff, families, facility and program managers and administrators, and more. With a client, you may need to speak slowly and use basic terminology to help them understand your plan. With a supervisor or doctor, you may need to give a quick summary while they are between activities or you are speaking to them on the telephone. Understanding various situations and being an active listener are the foundation of clear, effective communication. Delivering important and sometimes emotional messages in an empathetic and diplomatic way is also a must-have skill for care providing professionals. There is more to communication than speaking, reading, writing, and texting. Additional relevant information about the aspects of good communication and other work-life skills that will lead to your success in your career are available. These essential skills can also be applied and used beyond the workplace in a range of daily activities. Check out the Conference Board of Canadas' Essential Skills.

                Are you a patient person?

                  You have often heard that "patience is a virtue." Many care providers find that patience is the top skill they need to succeed. Why is that? Well, the people you provide care for are often scared, sometimes very ill and maybe even suspicious of their surroundings. You may be the target of their aggression-you may be the one to bathe the woman with the worst attitude or feed the man who complains about everything. Controlling your reactions to the behaviors and maintaining a patient and professional demeanor is critical to success as a care provider. It always helps to remind yourself that it’s ‘not about you.

                  Are you physically fit?

                    Maintaining physical strength and preventing injury is vital to care providers. It might not seem like the most significant endeavor to stand on your feet for over 10 hours at a time, but it indeed takes training and practice. You may also need to move patients in and out of beds and chairs, manage mechanical lifts, push a cart or wheelchair, and complete other physically demanding tasks during your shifts. Most workers must be able to move 30 pounds or more. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are things you'll talk to your clients about, so you might as well practice what you preach. Your body will appreciate your efforts the end of a long day, and you'll set an example for your clients. Practicing full body stretches is a good habit to develop at the beginning a shift. It helps warm up your muscles and helps prevent injury. Think of it like going to the gym for a workout or starting out for a run. You wouldn’t or shouldn’t do either without first warming up, would you? 

                    Are you emotionally healthy?

                      ]Emotional health is another requirement for potential care providers. You need to consider if you are emotionally and mentally prepared to face the challenges that are part of a typical day. Care providers are present for some of the most joyful moments of their clients’ lives. Imagine being present when an elderly person, recovering from a fall, is able to walk to the dining room for the first time in months. But care providers often see clients who are facing life challenges, who may be scared, or dealing with physical discomfort and who have changing emotional needs. It takes an emotionally stable person to deal with some of these situations.Wondering if you have the emotional strength? Here are seven ways to assess yourself and others: "Emotionally strong people...
                      • Are less discouraged by setbacks and disappointments.
                      • Are more adaptable to change.
                      • Recognize and express their needs.
                      • Focus on getting around a hurdle rather than on the barrier itself.
                      • Can learn from mistakes and feedback.
                      • Tend to see the larger picture in a challenging situation.
                      • Recover more quickly from emotional wounds such as failure or rejection.

                      (The 7 Characteristics of Emotionally Strong People ... and why criers can be just as tough as anyone else, Psychology Today, Guy Winch Ph.D., June 4, 2015. Accessed from Psychology Today web page 3/3/2018).

                      Are you technologically savvy?

                        Being literate in new technologies is vital in the healthcare field, as digital healthcare records, mobile tools, and other technologies improve both client care and workflow. Healthcare is an exciting field to be in for those interested in technical advancements. More and more, there are devices and objects designed with modern technological innovations that can simplify a patient's daily tasks and support the delivery of care. It's crucial to remain knowledgeable on technology trends so that you can adapt and keep your skills sharp.


                        Do you still think a career in the continuing care sector may be a good fit for you?

                        CCAs, LPNs and RNs provide routine and essential services in all settings in the continuing care sector in Nova Scotia. They represent the largest pool of employees in the continuing care workforce and are responsible for a range of operations. These workers form the backbone needed to deliver high-quality care and ensure an excellent client experience for Nova Scotians in continuing care.

                        Do you still think a career in the Continuing Care sector may be a good fit for you?

                        Visit the Health Care Human Resource Sector Council and the Continuing Care Assistant program websites to discover more about the work and educational requirements for CCALPN and RN.

                        To discover information about the labour market and pay scales for these professions in Nova Scotia, visit Careers Nova Scotia. CCALPNRN.

                        Visit the Government of Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness website to learn about programs and services available through the Continuing Care Program.

                        Explore Employer Profiles on the Health Care Human Resource Sector Council website to find organizations close to you.

                        Interested but still not entirely sure if this is the right career path for you?

                        Talk to CCAs, LPNs and RNs in your community who work in continuing care, either in home care, a nursing home or another residential care facility. Ask them about their jobs; speak to your school career counselor about job shadowing in a continuing care setting; talk to friends or relatives that work in continuing care. You too may choose to care!

                        Not yet ready to fully commit?

                        There are other options available in the community care sector that you may prefer. Surf the community care section of this webpage and visit the Health Care Human Resource Sector Council career pages to see if there is a better fit for your interests and talents. Very likely there will be a fit for you somewhere in the continuing or community care sectors or perhaps in acute the health care setting. Happy searching for your healthcare career!

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                        Is a career in community care right for you?

                        Is a career in the continuing or community care right for you?

                        The Continuing and Community Care sectors in Nova Scotia can offer almost anyone a satisfying career with lots of opportunities for growth. Direct care personnel provide an invaluable contribution to the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.

                        With the variety of careers available in the sectors you can utilize almost any talent you may have. With so many career choices there’s a place in continuing and community care for almost everyone. So, consider a career in one of these areas. It may just be the right path for you!

                        The first step to finding a career in these sectors is to discover what interests, abilities, skills and values you possess, and which sector has roles that will best suit your personality. You can start by watching the videos to help identify which career may be the best fit for you.

                        Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) 

                        Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

                        Registered Nurse (RN)

                        Resident Care Worker (RCW) 

                        Things to consider

                        Things to consider:

                        A number of agencies across the province provide services for the Department and they employ Community/Residential care workers (RCW). These workers support people with disabilities who need varying level of assistance. They carry a tremendous amount of responsibility, both regarding the persons to whom they provide support and concerning the tasks they are completing. Belief in the rights of people living with life challenges, the principles of inclusion, a person-centred approach, and seeing a person’s gifts and possible ways they may contribute are essential to the care worker.

                        The RCW worker assists individuals with special needs, such as those with behavioral or mental health disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities. Activities of the job may take place in small residential homes, larger group homes or may take a more individualized form of work, such as employment support. It is vital that there is a good match between clients and their care workers to allow a positive working relationship.

                        A person’s beliefs, values, and attitudes play an important part in the employers’ consideration and decision to recruit workers. Additionally, prospective workers must have a Criminal Record and a Vulnerable Sector (VS) check completed.

                        So what skills, interests, preferred work style and values are essential for community care

                        So what skills, interests, preferred work style and values are essential for the RCW?

                        Can you work independently, follow directions and manage your time well?

                          The community/residential care worker has a lot of independence in their work. They must be organized and able to manage a daily schedule. They must make decisions about the best use of a person's time and support the person to make choices. They make decisions about a person's well-being and take actions which are in the person's best interests.

                          Do you respect individuals and value diversity?

                          The community/residential care worker must demonstrate respect and treat persons with dignity. This means believing that everybody has equal worth and is entitled to respectful treatment. We show our attitude toward people's dignity by the way we treat them; by being fair, truthful and by showing care and compassion. We must respect other people’s views, choices and decisions and not assume what they want or would like or how they want to be treated. Every individual, regardless of age, ability to consent, gender or disability, should be valued and treated as if they were able to think, feel and act in a way that would uphold their self-respect. The universal principles to support dignity include a value for the uniqueness of every individual, a recognition that care and support services need to be tailored to meet the person's needs, and a value for communicating with individuals in ways that are meaningful to them. The community care worker must recognize how an individual's dignity may be affected when personal care is required as part of their support and know that an individual's surroundings and environments are important to their sense of pride and dignity. Care workers must value workplace cultures that actively promote the dignity of everybody and recognize the need to challenge care that may reduce the dignity of the individual.

                          Are you willing and able to do shift work?

                          Community/residential care workers require a strong work ethic. Some workers say that shift work contributes to a more flexible lifestyle than a 9-5, five day a week schedule. However, working 8 and 12-hour shifts, sometimes split shifts, and on weekends and holidays is draining, even more so if working the overnight shift. Standing or walking most of a shift and dealing with emotionally challenging situations can be draining. Being asked to work extra shifts to meet staffing needs is common. Make sure you are physically and mentally fit and have the supports i.e. transportation, flexible child care and other supports needed to enable shift work.

                          Are you good at problem-solving? Have you been told you have sound judgement or common sense?

                          A community/residential care worker must be able to make individual program and behavior change plans for their clients that consider the needs and abilities of the client as well as their organization. They must make judgments that support the client and that are in line with the organization's values and overall mission and philosophy. They must share the organization's mission and beliefs. They should learn from their experiences and use best judgement considering the situation at hand.

                          Are you eager and interested to learn new things?

                          Motivation is important. The community/residential care worker must be prepared to work at building their relationship with a client. The care worker must be mature, level-headed, and have a realistic perception of what client progress and achievements will look like. Continuous learning is part of the personal and professional growth required to be successful in this career. 

                          Do you have good communication skills?

                          [dropdown name="Q6"][dropdown-option]Select[/dropdown-option][dropdown-option value="option1"]More info[/dropdown-option][/dropdown]
                          [dropdown-content name="Q6" value="option1"]There is more to communication than speaking, reading, writing, and texting. Good communication skills and the ability to relate well to others including community members is essential. An ability 'to read' people and situations is necessary.  The community/residential care worker needs to communicate with a variety of people: clients, other team members and staff, client families, supervisors, program managers and administrators, and more. With a client, you may need to speak slowly and use basic language to help them understand your plan. With a supervisor, you may need to give a quick summary while they are between activities or you are speaking to them on the telephone. Understanding various situations and being an active listener are the foundations of clear, effective communication. Delivering important and sometimes emotional messages in a sympathetic and gentle way is also a necessary skill. Additional necessary information about the aspects of excellent communication and other work-life skills that will lead to your success in your career are available. These essential skills can also be applied and used beyond the workplace in a range of daily activities".  Check out the Conference Board of Canadas' Essential Skills. [/dropdown-content]

                          Are you a patient person?

                          You have often heard that "Patience is a virtue." Many community/residential care workers find that patience is the top skill they need to succeed.  Why is that? Well, the people you support may sometimes be scared, sometimes ill, and sometimes even suspicious of their surroundings or you.  You may also become the focus of their aggression from time to time. Controlling your reactions to the behaviors and maintaining a patient and professional demeanor is critical to be a successful community/residential care worker. It helps to remind yourself that it's “not about you”. They're frustrated with their current circumstances, and you are the nearest one, at whom they can direct that frustration.

                          Are you physically fit?

                          As the role involves supporting people in the community throughout the day, the community/ residential care worker must have the physical stamina, fitness, and willingness to be 'out and about' and 'on the go' over a 6 to 7-hour day.  You may also need to assist or move clients in and out of beds and chairs, manage mechanical lifts, push a cart or wheelchair, and complete other physically demanding tasks during your day. The ability to lift up to 30 pounds is required. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are things you’ll help your clients with, so you might as well practice what you preach. Your body will appreciate your diligence at the end of a long day, and you'll set an example for your client. Practicing full body stretches is a good habit to develop at the beginning of your day. It helps warm up your muscles and helps prevent injury. Think of it like going to the gym for a workout or starting out for a run. You wouldn’t or shouldn’t do either without first warming up, would you? 

                          Are you emotionally healthy?

                          Emotional health is another requirement for the community/residential care worker. You need to consider if you are emotionally and mentally prepared to face the challenge.  Without a doubt, community/residential care workers are present for some of the most joyful moments of peoples’ lives. But care works also work with people who may make slow progress, who struggle to complete repetitive tasks, who are unable to communicate easily, and who might be easily frustrated.  It takes an emotionally stable person to deal with some of these situations.Wondering if you have the emotional strength? Here are seven ways to assess yourself and others: Emotionally healthy people are:
                          • Less discouraged by setbacks and disappointments.
                          • More adaptable to change.
                          • Able to recognize and express their needs.
                          • Focused on getting around a hurdle rather than on the barrier itself.
                          • Able to learn from mistakes and accept feedback.
                          • Able to see the broader perspective in a challenging situation.
                          • Apt to recover more quickly from emotional wounds such as failure or rejection.

                          For more on emotional strength click on the link for this reference. The 7 Characteristics of Emotionally Strong People ... and why criers can be just as tough as anyone else, Psychology Today, Guy Winch Ph.D., June 4, 2015. Accessed from Psychology Today web page 3/3/2018.

                          Are you flexible?

                          Day to day tasks may vary. As a community/residential care worker, your clients could include children, or adults with physical, cognitive, developmental or learning disabilities, mental health problems, addiction issues or other emotional or social needs.Your day-to-day tasks would vary according to the client group you worked with, but might include:
                          • Assessing each resident's needs and progress.
                          • Providing physical care.
                          • Creating a safe and positive living environment.
                          • Setting boundaries for young people's behaviour.
                          • Offering one-to-one counselling or leading group therapy sessions.
                          • Providing leisure and creative opportunities.
                          • Teaching daily living skills -  such as budgeting, shopping and claiming benefits.
                          • Helping residents deal with problems and become independent.
                          • Keeping records and writing reports.
                          • Liaising with residents' families.
                          • Working with other health and care professionals.

                          With experience, you could have extra responsibilities including supervising and leading a team and managing a budget. In a full-time job you would typically work 37-40 hours a week, often on a shift rotation including weekends, evenings and 'sleep in' duties. You may also be on-call at times. Part-time work is commonly available.

                          You could be assigned to work in children's homes, or adult residential care centres, which may be purpose-built or adapted houses. You may also spend time out in the community doing activities with persons receiving support. As you can see, the job needs flexibility and seldom involves boredom!

                          Are you comfortable with physical contact?

                            Providing personal care may be part of some situations. People receiving care may require help with eating, drinking, washing, dressing, or toileting. This is care that most people complete independently, but which they may be unable to because of disability or other need. Explaining the care to be provided in a matter of fact way and maintaining a professional approach can help alleviate any client embarrassment or concern.

                            Do you still think a career in Community Care is a good fit?

                            A Career in Community Care

                            Do you have what it takes?

                            The Nova Scotia Department of Community Services Disability Support Program (DSP) “serves children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, long-term mental illness and physical disabilities in a range of community-based, residential and vocational/day programs. These are voluntary programs designed to support people at various stages of their development and independence”. (Reference Government of NS.)

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