Nursing Transition Program Faculty

Tamsen graduated from Dalhousie University's BScN program (2002). She has worked in a variety of settings that includes pediatrics, long-term care, burns and plastics, medical-surgical IMCU as well as remote nursing on Haida Gwaii.  Person-centred care and building therapeutic relationships with patients is what Tamsen values most in her nursing career.  A passion for education prompted her to obtain her Master of Education from the University of Ottawa (2024). She gained experience as a Clinical Nurse Educator in Geriatrics and recently joined the Learning Institute June 2025 in the role of Nurse Educator. She looks forward to applying her education and experience in supporting learners in the Nursing Transition Program.

In her spare time, Tamsen likes to run, climb, hike and read. She loves animals, nature and being near the water.

902-225-4170 | Tamsen.Cumming@nshealth.ca

Vanessa, originally from the Yukon, lived in Ireland until 2008 when she returned to Canada to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at St. Francis Xavier University in 2013 and began her nursing career at St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish, NS. There, she gained diverse nursing experience, including emergency nursing, which ignited her passion for the field.

In 2016, Vanessa moved to Halifax and worked at the Victoria General on the Gastroenterology and General Surgery unit before transitioning to the Dartmouth General Emergency Room. She spent six years in the high-volume department, completed the Emergency Nursing Program at the Learning Institute (RNPDC at the time), and contributed to the development of initiatives like the waiting room care provider in the ER to improve patient care. Vanessa also discovered her love for teaching and mentoring new nurses during this time.

In 2023, Vanessa became a Clinical Nurse Educator with the Clinical Teaching Unit, helping international nurses transition into Nova Scotia Health. The team developed a program that was nominated for a Making Waves Award for Inclusion, Diversity, Reconciliation, and Accessibility. Vanessa is currently working with the Nursing Transition Program (NTP), which aims to support nurses transitioning into new roles within the Nova Scotian healthcare system. Vanessa truly believes that learning is a lifelong journey and has hopes to start her master’s in the near future.

Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys spending quality time with her husband and son. They love attending Moosehead hockey games together, throwing darts, and traveling to other areas of the world to gain cultural and worldly experiences.

902-220-8174 | Vanessa.Cropper@nshealth.ca

A medical-surgical nurse at her core, Amanda brings nearly 20 years of diverse experience across Urology, Ophthalmology, Nephrology, Kidney and Liver Transplant, and Med/Surg IMCU. Since graduating with her BScN from Dalhousie University in 2005, her nursing career has taken her across borders, with experience in both Michigan and Washington State, as well as her home province of Nova Scotia.

Amanda joined the Nursing Transition Program (NTP) in January 2025, bringing her valuable experience as a Clinical Nurse Educator with the Clinical Teaching Unit (CTU). She played a key role in designing and delivering this successful transition to practice program—making her move to the Learning Institute to support the NTP program a natural next step. Prior to her role with the CTU, she served as a simulation lab and clinical instructor at Dalhousie's School of Nursing. 

In addition to her passion for supporting others in their learning journeys, Amanda is a dedicated lifelong learner. She has recently completed an Adult Education Certificate, a Certificate in Simulation-Based Education, and the Interprofessional Simulation Facilitation Course through the Learning Institute.

Beyond her professional life, Amanda finds balance through meaningful time with loved ones and long hikes with her dog, Georgie. When she's not out and about, you'll probably find her at home reading a book, baking something sweet, or working in her garden.

902-497-3048 | AmandaL.Kelly@nshealth.ca

Allison completed her BScN from Cape Breton University in 2018. She was born and raised in Cape Breton and started her career in the ICU at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. She then moved to the Annapolis Valley where she continued her ICU career in Kentville at the Valley Regional Hospital for the next 5 years.

Allison found her passion for teaching/educating through preceptorship and as a Heart & Stroke instructor for BLS, ACLS, and PALS. In 2024, Allison became an instructor for the Critical Care Nursing Program and has been loving every minute of it! She is very excited to join the High Acuity team and share her passion for nursing education. She loves simulation-based education and recently obtained her interprofessional simulation facilitation course to improve her own knowledge in delivering high fidelity sims!

On her downtime, Allison enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and travelling. When not doing these things, she can often be found at home, curled up with her two kitties and a book in hand.

902-599-2883 | Allison.Walsh@nshealth.ca

Jennifer graduated from Dalhousie University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She further expanded her academic background by earning a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University.

In March 2025, Jennifer joined the Learning Institute, where she is passionate about supporting internationally educated nurses (IENs) as they transition into the Canadian healthcare system. She finds great fulfillment in witnessing her learners grow, evolve, and achieve their professional goals.

Jennifer has enjoyed a diverse nursing career, with a primary focus on surgical nursing. She has also excelled in leadership roles, including serving as a charge nurse on a short-stay orthopedic floor for three years and as a COVID Charge Nurse during the pandemic for another three years. Early in her career, Jennifer embraced travel nursing opportunities, working in locations from Boston to California to Calgary before returning to her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Outside of her professional life, Jennifer is an active mom to a competitive 14-year-old goalie, which keeps her busy with local and away hockey games. She and her son enjoy hiking, traveling (recently returning from Mexico), and spending quality time with family and friends.

902-718-6185 | Jennifer.Brennan@nshealth.ca