Emergency Nursing Program

Joy is a graduate of the Dalhousie BSc in Nursing Program; and earned a Master’s in Nursing from Athabasca University. She has been a nurse for 17 years with the majority of her time spent in the emergency department. She worked at the Dartmouth General ER for 10 years prior to moving to sunny San Diego, California, in 2004. During her 8 years in California, Joy worked as a fill-time travel emergency nurse for several years prior to going into her true passion — nursing education.

During her time educating in the nursing program, she was a part of a college that built a new nursing department that had a state-of-the art simulation laboratory and interactive learning systems to support instruction.

As the educator of the Med-Surg course, she pioneered the way within the faculty in terms of the creation and implementation of simulation exercises as integrated modules of the curriculum. As the educator of the pharmacology course, Joy designed, produced, implemented, and instructed the first online course to be offered in the nursing program. She was awarded the “Instructor of the Year — Excellence in Teaching” award for these two milestones. In May 2011 Joy was awarded an assistant professorship. In August of 2012 she moved back to Nova Scotia, to be closer to family.

902-473-2176 | Joy.Zozuk@nshealth.ca

Krystyna graduated from Dalhousie University with a BSc in Nursing in 2014. She worked most of her career at the Dartmouth General Hospital, starting on a medicine unit then transitioning to the Emergency Room to advance her knowledge and skills. She completed the Emergency Nursing Program in 2019 and quickly achieved her National Certification in Emergency Nursing from the Canadian Nurses Association. She remained in ER full-time for 5 years, then decided to mix up her skills and work part-time ER and part-time ICU for a year. During this time, Krystyna started taking extra education courses and worked casually with NSCC as a nursing instructor to get her feet wet in her eventual career path – nursing education. Krystyna has always been an advocate for education, either taking courses herself or by preceptoring, orientating, and mentoring staff and students. She loved introducing emergency nursing to others with whom she could share her passion. She began at the Learning Institute in 2022 as a nursing instructor, now an educator, with the Emergency Nursing Program and she’s never been happier.

Krystyna has always been a big advocate for education and change, having taken many courses and participated on numerous committees to better patient care. Emergency medicine and nursing is constantly evolving and changing, and Krystyna looks forward to being a small part of that change by educating future ER nurses. She works as the Nurse Educator for ENP and is currently in her Master’s of Education to help solidify her passion for teaching.

Outside of work you can catch Krystyna with her partner and friends or family, trying new foods as a self-proclaimed “foodie”, travelling the world, and visiting her old home of Cape Breton.

782-641-6936 | Krystyna.Black@nshealth.ca

Jessica graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2014. She began her career working at the Janeway pediatric emergency in St. John’s before cross-training to adult emergency shortly after. For the next 9 years, she worked as both a travel and staff nurse in 17 different emergency departments throughout Newfoundland, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. During this time, she fell in love with small-town nursing and the unique challenges that come with it. She was able to expand her nursing knowledge and continued to complete various courses and certifications, including receiving her Emergency Nursing Certification from the Canadian Nurses Association. In 2023, she returned to Nova Scotia to be closer to family, and she joined the Learning Institute in 2024 as a Nursing Instructor in the Emergency Nursing Program.

Jessica is currently working on her Master's in Adult Education with a Concentration in Adult Education and Health from St. Francis Xavier University. She is enthusiastic about lifelong learning and professional development and is passionate about educating the next generation of nurses in a way that is inclusive to all learners.

Outside of work, Jessica can be found at the rink coaching or playing ringette, camping, travelling around the country, or out on a trail with her dog.

902-717-3548 | Jessica.Ring@nshealth.ca

After completing his BA in Modern Languages from St. FX University, Ward was unsure which career path to pursue. He was working as a Unit Aid when an RN suggested he should consider becoming a nurse, and the rest, as they say, is history! He completed the Accelerated Fast Track Nursing Degree Program at StFX. Ward started his nursing career in the Neurology/Stroke service and quickly progressed to Cardiac Surgery, where he completed the IMCU course. He found a love of learning and teaching when he became a Nursing Instructor with the Dalhousie School of Nursing and still works as a casual clinical skills instructor with the Dalhousie School of Medicine.

Ward completed the Emergency Nursing Program through the Learning Institute (RNPDC at the time) and spent most of his career nursing in the Emergency Department. He was a Clinical Leader, obtained his CNA certification in Emergency Nursing, and became a Simulator Instructor and a certified ACLS instructor with Heart and Stroke. He did a term as the Patient Flow Manager/ Administrative Coordinator and later transitioned to Critical Care Nursing. Watching people learn and develop into professionals drove Ward’s passion for learning and teaching, and he is extremely excited to be joining the Learning Institute as a full-time instructor with the RN Bridging/Re-Entry Program and has now transitioned to the Emergency Nursing Program. He is currently enrolled and taking his Master’s in Adult Education in Health at St. FX.

In his spare time, Ward can be found outside enjoying nature, listening to music, taking in the latest production at Neptune Theatre, or, during the winter months, in the curling rink throwing rocks at houses!

902-399-5564 | Ward.Phillips@nshealth.ca

Erin graduated from Dalhousie School of Nursing in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and quickly found her love of Emergency Nursing during a pivotal experience at the Cape Breton Regional Emergency Department. After graduating, she became one of the first entry-level nurses hired in an emergency department in Nova Scotia. She started her Emergency Nursing career at Valley Regional Hospital and completed the Emergency Nursing Program in 2009. In 2010, Erin returned to Cape Breton, where she held multiple roles—charge nurse, staff nurse, resource nurse, and eventually Clinical Nurse Lead—at the Cape Breton Regional Emergency Department. She enjoys sharing her passion for Emergency Nursing by mentoring nursing students, ENP learners, and paramedic students.

Erin took a brief hiatus from Emergency Nursing in 2020 to work in Baffin Island, Nunavut. There, she worked in nurse-led clinics in Arctic Bay and Kinngait, honing her critical thinking skills in challenging environments and immersing herself in Inuit culture. This experience deepened her understanding of the health care gaps Inuit communities face in Canada. Upon returning to Nova Scotia, Erin joined the QEII Emergency Department as a staff nurse, but soon missed her Cape Breton team. In 2021, she returned as Clinical Nurse Lead at the Cape Breton Regional Emergency Department. In August 2024, Erin joined the Learning Institute as an Instructor in the Emergency Nursing Program, eager to share her experiences, knowledge, and skills with the next generation of Emergency Nurses.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time with friends and family. She enjoys traveling the world, specifically for concerts with her partner Stephen, and her summer days are often spent boating on the Mira. A true giant breed dog enthusiast, Erin shares her home with Grohl, her lovable English Mastiff. Her journey into the world of gentle giants began with her two beloved big guys, Whistler a Saint Bernard and Barkley a Newfoundland, who hold a special place in her heart.

902-574-1203 | Erin.Dillon@nshealth.ca

Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Windsor in 2008 and began his career in the Emergency Department at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital. During his tenure there, Dan developed a deep appreciation for the unique symphony of chaos and order that defines emergency medicine and cultivated a passion for nursing education.

In 2009, Dan moved to Prince Edward Island, where he spent 12 years at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Emergency Department. He took on various roles, including preceptor, team lead, and educator, teaching critical courses including the Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) and the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). In 2016, Dan joined Bayshore Healthcare in Manitoba. After completing a Rural and Remote Nursing Course at Red River College, he worked as a locum travel nurse at nursing stations within Indigenous communities across northern Manitoba.

In 2021, Dan and his family relocated to Cape Breton, where he continued his career at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department. He completed the Emergency Nursing Program in 2022 and actively advocated for education and change as a member of the Emergency Department Workflow Committee.

In August 2024, Dan joined the Learning Institute as an instructor for the Emergency Nursing Program and is excited to educate and empower the next generation of emergency nurses. Outside of his professional commitments, Dan enjoys making memories with his wife and four young children camping, hiking, and exploring the beautiful beaches and landscapes of Nova Scotia.

902-574-2352 | Daniel.Tolman@nshealth.ca

Samantha Healy graduated from Mount Allison University with an Honors BSc in Psychology in 2010, followed by attending the Maritime School of Paramedicine. She worked as a Primary Care Paramedic in Nova Scotia for five years in the Western and Central zones. Samantha also proudly served on the Peer and Family Support Team during this time because of her commitment to caring for the care provider.

She later earned a BSc in Nursing from Dalhousie University in 2017, after which she returned home to the Annapolis Valley to work at the Valley Regional Hospital in the ICU. Samantha enjoyed the critical care aspect of the ICU, but she remained drawn to the unpredictable nature of emergency medicine. Samantha took on a Critical Care Float position to gain exposure to both worlds in the ED and ICU, but ultimately her love for emergency medicine won out when she joined the ED full-time as a staff and Charge Nurse.

Samantha completed the Emergency Nursing Program in 2024 and enjoyed the program so much she decided to become an Instructor! Samantha has always embraced any opportunity to share her knowledge and passion with fellow nurses and healthcare providers. She loves caring for patients and their families but also fellow nurses, helping them to reach their full potential. Samantha has always had a passion for orientating new staff and precepting students, helping to guide nurses on their journey from novice to expert.

When not at work, you can find Samantha wrangling her two young children, Louisa and Freddie. She also loves going on adventures with the kiddos, her husband, Steve, and their two dogs, Gally and Max.

902-599-7673 | Samantha.Healy@nshealth.ca

Latitia earned her BSc in Chemistry in 2014, followed by a BScN from Dalhousie University in 2019. She discovered her passion for emergency nursing during a co-op placement in the Emergency Department. After beginning her career on a medical unit, she transitioned to the Emergency Department at Colchester East Hants Health Center and she furthered her expertise by completing the Emergency Nursing Program at RNPDC, now known as the Nova Scotia Health Learning Institute.

Latitia's dedication to education, teaching, and leadership emerged through her role as a preceptor and her work with Dalhousie University. She served in various instructor roles within the Undergraduate Nursing Program, deepening her passion for educating others in nursing. Eager to expand her clinical knowledge, Latitia transitioned to the Intensive Care Unit briefly before becoming a Clinical Nurse Educator, focusing on supporting internationally educated nurses at Colchester. She now serves as an instructor with the Emergency Nursing Program, specifically in the Northern Zone.

Latitia is currently pursuing a Master of Adult Education with a concentration in Health at St. Francis Xavier University. Her commitment to lifelong learning, promoting inclusivity, and creating safe, supportive learning environments in nursing education fuels her dedication to shaping the next generation of emergency nurses.

Outside of work, Latitia enjoys traveling and spending time near the water. Summer is her favorite season, and she can often be found at the beach or lake on weekends.

902-324-8435 | Latitia.Pelley-George@nshealth.ca

Ashley began her nursing career in 2008 after graduating from the NSCC Practical Nursing Program. She worked as an LPN on Medicine, Palliative, and Transitional Care units while pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. FX University, graduating in 2011. Following her studies, Ashley worked on a medical-surgical unit in northern Newfoundland before returning to Nova Scotia in 2014 to join the Emergency Department at Aberdeen Regional Hospital. That same year, she completed the Emergency Nursing Program at the RNPDC, now known as the Learning Institute for Health Care Providers.

Throughout her career, Ashley has taken on several key roles, including Clinical Practice Lead in the Emergency Department, Infection Control Practitioner, and Clinical Nurse Educator, further expanding her knowledge and leadership in nursing.

In December of 2024, Ashley joined the Learning Institute as a Nursing Instructor for the Emergency Nursing Program. She believes in fostering a collaborative learning environment and is committed to professional development and supporting the growth of others in emergency nursing.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her partner Greg, their dogs and staying connected with friends and family.

782-440-7500 | Ashley.Larkin@nshealth.ca

Alyssa joined the Learning Institute in August 2024 as Program Administrative Officer supporting the Emergency Nursing Program. She has worked various roles within Nova Scotia Health since 2017, each one helping her develop new skills and expanding her knowledge. She graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.

Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys baking, travelling, and spending time with family. She also enjoys being active and taking her dogs for walks on the many beautiful trails of Nova Scotia.

902-399-6483 | Alyssa.Hiltz@nshealth.ca