Recognized as one of Atlantic Canada's Top Employers (2025) and Nova Scotia's Top Employers (2025):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 31, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why Northwood was selected as one of Atlantic Canada's Top Employers (2025) and Nova Scotia's Top Employers (2025):
- Northwood helps employees plan for life after work with generous contributions to a defined contribution pension plan and offers phased-in work options to allow those nearing retirement to gradually reduce their hours
- Northwood's social committee, the Staff Morale and Recreation Team (SMART), organizes a variety of activities throughout the year, including foundation fundraising nights, holiday days filled with events, treats and games, and manages a dedicated fund to support employee-led team activities outside of work
- Northwood employees have access to a variety of amenities on the Bluefrog Business Campus, where the head office is located -- surrounded by lakes, walking trails and wildlife, the site includes a fitness centre with on-site classes, seasonal snowshoe rentals, bike parking, lockers and community gardens (with plots available for rent), as well as a full kitchen space available to staff

A Northwood team member

A Northwood team member

A Northwood team member
Highlights
Industry | Nursing care facilities |
Established in Canada | 1962 |
Major Canadian locations | Chester NS, West Hants NS, Halifax NS |
Full-time employees in Canada | 970 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 523 |
Average age of employees in Canada | 30 years |
Longest serving employee | 51 years |
Benefits note | Northwood has multiple employee groups, the following programs and policies may vary by position |
Flexible work options | hybrid work option, flexible work hours, telecommuting |
Long-term savings | defined-benefit (DB) pension, defined-contribution (DC) pension |
Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 65% of the premiums |
Mental health practitioner benefit | up to $1,500 each year |
Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 93% of salary for 6 weeks |
Parental top-up (mothers) | up to 93% of salary for 11 weeks |
Parental top-up (fathers) | up to 93% of salary for 11 weeks |
Adoption top-up | up to 93% of salary for 11 weeks |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Outside survey period | outside consultant surveys are held every 48 months |
Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 24 months |
In-house training initiatives | in-house training, online training, mentoring, leadership development programs, paid internships |
Related tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year |
The Career Directory
Northwood has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.

A Northwood staff member with a resident at the organization's Bedford campus

A Northwood staff member with a resident at the organization's Bedford campus

A Northwood staff member with a resident at the organization's Bedford campus
Highlights for New Grads
Industry | Nursing care facilities |
Full-time employees in Canada | 751 to 1,000 |
Major Canadian locations | Chester NS, West Hants NS, Halifax NS |
Student opportunities | paid internships, summer jobs, co-op opportunities |
Training | orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, leadership training |
Annual tuition maximum | employer pays up to $500 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year |
Typical new grad positions | Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, CCA |
Starting salary | $40K to $45K |
Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Science
- Nursing
-
Community College Diploma
- Nursing (RN)
- Nursing (RNA / RPN)
Recruits at these schools
- Acadia University
- Algoma University
- Algonquin College
- Cape Breton University
- Dalhousie University
- Eastern College
- Mount Saint Vincent University
- Nova Scotia Community College
- Saint Mary's University