Medical students

Medical school is demanding. It can be a challenge to balance school work, extracurricular activities, a part-time job, and self care – not to mention finding time to spend with your family and friends! Doctors Nova Scotia is here to help.

• Membership dues – As a student of Dalhousie Medical School, your DNS dues are paid by the Dalhousie Medical Student Society. 
• Member Benefits Guide – The comprehensive Member Benefits Guide summarizes all of the benefits and services available to Doctors Nova Scotia members.
• Student reception and welcome gift – Each year, DNS celebrates first-year medical students at Dalhousie and Nova Scotian students at Université de Sherbrooke at a special reception. Enjoy delicious food and drinks while you mix and mingle with your new colleagues, DNS Board members and DNS staff. Each student in attendance receives a welcome kit that includes a variety of tools for the future, including a stethoscope and reflex hammer.
• Student bursary – Each year, DNS awards deserving students with $5,000 bursaries to help fund their medical education. Applications open in September.
• Contract support – Are you considering signing a return of service contract? It’s a tempting offer, but there are things you should consider before you sign. Contact Kim Oakley, Physician Advisory Team Lead, for advice.
• Member discounts – Medical students are eligible for discounted disability insurance rates and free life insurance from OMA Insurance. You’re also eligible for group rates on car and home insurance through TD Insurance and discounted mobility from Telus. Medical students are also eligible for discounted rates from a range of local companies. Visit the Member Discounts webpage for more details.
• Professional Support Program – This free, confidential support program is available to help medical students, residents, practising and retired physicians and their family members who are experiencing personal or professional problems. Feeling overwhelmed? Struggling with substance abuse? Reach out – help is just a phone call away.
• Practice opportunities – It’s never too early to start thinking about employment. Keep an eye on our practice opportunities to see what kind of jobs are waiting for you. And check out practice opportunities posted by Nova Scotia Health.

Click here for an overview of the Doctors Nova Scotia benefits and services available for medical students. (Version française)

Residents

Your school days are behind you, but the learning’s not over yet. Doctors Nova Scotia can help with contract concerns, parental leave and other issues that might arise when you’re a resident. And when it’s time to transition to practice, get in touch – it’s quick and easy to convert to full membership and to join the association’s comprehensive extended health and dental plan.

• Membership dues – As a medical resident, your DNS dues are paid by Maritime Resident Doctors. When it’s time to wrap up your residency and apply for full membership, you just need to fill out a form.
• Member Benefits Guide – The comprehensive Member Benefits Guide summarizes all of the benefits and services available to Doctors Nova Scotia members.
• Contract support – Whether you’ve got a return of service contract or you’re considering an LFM, APP or C/AFP contract after finishing your residency, contact the Physician Advisor for your zone before you sign.
• Member discounts – Cover yourself, your practice and your debts with life and disability insurance from OMA Insurance. You’re also eligible for group rates on car and home insurance through TD Insurance and discounted mobility from Telus.
• Professional Support Program – This free, confidential support program is available to help medical students, residents, practising and retired physicians (and their family members) who are experiencing personal or professional problems. Feeling overwhelmed? Struggling with substance abuse? Reach out – help is just a phone call away.
• Extended health and dental coverage – Doctors Nova Scotia is one of only a few provincial/territorial medical associations to offer its members a comprehensive extended health and dental plan. It’s easy to convert upon finishing your residency. Here’s how.
• Parental leave – Expecting an addition to your family? Doctors Nova Scotia offers two options for paid parental leave for parents of newborn babies or parents who have just adopted a child.
• Practice resources – There’s more to running a medical practice than just adding patients to your roster. Learn about setting up a practice, get tips and tricks on efficient medical billing and find out everything you need to know about choosing an Electronic Medical Record. DNS offers on demand videos to support family physician billings. If you still have questions, our Physician Advisory Team is available to help. 
• Practice opportunities – Nova Scotia needs physicians. Whether you’re interested in touring the province as a locum, taking on a full family practice or becoming a clinical/academic specialist, our practice opportunities showcase the employment options available to physicians in the province. And check out practice opportunities posted by Nova Scotia Health.

Click here for an overview of the Doctors Nova Scotia benefits and services available for residents.