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On August 22, Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst became the first in Nova Scotia to host a trauma course designed to enhance emergency care for patients. The EPICC (Emergency Practice, Interventions, and Care – Canada) Trauma course, led by clinical nurse educators Megan Dempsey and Amy McMasters, alongside Trauma Nova Scotia’s clinical practice leader Jenna Faulkner, brought hands-on training to the emergency department team. The simulation-based course mirrors real-life trauma scenarios, allowing staff to sharpen their skills in responding to critical patient needs.
“When I first joined the training, I thought I was in the wrong place, but it ended up changing me as a nurse and a person. Watching nurses grow in their practice and strengthen how we handle trauma care is incredibly rewarding,” said Amy McMasters, clinical nurse educator for rural sites in the Northern Zone.
EPICC’s trauma program centres on practical, team-based learning. Teams worked through scenarios based on best practices and provincial guidelines, treating the exercises as if they were real patients presenting in the department. The course emphasizes clear communication and quick decision-making—two essential elements for ensuring the best outcomes for trauma patients.
Megan Dempsey, clinical nurse educator supporting emergency departments in the Northern Zone, led the course rollout, beginning with EPICC Foundations. After completing Foundations, staff are eligible for advanced courses like Trauma Care. “This course puts our teams in real-world situations, preparing them for the fast-paced, high-pressure realities of emergency medicine,” said Dempsey. “It’s all about improving care for the people we serve.”
The success of this course reflects months of preparation. Dempsey, McMasters and Faulkner attended a weeklong training session led by facilitators from British Columbia, learning to teach EPICC Foundations, Trauma Care, and Pediatrics. Bringing the trauma program to Nova Scotia marks a significant step forward in strengthening emergency care across the province.
Faulkner highlighted the impact: “This program allows us to meet the specific needs of each community while ensuring consistent trauma care across the province. I was impressed by the teamwork and dedication of the emergency department staff. It’s rewarding to help build a safer, more effective system for trauma patients.”
Six emergency department staff completed the course: Licensed practical nurses Justin Aylwar and Matthew Speight; registered nurses Emily Hudson and Allie Harris; and advanced care paramedics Robert Hudson and Emily MacLeod.
Hudson, advanced care paramedic, found the course particularly valuable. “The chest tube setup review was a big help. The next day, I handled a case and felt completely confident. It was a great experience,” he said.
This hands-on training reflects a commitment to improving emergency care. The EPICC program is currently being piloted in both Northern Zone and Central Zone.
Photo of clinical nurse educators Megan Dempsey and Amy McMasters, and Trauma Nova Scotia’s clinical practice leader Jenna Faulkner, with the emergency department staff who completed the course: Licensed practical nurses Justin Aylwar and Matthew Speight; registered nurses Emily Hudson and Allie Harris; and advanced care paramedics Robert Hudson and Emily MacLeod.