The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Announces Program to Help Attract New Nurses to the Profession

To complement ongoing recruitment activities, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is introducing a new tuition relief program for nursing students at select campuses.  For students entering nursing in September 2024, the new program will help attract interest in nursing programs and support students through tuition assistance as early as entry.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will be available to media today (June 7) to discuss the initiative at 11:30 a.m. Minister Osborne will be joined by Dr. April Pike, Interim Dean, Memorial University Faculty of Nursing; Debbie Walsh, Vice President, Centre for Nursing Studies, NL Health Services; and Cheryl Dyke, Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences, College of North Atlantic. The availability will take place at the Confederation Building, West Block, Department of Health and Community Services lobby, To participate, media are asked to RSVP Tina Coffey (tcoffey@gov.nl.ca).

This initiative includes more than $2 million over a two-year period to students who are starting the first year of nursing programs. Students are eligible to receive up to $8,000 tuition relief during the first two years of their program. This funding will be provided to the post-secondary education institutions and will help to further reduce tuition costs for nursing students.

Tuition relief is available for:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing students at satellite nursing sites in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
• Practical nursing students at the Centre for Nursing Studies; and
• Practical nursing students at College of North Atlantic.

More information about this program and the wide range of bursaries and incentives available for students and health care professionals looking to explore a career in Newfoundland and Labrador is available by visiting www.WorkInHealthNL.ca or emailing the Provincial Office of Health Professional Recruitment and Retention at recruit@WorkinHealthNL.ca.

Budget 2024 includes $10 million to continue recruitment and retention of health care professionals.

Quotes

“The retention and recruitment of nurses, and all health care professionals, is a priority for our government.  Our approach has been focused on recruiting locally, nationally, and globally and through this new tuition incentive we are hopeful to attract new nurses to study, and eventual work, in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“On behalf of College of the North Atlantic, we extend our gratitude to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for implementing this tuition grant for practical nursing students. This initiative not only eases the financial burden on aspiring nurses but also empowers them to pursue their passion for healthcare while removing some of the financial barriers. This support is a vital investment in the future of our healthcare system, ensuring that we continue to cultivate skilled and dedicated nurses who will make a profound difference in our province.”
Dr. Barbara Elliott
Dean of Health Sciences, College of North Atlantic

“This is an excellent opportunity for more applicants across Newfoundland and Labrador to start their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor and Happy Valley-Goose Bay this fall.”
Dr. April Pike
Interim Dean, Memorial University Faculty of Nursing

“NL Health Services welcomes government’s investment in students, practical nursing education, and the nursing workforce in Newfoundland and Labrador. Providing targeted financial incentives will support students in completing the practical nursing program in one of the multiple sites across our province and will help support the delivery of quality health care in our province.”
Debbie Walsh
Vice President, Centre for Nursing Studies, NL Health Services.

Source: gov.nl.ca