Applications are now available for 20 nursing student sponsorships which will provide nursing students with assistance of up to $2,400 per year with their tuition costs.
Eligible students are those who have completed their second or third year of a recognized Canadian Bachelor Degree in Nursing program. Sponsored students are required to work in Prince Edward Island for at least one year following graduation.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised that the sponsorships are one of several initiatives contained in the Province's nursing recruitment and retention strategy to attract new nurses and retain existing nurses in the PEI health system. "By providing more incentives for new nurses to practice in our health system, we hope to retain more of our own nursing graduates in the province," said the Minister.
Priority will be given to sponsorship program applicants who are residents of Prince Edward Island and have outstanding scholastic achievement combined with solid employment or volunteer experience.
Other initiatives in the $6 million nursing strategy announced in May include the creation of 60 new registered nurse positions, summer student employment programs, new clinical education resources, and refresher program cost reimbursement.
Sponsorship program applications are now available by visiting the Department of Health and Social Services, 11 Kent Street, Charlottetown, or by calling 902 368 4927.