The Alberta government just announced that it will be spending $11 million to bring in more qualified nurses to Alberta. The funding will go towards nurse bridging programs to help train internationally educated nurses who play a crucial role in meeting the health care needs of Albertans. This initiative will help these nurses integrate more easily into communities across Alberta. This is necessary, especially given the shortage of healthcare professionals in the province.
These nurses will now have access to an additional 1,221 spaces at post-secondary institutions so that they can complete the programs they need for certification in Alberta. It includes:
848 new seats for registered nurses and
373 new seats for licensed practical nurses at nine postsecondary institutions across the province.
Here is a detailed breakdown:
$2.4 million – University of Lethbridge/Lethbridge College: 100 seats
$2.6 million – Lethbridge College partnering with Bow Valley College: 108 seats.
$0.5 million – Bow Valley College: 96 seats.
$0.5 million – Northwestern Polytechnic: 96 seats.
$0.5 million – Portage College: 96 seats.
$0.5 million – Keyano College: 96 seats.
$2.4 million – MacEwan University: 364 seats.
$0.5 million – Keyano College partnering with NorQuest College: 40 seats.
$0.6 million – Red Deer Polytechnic partnering with NorQuest College: 135 seats.
$0.4 million – NorQuest College: 90 seats
These new seats are being created over three years to help nurses who are trained in other countries become licensed to work and live in Alberta.
In addition to the funding for additional spaces, there was already a bursary program for eligible internationally educated nurses to be able to access as much as $30,000 over five years to offset the costs of nursing bridging programs, including tuition. The bursary is non-repayable for those who agree to live and work in rural Alberta as a nurse after graduation for a period of one year for every $6,000 in assistance provided. The bursary is intended to encourage international students to train to complete a term of nursing employment in a rural area in Alberta.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
live in Alberta;
have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number;
be enrolled in a full-time, bridging program as of January 1, 2023 at one of the above post-secondary institutions; and
sign a Return of Service Agreement to work in rural Alberta within 6-months of completing an eligible bridging program, and obtaining a professional certification to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse in the Province of Alberta.
Interested in securing admission into one of the Bridging Progam in Alberta, contact us at ask@infoplacecanda.ca. Or book a study in Canada Consultation to learn more about studying in Canada.