Nursing Recruitment and Retention Fund Grants

To recruit nurses to work in a recognized bilingual/ francophone facility or program, the NRRF supports the allocation of funding to eligible Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) for a return of service commitment.

The eligibility criteria for the Bilingual/French Nursing Grant are as follows:

• Bilingual/Francophone Nurses (LPNs, RNs, RPNs, NPs) with an active practice license. Graduate Nurses are eligible and must provide approval from the respective regulatory college to practice as a Graduate Nurse.
• Bilingual/Francophone Nurses must be newly hired to a position where bilingualism/French language is a requirement and have not been employed in any such position in the 6 months prior to the grant application.
• Confirmed employment as a direct caregiver by an approved employer in a permanent or term position for a duration of at least one year and 0.6 EFT or higher.
• Acceptance of and compliance with the conditions of a return of service commitment of 12 months.
• The Bilingual/French Requirement Nursing Position Grant can be received in conjunction with other financial assistance from the Fund, such as Conditional Grant, Personal Care Home Grant, and Relocation Assistance. However, the return-of-service for any combination will be consecutive.

Resources:

• Bilingual/French Nursing Grant Policy
• Bilingual/French Nursing Grant Application Form
• Employer Verification of Incomplete Service agreement for terminated employees

Recipients meeting the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for a grant in the amount of $3,000. For further information, please contact the Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund Line.

The Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund Committee is made up of representatives of the Regional Health Authorities, the Manitoba Nurses’ Union, the Manitoba Government Employees Union, and Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living.

This program was established to encourage new graduates to relocate to rural communities in Manitoba, subsequently reducing the number of rural nursing vacancies.

In order to qualify for the conditional grant, the applicant must:

• Be a recent graduate from an approved program and within six months of initial registration as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Registered Nurse Extended Practice (RNEP).
• Be willing to relocate to a site in rural or northern Manitoba (outside of Winnipeg or Brandon).
• Have written confirmation of employment in a permanent or term nursing position of 0.6 equivalent full time (EFT) or higher. Casual positions do not qualify for the grant.
• Be willing to return service for a period of twelve months.
• Be a Manitoba nursing graduate.
• Submit application forms and all documentation to the Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund, within 6 months of initial registration with their nursing college as an RN, RPN, LPN, or RNEP.

Recipients meeting the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for a grant in the amount of $8,000.

Resources:

• Conditional Grant Policy
• Conditional Grant Application Form
• Employer Verification of Incomplete Service Agreement

All applications for NRRF Continuing Education funding must come from the Regional Continuing Education Committees. Please contact your RHA Nursing CME contact from the list below.

RNs and LPNs working in designated Obstetrical Units in Northern Manitoba (St. Anthony’s General Hospital, The Pas and Thompson General Hospital) are eligible for a retention incentive.

In order to qualify for the incentive in the qualifying year (2024 and/or 2025), the applicant must:

• Occupy a 0.7FTE or greater position; and
• Work in a designated eligible Obstetrical Unit; and
• Be employed as of March 31, 2024 and/or March 31, 2025.

Nurses meeting all eligibility criteria will receive $4,000 for each eligible year (Year 1 – April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024; Year 2 – April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025).

More information.

In response to the proposed enhancements to the hours of direct care for residents in personal care homes, NRRF has established a grant to assist in addressing the workforce requirements to recruit nurses to work in personal care homes for a return of service commitment. This is being offered in the form of a Personal Care Home (PCH) Grant.

The eligibility criteria for the PCH Grant are as follows:

• Nurses (RNs, RN-EPs, or LPNs) with an active practice license. Graduate nurses are eligible and must provide approval from the respective regulatory college to practice as a graduate nurse.
• Nurses must be newly hired, and have not been employed in any personal care home in the last 6 months.
• Confirmed employment as a direct caregiver by an approved employer in a permanent or term positions for a duration of at least one year and 0.6 EFT or more. Approved employers are personal care homes that are licensed by the province of Manitoba.
• Acceptance of and compliance with the conditions of a return of service commitment of 12 months.
• The Personal Care Home Grant, which began January 1, 2008, can be received in conjunction with other financial assistance from the Fund, such as Conditional Grants and Relocation Assistance. However, the return-of-service for any combination will be consecutive.

Recipients meeting the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for a grant in the amount of $4,000.

Resources:

• PCH Grant Policy
• PCH Grant Application
• PCH Grant – Employer Verification of Incomplete Service Agreement
• PCH Grant – List of Personal Care Homes

Financial assistance for up to 80% of course costs (up to a maximum of $2,000) per individual are available to complete nursing refresher programs, and are offered by distance education.

For information regarding the programs or the registration process, please contact your professional licensing body (CRNM, CLPNM, CRPNM) and the following applicable educational institution:

• RN Refresher Program:
  Red River College
  Phone: 204-632-2303
• LPN Refresher Program:
  Assiniboine Community College
  Phone: 204-725-8700 ext 6881
• RPN Refresher Program (multiple sites)

In order to qualify you require:

• Review of qualifications by professional licensing body
• Acceptance into refresher program at applicable educational institution
• Agreement to work in Manitoba in a full time or part time nursing position for one year upon successful completion of refresher program

Resources:

• RN, RPN and LPN Refresher Program Policy
• Refresher Application Form

The “Come Home to Manitoba” campaign was established to support recruitment of nurses to Manitoba, offering relocation assistance, up to $5,000 for nurses who come to this province to work.

In order to qualify for relocation assistance, the applicant will require:

• Confirmed Full or Part time employment (minimum .6 EFT) in an approved permanent, or term nursing position of at least one-year duration. Casual positions are not eligible.
• Confirmed nursing position as a direct caregiver or first level nursing manager with an approved employer in Manitoba.
• Evidence of licensure with applicable nursing college.
• Applicants are required to have successfully passed their Canadian licensing exams, and must provide evidence of registration as an active practicing Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse prior to being approved for Relocation Assistance.
• Applicants must agree to work in a nursing position in Manitoba for a minimum of one year.
• Applicants must apply for funding within one year of moving to Manitoba.
• Applicants returning to Manitoba must have resided outside of the province for a minimum of one year.

Upon approval of the application, relocation assistance is calculated utilizing a formula that includes a base amount, mileage, and number of individuals moving.

Resources:

• Relocation Grant Application Form
• Relocation Grant – Policy
• Employer Verification of Incomplete Service Agreement

Targeting both the recruitment and retention of nurses, the Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund (NRRF) has allocated ‘one-time’ funding for a range of specialty programs and projects that help nurses enter, or remain in, Manitoba’s nursing workforce.

In partnership with a wide variety of nursing stakeholders, the NRRF has provided funding for numerous specialty nursing education programs and projects throughout the province. NRRF-allocated funds have gone to RHAs and educational institutes to develop programs, assisted with books and tuition costs, and provided stipends for nurses. A key way to retain nurses was through return of service commitments agreed to by the nurses. While all projects were integral to improving nursing resources throughout the province, NRRF funding varied based on the specific program, RHA and educational institute..

Resources:

• Specialty Programs/Projects – Policy
• Specialty Programs and Courses Reporting Template
• Specialty Programs and Courses Request for Funding Template