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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

135 seats

RDP gets $600,000 to help internationally trained nurses obtain Canadian certification

Oct 18, 2023 | 2:05 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic is receiving $600,000 from the provincial government to fund 135 seats in nurse bridging programs.

RDP’s programming is in partnership with NorQuest College.

The funding is part of a larger $11 million announcement from the government for these programs to help internationally educated nurses obtain Canadian certification.

“Adding additional seats for nurse bridging programs is a vital step towards addressing the growing demand for health care professionals in our province,” says Adriana LaGrange, Health Minister, and MLA for Red Deer-North. “Internationally educated nurses play a crucial role in meeting the health care needs of Albertans and this initiative will help them integrate more easily into communities across our province.”

Overall, the money will create 848 new registered nurse pathway seats and 373 new licensed practical nurse seats over three years for nurses trained in other countries.

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Another 600 were announced last February.

“The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA( supports the announcement of the investment to create additional seats in bridging programs for internationally educated nurses,” says Joy Peacock, CEO, CRNA. “The college looks forward to seeing the impact this has on strengthening the health care ecosystem in Alberta.”

• $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

According to the province, eligible internationally educated nurses can 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.