Nursing and PSW students are eligible to apply for $10,000 tuition reimbursement from the BEGIN program.

The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario’s (WeRPN) Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing (BEGIN) program is offering nursing students up to $10,000 per year in tuition reimbursements. 

The tuition grant is provided to students who are enrolled in or have been accepted in an accredited PSW-RPN, RPN-RN, or PSW-RN program. The program aims to retain people in healthcare by funding their education as well as providing a guaranteed job following graduation.  

The program is funded by the government and is one of the many other programs at WeRPN. The association has been the voice of registered practical nursing for over 60 years. 

Dianne Martin, CEO of WeRPN says the program stems from her own experiences. Martin recalls moving to a Registered Nursing Program after 16 years as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).  

“I thought about several options and there was a Registered Nursing program that was available to me in my community whereas I would have had to drive out of my community to study other things. I know that many people will choose to stay in the profession if they have educational opportunities, so we thought about how we can use that idea in a program.” 

The BEGIN program stems from this idea to support nurses financially during their study such that they can work in nursing sectors that have the most need. Martin said that if given an opportunity, she sees the potential for people to choose nursing and stay in nursing. 

Martin recently received an honorary postgraduate certificate in Registered Practical Perioperative Nursing from George Brown College for her contribution in advocating for college students in nursing and related fields.  

She was also a keynote speaker on the final day of the convocation ceremony this summer. 

“I have spent these final years of my career advocating for college graduates. There’s lots of attention paid to university graduates but the contributions of graduates from colleges are every bit as important. So, I could not be more pleased than to receive this honorary perioperative nursing certificate. It’s an area of practice that I’ve had in my career. And I just think it was very kind of George Brown College to recognize me in that way,” she said. 

Applicants who fulfil eligibility requirements for the BEGIN program can sign up by choosing a sector they wish to work in during their return of service. Successful applicants will be able to receive up to $10,000 for three years or graduation, without having to reapply.  

Students who have not graduated yet may also get their final year’s tuition fee reimbursement if successful. 

“It’s been a tough time in nursing and in all the other health professions that are educated at George Brown. But I just want to reassure everyone that this really is just a moment in time that will pass and there will once again be enough nurses and a working environment that is conducive to doing the job in a way that’s very satisfying,” said Martin. 

More information on eligibility and application details can be found on WeRPN’s website.