Education
The Nursing Research Fund
The Nursing Research Fund provides funding for research that focuses on the management, organization and effectiveness of nursing human resources and services. This research supports the development of policy and programs that are designed to address key nursing issues such as recruitment, retention, nurse preparation, improvements to work environments, job satisfaction and utilization of the workforce.
In addition to seeking research that will support the development of practical policy solutions the Ministry is also interested in conducting formal evaluations of our existing nursing programs. This allows for refinement of the initiatives in order to ensure the government is able to meet the objectives of HealthForceOntario, the province’s health human resources strategy.
2007 NRF Awarded Projects Tuition Support Program for Nurses
The
Tuition Support Program for Nurses encourages new nursing graduates to work in rural and remote parts of the province. Nurses from rural and remote communities who are new registrants with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and who choose to work in an eligible underserviced community will be reimbursed for their tuition. If you are a nurse practitioner, registered nurse or registered practical nurse who graduated from a Canadian university or college since April 1, 2006, you are eligible to apply for tuition support.
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides funding to nurses for continuing education to increase their knowledge and professional skills to enhance quality of care and services provided within Ontario. The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO) administer this fund on behalf of the MOHLTC.
If you are a nurse in Ontario, you are eligible for up to $1,500 a year to offset the cost of continuing education. The funding can be used towards tuition or course fees, registration fees for conferences and certification examination fees charged by the Canadian Nurses Association.
To qualify for funding, you must provide proof of successful course completion or conference attendance.
Want more information?
- If you are a nurse practitioner or a registered nurse, contact the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) FAQ line: 1-866-464-4405 or e-mail to educationfunding@rnao.org.
- If you are a registered practical nurse, contact the RPNAO.
Clinical and Leadership Fellowships
This initiative is a mentoring program for nurses funded by the MOHLTC and administered by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) and the Registered Practical Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RPNAO). The program is aimed at developing and promoting nursing knowledge and expertise while improving care and outcomes for Ontarians including individuals, families, groups and communities. Participants partner with recognized nursing experts for an intensive learning experience that develops clinical, leadership or knowledge transfer expertise and skills in a chosen focus area.
Best Practice Guidelines
Ontario provides funding to the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario to develop, pilot, evaluate and share Best Practice Guidelines for nurses. Guidelines are reviewed every three years to ensure they reflect current evidence. Best Practice Guidelines help improve the quality and consistency of patient care across the province. They also support life-long learning for nurses. All completed and published guidelines can be downloaded free from the RNAO.
Critical Care Nursing E-Learning Program
HealthForceOntario requested applications from educational institutions interested in becoming a Hub of Excellence for Critical Care Nursing Education in Ontario. The successful applicant will receive funding through the ministry’s Critical Care Strategy to develop, implement and evaluate a Critical Care Nursing E-learning Program.
This new training option will complement existing training programs offered at community colleges and hospitals and will include:
- Interactive, web-based learning modules
- Didactic sessions with moderator
- Hands-on simulation modules delivered by colleges and hospitals
- Mentorship/Preceptorship in the sponsoring hospital
- Final examination via the organization offering the hands-on training
- Certification from the organization that delivered the final examination
Ontario will also provide funding for simulation labs in northern and rural areas to ensure this e-learning option is available to nurses across the province. The first modules for the training programs should be available to Ontario nurses in the fall of 2007.
Critical Care Nurse Training Funds
The $4.5 million Critical Care Nurse Training fund will increase the number of appropriately trained critical care nurses to the province, while giving hospitals the opportunity to ensure their staff and training programs meet new critical care standards.
During 2006/07, the program is open to hospitals running level 2 or level 3 Adult Critical Care Units. Up to $5,000 may also be available for equipment required for critical care nurse training. Applications were due at the end of October 2006, and training grants will be awarded in December 2006 and posted on this site.