As part of the Ontario government’s long-term care staffing plan, they have released the details of the BEGIN program to support PSWs bridging to RPN and RPNs bridging to RNs. This is a generous program that provides tuition reimbursement for individuals enrolled in a recognized PSW-RPN or RPN-RN bridging program during application windows in 2022-2025. The details and application can be found here: Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing BEGIN Program Details.

Some of the program highlights:

• Eligible RPNs bridging to RN can receive tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum of $30,000.
• Eligible PSWs bridging to RPN can receive tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum of $15,000.
• Some BEGIN participants (based on demonstrated need) may also be eligible to receive additional financial support of up to $5,000 per year. This support is intended to assist with costs such as care for dependents, tutoring, and travel incurred while completing their educational program.
• To be eligible you must be enrolled in an accredited PSW-RPN or RPN-RN bridging program and are eligible regardless of how close to your graduation you are.
• For the Spring 2022 application window, all completed applications must be submitted before March 31, 2022.
• All participants will be required to provide one year of service in either HCC or LTC for each year, or portion of a year, they receive funding from the BEGIN program.

If you are interested and want to learn more, the BEGIN details can be found here: Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing BEGIN Program Details.

All of the current Ontario government supports for rewarding careers in long-term care, as part of the long-term care staffing plan, can be found here: Careers in long-term care, this includes more information on where bridging programs are being offered.

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