Health-care assistants entering the access to practical nursing pathway program at NIC now have more financial support to advance their careers, build stronger futures and develop the skills needed to provide more comprehensive care to people throughout the province.

Health-care assistants entering the access to practical nursing pathway program at NIC now have more financial support to advance their careers, build stronger futures and develop the skills needed to provide more comprehensive care to people throughout the province.

The Province is providing a new $3-million bursary fund for health-care assistants registered in an Access to Practical Nursing (APN) pathway program from Sept. 1, 2021, to May 31, 2024, at North Island College and three other qualifying post-secondary institutions across BC.

Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, says the bursaries are making education more affordable and accessible for people to make the leap and upskill from health-care assistant positions to practical nursing.

Each eligible health-care assistant will receive $10,000 to cover the cost of the program, including tuition and fee costs.

Participants will be required to sign a 12-month return-of-service agreement, committing to work in the health-care system following graduation from the program.