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In 1999, the Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund (NRRF) committee was established to assist with the recruitment and retention of Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Manitoba. The Minister of Health appointed the committee, to oversee the allocation of funds to ensure a stable supply of nurses.
The core committee is comprised of six members:
The six members of the committee have decision-making authority, however other staff persons from Manitoba Health support the work of the committee as required.
Manitoba Health:
Manitoba Nurses’ Union:
Employers:
NRRF Facilitator: Linh Chan
Since its inception, the NRRF has spent more than $15 million on strategies to recruit and retain nurses in Manitoba. Detailed information about NRRF initiatives is available in the Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund Progress Report.
In July 2004, the Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund (NRRF) implemented a Conditional Grant Program, to encourage new RN and RPN graduates to consider employment opportunities in rural Manitoba (i.e.: anywhere outside Winnipeg and Brandon ). As a result of this program, new graduates meeting the criteria receive a grant in the amount of $4000.
As of December 31, 2007, 265 rural vacancies had been filled, and the NRRF Conditional Grant Program had provided over $1.0 million as incentives to recruit nurses to the rural Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) of Manitoba and to retain Manitoba nursing graduates in the province.
Relocation assistance is one component of the “Come Home to Manitoba” campaign, which continues to offer funding up to $5,000 for nurses relocating to Manitoba. As of December 31, 2007, the NRRF had provided assistance to 973 individuals who had moved to Manitoba to work as nurses.
Year |
|||||||||
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
RN |
47 |
174 |
149 |
117 |
109 |
83 |
54 |
41 |
51 |
RPN |
2 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
LPN |
1 |
33 |
26 |
15 |
30 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
10 |
Total |
50 |
212 |
180 |
137 |
140 |
91 |
57 |
45 |
61 |
The NRRF has allocated more than $8.5 million to the Regional Health Authorities to support ongoing education for nurses, in addition to educational monies provided within collective agreements. Nurses may access these funds by contacting their Regional Continuing Education Committees. Examples of educational initiatives include specialty certifications, conferences, workshops, and university courses.
|
2001/02 |
2002/03 |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
Total |
Assinib. |
$188,430 |
$47,040 |
$90,572 |
$55,251 |
$55,251 |
$55,251 |
$65,001 |
$556,796 |
Brandon |
$190,512 |
$47,628 |
$91,704 |
$55,941 |
$55,941 |
$55,941 |
$65,813 |
$563,481 |
Burntwood |
$61,446 |
$15,361 |
$29,577 |
$18,043 |
$18,043 |
$18,043 |
$21,227 |
$181,739 |
Central |
$257,544 |
$64,386 |
$123,970 |
$75,624 |
$75,624 |
$75,624 |
$88,969 |
$761,742 |
Churchill |
$10,000 |
$2,500 |
$4,814 |
$2,937 |
$2,937 |
$2,937 |
$3,455 |
$29,579 |
Interlake |
$215,796 |
$53,949 |
$103,874 |
$63,365 |
$63,365 |
$63,365 |
$74,548 |
$638,263 |
NorMan |
$59,388 |
$14,847 |
$28,587 |
$17,439 |
$17,439 |
$17,439 |
$20,516 |
$175,654 |
North Eastman |
$75,852 |
$18,963 |
$36,512 |
$22,273 |
$22,273 |
$22,273 |
$26,204 |
$224,350 |
Parkland |
$117,306 |
$29,326 |
$56,466 |
$34,446 |
$34,446 |
$34,446 |
$40,525 |
$346,960 |
South Eastman |
$99,078 |
$24,769 |
$47,692 |
$29,093 |
$29,093 |
$29,093 |
$34,227 |
$293,046 |
Winnipeg |
$1,619,646 |
$404,911 |
$779,624 |
$475,588 |
$475,588 |
$475,588 |
$559,515 |
$4,790,460 |
Total |
$2,894,998 |
$723,680 |
$1,393,392 |
$850,000 |
$850,000 |
$850,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$8,562,070 |
The NRRF has allocated “one-time” funding of more than $3.2 million to support a range of specialty nursing programs and projects within the province. Specialty programs/project funding has helped nurses to enter, and to remain in Manitoba’s nursing workforce. Examples of programs funded include:
Applications and information regarding nursing initiatives are available on this site or can be obtained from the Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund Line at (204) 786-7393 or 1-(877) 681-4983.
The Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund is continuing to explore innovative and exciting strategies to address nursing supply issues in this province. The NRRF committee values the input and ideas of Manitobans regarding future directions and strategies for consideration.
For more information, please contact: |
Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund Line
The Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund Committee is made up of representatives of the Regional Health Authorities, the Manitoba Nurses' Union, and Manitoba Health. |