Manitoba Health

2008 Fund Update

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 NRRF Committee members:

1. Make recommendations to the Minister of Health regarding new NRRF strategies;
2. Consult broadly with the community of nurses;
3. Develop policies and allocate funds for approved programs or activities;
4. Monitor and evaluate the use of funds and policies on an on-going basis.

The core committee is comprised of six members:

• two representatives designated by the Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU);
• two employer representatives and;
• two representatives of Manitoba Health (one rep from Workforce Policy & Planning [WPP], one from Regional Support Services [RSS]).

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.

The current NRRF committee membership consists of:

Manitoba Health:

• Jerry Ross (Chair)
• Teresa Mrozek (RSS)

Manitoba Nurses’ Union:

• Sandi Mowat (MNU)
• Leona Barrett  (MNU)

Employers:

• Jan Currie (WRHA)
• Kathy McPhail (RHAM)

NRRF Facilitator: Linh Dang

NRRF INITIATIVES

Since its inception, the NRRF has spent more than $22 million on strategies to recruit and retain nurses in Manitoba. Detailed information about NRRF initiatives is available in the Manitoba Nursing Strategy: Eight Year Progress Report.

RECRUITMENT

CONDITIONAL GRANT:

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, 2008, 368 rural vacancies had been filled (305 RNs, 14 RN(EP)s, 32 RPNs, and 17 LPNS), and the NRRF Conditional Grant Program had provided over $1.4 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:

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, 2008, the NRRF had provided assistance to 1,066 individuals (907 RNs, 26 RPNs, 133 LPNs) who had moved to Manitoba to work as nurses.

PERSONAL CARE HOME GRANT:

In response to the proposed enhancements to the hours of direct care for residents in personal care homes, NRRF has established a grant to assist in addressing the workforce requirements to recruit nurses to work in personal care homes for a return of service commitment.  This is being offered in the form of a Personal Care Home (PCH) Grant.  As of December 31, 2008, there have been 41 recipients of this grant; 13 RNs, 1 RPN, and 27 LPNs.

FUNDING FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION:

The NRRF has allocated more than $9.7 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.

Annual Continuing Education Allocations

	2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09	Total
Assinib.	$188,430	$47,040	$90,572	$55,251	$55,251	$55,251	$65,001	$78,000	$634,796
Brandon	$190,512	$47,628	$91,704	$55,941	$55,941	$55,941	$65,813	$78,980	$642,460
Burntwood	$61,446	$15,361	$29,577	$18,043	$18,043	$18,043	$21,227	$25,470	$207,210
Central	$257,544	$64,386	$123,970	$75,624	$75,624	$75,624	$88,969	$106,760	$868,501
Churchill	$10,000	$2,500	$4,814	$2,937	$2,937	$2,937	$3,455	$4,150	$33,730
Interlake	$215,796	$53,949	$103,874	$63,365	$63,365	$63,365	$74,548	$89,460	$727,722
NorMan	$59,388	$14,847	$28,587	$17,439	$17,439	$17,439	$20,516	$24,620	$200,275
North Eastman	$75,852	$18,963	$36,512	$22,273	$22,273	$22,273	$26,204	$31,440	$255,790
Parkland	$117,306	$29,326	$56,466	$34,446	$34,446	$34,446	$40,525	$48,630	$395,591
South Eastman	$99,078	$24,769	$47,692	$29,093	$29,093	$29,093	$34,227	$41,070	$334,115
Winnipeg	$1,619,646	$404,911	$779,624	$475,588	$475,588	$475,588	$559,515	$671,420	$5,461,880
Total	$2,894,998	$723,680	$1,393,392	$850,000	$850,000	$850,000	$1,000,000	$1,200,000	$9,762,070

Total Continuing Education Funding: $9,762,070

 

FUNDING FOR SPECIALTY PROGRAMS/PROJECTS:

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:

• Intensive Care Unit Courses
• Perioperative Programs
• Emergency Room Programs

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.