Manitoba Health

2010 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);
• one representative designated by the Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU);
• two employer representatives and;
• two representatives of Manitoba Health (one rep from Health Workforce Strategies [HWS], one from Regional Programs and Services [RPS]).

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:

• Liz Ambrose (Acting Chair)
• Teresa Mrozek (RPS)

Manitoba Nurses’ Union:

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

Manitoba Government Employees Union:

• Sheila Gordon

Employers:

• Lori Lamont (WRHA)
• Kathy McPhail (RHAM)

NRRF Facilitator: Linh Dang

NRRF INITIATIVES

Since its inception, the NRRF has spent more than $27 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, 2010, 579 (430 RNs, 2 RN(EP)s, 52 RPNs, and 95 LPNS), and the NRRF Conditional Grant Program had provided over $2.3 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, 2010, the NRRF had provided assistance to 1,429 individuals (1,234 RNs, 2 RN (EP), 35 RPNs, 158 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, 2010, there have been 220 positions (109 RNs, 10 RPNs, 101 LPNs) filled.

FUNDING FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION:

The NRRF has allocated more than $12.1 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

	2001/2002	2002/2003	2003/2004	2004/2005	2005/2006
Assiniboine	$188,430	$47,040	$90,572	$55,251	$55,251
Brandon	$190,512	$47,628	$91,704	$55,941	$55,941
Burntwood	$61,446	$15,361	$29,577	$18,043	$18,043
Central	$257,544	$64,386	$123,970	$75,624	$75,624
Churchill	$10,000	$2,500	$4,814	$2,937	$2,937
Interlake	$215,796	$53,949	$103,874	$63,365	$63,365
NorMan	$59,388	$14,847	$28,587	$17,439	$17,439
North Eastman	$75,852	$18,963	$36,512	$22,273	$22,273
Parkland South	$117,306	$29,326	$56,466	$34,446	$34,446
Eastman	$99,078	$24,769	$47,692	$29,093	$29,093
Winnipeg	$1,619,646	$404,911	$779,624	$475,588	$475,588
Total	$2,894,998	$723,680	$1,393,392	$850,000	$850,000
	2006/2007	2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010	2010/2011
Assiniboine	$55,251	$65,001	$78,000	$78,000	$78,000
Brandon	$55,941	$65,813	$78,980	$78,980	$78,980
Burntwood	$18,043	$21,227	$25,470	$25,470	$25,470
Central	$75,624	$88,969	$106,760	$106,760	$106,760
Churchill	$2,937	$3,455	$4,150	$4,150	$4,150
Interlake	$63,365	$74,548	$89,460	$89,460	$89,460
NorMan	$17,439	$20,516	$24,620	$24,620	$24,620
North Eastman	$22,273	$26,204	$31,440	$31,440	$31,440
Parkland South	$34,446	$40,525	$48,630	$48,630	$48,630
Eastman	$29,093	$34,227	$41,070	$41,070	$41,070
Winnipeg	$475,588	$559,515	$671,420	$671,420	$671,420
Total	$850,000	$1,000,000	$1,200,000	$1,200,000	$1,200,000
Total Continuing Education Funding: $10,962,070

 

FUNDING FOR SPECIALTY PROGRAMS/PROJECTS:

The NRRF has allocated “one-time” funding of more than $2.5 million as of the 2010/11 fiscal year 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.