KAWARTHA LAKES-The Ontario government says it is investing $57.6 million over the next three years to recruit and retain up to 225 additional nurse practitioners in the long-term care sector. 38 of them in 2022/23.
“Today’s investment supports our plan to bolster staffing in long-term care and continue to address the need for more health care capacity across the sector,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Recruiting and retaining more nurse practitioners will not only improve health outcomes for our residents but also provide opportunities for growth and learning for staff within long-term care homes.”
Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have an advanced university education and who may work in the long-term care sector as part of a health care team that develops, implements, and evaluates residents’ care plans according to the province.
As part of the program, long-term care homes can request funding for eligible employment expenses – including salary, benefits, and overhead costs – for newly hired nurse practitioners. The funding also provides up to $5,000 in relocation support for nurse practitioners who are hired to work full-time in rural communities and who have agreed to provide a minimum of 12 months of service
For 2022-23, the Ministry of Long-Term Care is funding the enrollment of 38 additional students into the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP) program, starting in September 2022. The PHCNP is an advanced nursing education program offered through a partnership between nine Ontario universities and the Ministry of Health.
