Calling all nurses and other allied health professionals seeking professional development funding.
RhPAP’s Rural Education and Advanced Learning (REAL) Program opens for applications today, with registration running until June 19.
REAL was established to help rural health professionals continue their career development by offsetting some of the registration costs for courses that assist their clinical practice.
“It does tend to be more challenging for rural health professionals to access training because that training is often very centred and easier to access in the city,” explains Tana Findlay, RhPAP’s coordinator, strategy and stakeholders.
“These opportunities through REAL level the playing field and make sure that rural health professionals can keep their skills up to date and be able to provide the best healthcare possible to their clients.”
Those who apply must work at a primary care network, an out-of-scope or non-union position, in an independent or private practice, or as a clinical nurse educator, she noted.
Past recipients of REAL funding include registered and licensed practical nurses, dietitians, midwives, speech language pathologists, physiotherapists, social workers and therapists.
Some rural participants say they wouldn’t have been able to further their education without help from the program.
“Taking training as a rural, private practice clinician can be costly but the REAL program eased some of this burden by contributing to my training program,” says one participant in a follow-up survey.
“I will be recommending the REAL program to others within my community who may qualify for the opportunity.”
Another notes: “Going to school is costly, so receiving financial support is so valuable. It is so helpful for rural participants to have access to this support, particularly part-time students. Many scholarships offered are for full-time students, and there are limited opportunities that are applicable to rural students.”
Findlay says REAL not only benefits health professionals but local residents as well.
“Health professionals are appreciative because of what it allows them to do,” says Findlay.
“It makes them feel supported, able to pursue their own healthcare interests and to be able to provide better care for patients.”