Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN)

Return-in-service Commitment

This bursary is offered with the expectation that licensing and rural employment, through a public or private provider, is secured within six months of completing an approved bridging program.

Successful applicants must sign a return-in-service agreement to practise nursing in an eligible rural Alberta community. This return-in-service term will be calculated based on one year of full-time rural service for every $6,000 in bursary funding received. For the purposes of this program, full-time employment is considered to be 30 hours per week and can be comprised of one full-time position or multiple part-time positions.

Selection Process and Bursary Payment Timeline

Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants.

The first bursary payment will be issued once RhPAP has verified the eligible applicant’s current, full-time enrolment at a participating post-secondary institution and the applicant has signed a return-in-service contract. This payment will consist of the $3,500 fixed incentive and 50% of the tuition and living expense support.

The second bursary payment will be issued upon the successful completion of the bridging program or within 12 months of the first payment (upon confirmation of continued good standing within post-secondary institution), whichever happens first.

The BIEN program was made possible by funding from the Government of Alberta.