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Rural Health Professionals

Rural Education and Advanced Learning (REAL) Program

/Programs & Services/Continuing Professional Development/Rural Health Professionals/Rural Education and Advanced Learning (REAL) Program
Continuing Professional Development

Rural Education and Advanced Learning (REAL) Program

RhPAP’s REAL Program helps rural health professionals access continuing professional development, skills enrichment training and education opportunities that help them enhance the health care services in their communities.

This initiative is aimed at nurses, midwives, Nurse Practitioners, and allied health professionals working in rural Alberta in a PCN, out-of-scope/non-union position or independent/private practice.

REAL Program Funding

REAL Program funding may cover course or training fees, accommodations, mileage/travel expenses and course books/material costs. To promote rural workforce sustainability, a Return of Service Agreement may be required.

The program has been designed to be flexible. RhPAP recognizes that the health needs of rural communities vary between communities and that training opportunities need to be able to address these variances and the unique demands of rural practice. As such, REAL applicant funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Note: To support as many applicants as possible funding may be capped at $1000/per person/per funding year and as necessitated by funds available

REAL Program Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the REAL Program applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold an active practice license, and be in good standing, in Alberta through their applicable professional regulatory body. To view a list of the regulated health professions in Alberta go to https://www.alberta.ca/regulated-health-professions.aspx 
  • Currently live and practice in a rural Alberta community located outside the Census Metropolitan Area boundaries of Calgary or Edmonton, with a population of fewer than 15,000 people, or fall within Alberta’s North Zone
  • Work in rural Alberta in a PCN, out-of-scope/non-union position or independent/private practice, and have done so for at least six (6) consecutive months Provide the Letter of Support (template found below) from your employer (for non-union employees and those working out-of-scope) or a Letter of Recommendation from a professional reference (for those in private/independent practice)

Course or training requests must meet the following criteria:

  • Requests must support your clinical area of practice and be relevant to your current position
  • Applications are only accepted for courses starting within 6 months of your REAL application date
  • Note: only one course request per application is accepted

Applicants must agree to the following Terms and Conditions:

  • Commit to a Return of Service Agreement when applicable
  • Agree to repay funds if course is not successfully completed or Return of Service Agreement is not fulfilled
  • Participate in the evaluation of the REAL Program, and provide feedback as requested. Please note that feedback may be used at RhPAP’s discretion for program marketing purposes
  • Any other Terms and Conditions that may apply. These other Terms and Conditions will be as agreed upon between you and the Director, Health Professions

PLEASE NOTE: For Phase 2 of this pilot program (Spring 2021) some of our eligibility and funding criteria has changed. If you have questions, please email REAL@rhpap.ca 

Application Process

1. Ensure you meet the REAL Program eligibility criteria

2.  Collect the following information and documents:

  • A description of the proposed course or training, and how this will benefit your practice, your rural health care team and your rural community. NOTE: only one course request per application
  • A list of objectives you wish to achieve, at least one of which should highlight the benefit to your community
  • Course start and completion dates (you may estimate these dates if course is self-paced). NOTE: course must start within 6 months of your REAL application date
  • The cost of the course or training as well as any associated costs (books, materials, accommodations, mileage, etc.)
  • For employees, you must provide this Letter of Support template from a manager or supervisor. NOTE: Applications received without this signed template will not be accepted as complete
  • For those in private/independent practice, you must provide this Letter of Recommendation from a professional reference. A professional reference is defined as a healthcare professional in your community (For example: physician, nurse, social worker, physiotherapist, pharmacist) who can speak to the benefit of your course/program/training request. NOTE: Applications received without this signed template will not be accepted as complete

3. Complete the REAL Program Application Form online

  • Once you initiate the application form, you will have an option to save and continue later. The link that you receive to the form will remain active for 30 days. After 30 days or once you have submitted your application, you will no longer be able to make changes to your application

Upon receipt of your application, the REAL Program Team will review your request. You may be contacted with follow up questions. Successful applicants will be contacted within four weeks regarding the next steps. You may contact REAL@rhpap.ca at any time if you have questions or if your application is time sensitive.

We look forward to supporting you as you help keep health care close to home!

Eligible courses/education opportunities* may include:

*Inclusion of a course or training idea on this list does not guarantee approval of your application as many factors, including community need, service sustainability, and available funding, will be considered. This list is intended to serve as examples only.

Mount Royal University

University of British Columbia

University of Alberta

University of Calgary

University of Athabasca

SAIT

Red Deer College

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