Rural Education and Advanced Learning (REAL) Program

REAL Applications are open May 2 to June 12, 2022! All applications will be reviewed after June 12. Applicants will be advised of their application status by July 12, 2022.

RhPAP’s REAL Program helps rural health professionals access continuing professional development 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 primary care network, out-of-scope/non-union position, or independent/private practice.

REAL Program Funding

REAL Program funding may be applied for upon successful completion of a course or training. Reimbursement may cover course or training fees, and course books/material costs. To promote rural workforce sustainability, a Return of Service Agreement may be required.

REAL 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.

To support as many applicants as possible funding may be capped per person/per funding cycle and as necessitated by funds available.

REAL Program Eligibility Criteria

PLEASE NOTE: Some of our eligibility and funding criteria has changed for 2022

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

Reimbursement for course or training must meet the following criteria:

Applications are only accepted for courses that have been successfully completed within the calendar year
Course must support your clinical area of practice and be relevant to your current position
Only one course or training per application can be submitted
Must not have recieved any funding for this course or training from another source

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

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:

Certificate of Completion or proof of successful completion of course or training. Must have been completed in the current calendar year
Invoice or reciept for the course or training (and book if applicable) from the provider AND that shows paid in full
A description of the course or training, and how this will benefit your practice, your rural health care team and your rural community

3. Complete the REAL Program Application Form online – REAL Applications are open May 2 to June 12, 2022

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. Applicants will be contacted within four weeks of application closing date as to the stutus of application.

You may contact REAL@rhpap.ca at any time if you have questions. 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

Rural & Remote Nursing Certificate

University of Alberta

University of Calgary

Frontline Leaders Certification

University of Athabasca

SAIT

Red Deer College

Rural Education and Advanced Learning (REAL) Program

Continuing Professional Development

REAL Applications are open May 2 to June 12, 2022! All applications will be reviewed after June 12. Applicants will be advised of their application status by July 12, 2022.