Recent nursing graduates in New Brunswick won’t have to pay first-time registration fees, the provincial government announced Monday.
Officials said in a news release it’s the latest collaboration between the provincial government and the Nurses Association of New Brunswick.
The province has committed $2.7 million over five years toward the initiative, which aims to enhance accessibility for applicants from within and outside the province.
It means each recent graduate who registers with the association will save about $500.
“Working with the Nurses Association of New Brunswick to reduce the barriers for nurses entering the profession is one more way we are working to increase staffing,” said Health Minister Bruce Fitch.
The initiative comes after the government and association also waived first-time registration fees and reduced financial barriers for internationally-trained nurses.
Fitch said the increased staffing will benefit patients, and ensures other health-care workers are part of what he calls a “well-resourced team.”
“We are encouraged by the exponential growth in the number of students enrolled in nursing programs here in the province,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Arlene Dunn, noting enrolment has increased more than 90 per cent in five years.
Dunn said eliminating financial barriers nurtures a “diverse and skilled” nursing workforce.
Denise LeBlanc-Kwaw, the association’s CEO and registrar, said the agreement is a testament to the shared vision of creating a good environment for aspiring nurses.
“We are immensely grateful for the collaborative spirit that has brought about this positive change,” she said.
