More Nurses Will Benefit from Student Loan Forgiveness
The provincial government is expanding the Saskatchewan Loan Forgiveness for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners program to five mid-sized communities. The newly eligible communities are Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton and The Battlefords.
“We need every one of our nurses to serve the needs of residents across Saskatchewan, through their skill, their leadership and their compassion,” Advanced Education Minster Gordon Wyant said. “This expansion will help with recruitment and retention efforts and is a positive step forward in addressing the need for more nurses in our communities.”
This initiative supports Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources Action Plan by providing incentives to work in areas of the province with high recruitment needs. Previously, eligible applicants must have been working in a designated rural or remote community with a population of less than 10,000.
“This initiative will not only alleviate financial burden but also encourage myself and other nursing students to see a future where we can stay and serve our community of Prince Albert as registered nurses,” University of Saskatchewan fourth year registered nursing student Precious Alozie said.
Nurses and nurse practitioners who have started employment in the newly designated communities on or after January 1, 2023, may be eligible to receive up to $20,000 of Saskatchewan student loan debt forgiveness.