As a BCNU member, ongoing education is an important part of your work life. The BCNU Members Education Bursary will help pay for some of your expenses while you upgrade your skills, whether it's over one day or several months.

Don't pass up learning opportunities just because you can't afford the cost. This fund is available to all BCNU members including Employed Student Nurses. You should check with your employer for other sources of funding. If the course is a requirement of your job, your employer must pay the costs. See your PCA Article 35 or Public Service Master Agreement Article 23.01.

Please contact BCNU if you need more information.

Education Qualifying for Bursaries

• Post basic clinical seminar, programs or conferences
  
  
• Courses designated to enhance personal or professional skills and abilities within an area of patient care or support
  
  
• Changes from current area of practice to a different area that supports patient care (i.e. long term care nurses who desire to change to acute care)
  
  
• Specialty training (i.e. to become an operating room or intensive care unit nurse)
  
  
• Career laddering (i.e. PCA to LPN, LPN to RN, Licensed Graduate Nurses to RN, etc.)
  
  
• RNs with diplomas seeking bachelors or masters degree in nursing or nursing education
  
  
• Upgrading English skills
  
  
• Upgraded computer skills that are relevant to your healthcare career

Courses in areas other than the above may qualify for bursary funding and members should contact BCNU to determine eligibility.

Eligibility for Bursaries

• All employed BCNU members are eligible for funding
  
  
• Prior to applying for this bursary, members should approach the Employer for other funding. Applications for funding will not be considered unless the "Other Funding" section of the application form has been completed.
  
  
• Preference will be given to first time applicants.
  
  
• The bursary is to cover expenses for education in the calendar year of the application only.
  • For example, conferences must occur in the same calendar year as the application. ie: if the conference is in 2012 - you can only apply in 2012.
  • Courses must commence in the same calendar year of the application. ie: if the course starts in 2012 - you can only apply in 2012.
    
    
• Members are eligible to apply once per calendar year.

Bursary Amounts

• The maximum amount awarded to members will be based on the total amount of funds available.
  
  
• Bursaries are for these four items only:
  • tuition
  • related text books
  • conference registration
  • mandatory course fees
    
    
• Travel and any other expenses other than the four listed above are not eligible for reimbursement.

Bursaries awarded to members will be according to the criteria established by Council and maybe subject to revisions as funds allow and number of applications received.

Application Process

Complete an online application.

• All the data submitted from the form is sent to us in a secure format.
  
  
• An email will be sent to you upon submission confirming receipt of your application. Should you not receive this email, please contact the Member Education Bursary.
  
  
• Social insurance Numbers are required for income tax purposes.

Award Process

• 2012 Applications will be opened in early January. Deadlines for 2012 are April 15th and September 15th.
  
  
• The BCNU Bursary Committee meets to review applications in May and October and decides on awards to BCNU members enrolled in accredited education programs.


• Results of the Committee's review will be sent to each applicant by mail only. These letters will be mailed in the weeks of May 15th and October 15th. Results will not be provided by email or over the phone.

Award Disbursement

• Once the applicant has been advised they have been approved for funding they must complete and mail to BCNU a completed Expense Form and verification of enrolment in program, course or conference (verification can include letter from the educational institution, verification of fees or tuition paid or transcript).
  
  
• Approval is based on the course(s)/conferences described on your application. Only receipts relating to the application submission will be accepted.