During the last round of NBA bargaining, the union was successful in negotiating a partial reimbursement of nurses’ college and licensing fees from employers. As part of the agreement, the union will be administering the reimbursement. BCNU members covered by the NBA collective agreement will be eligible for a $215 reimbursement for the 2021/2022 licence year.
Key Dates
- Friday, Feb 26: Registration renewal with the BC College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM) closes at 4:30pm
- Monday, March 1: BCNU's online applications for reimbursement opens at noon
- Monday, March 15: Reimbursement payouts begin
- Wednesday, June 30: Reimbursement application closes
What's new for 2021
The following changes are new to the 2021 reimbursement process:
- BCNU NBA members who applied for reimbursement last year AND consented to BCCNM sharing their licence renewal confirmation with BCNU during the registration process will not need to provide BCNU with registration proof of payment. This is intended to streamline the application and reimbursement process for members. Learn more about BCNU's efforts to streamline the process for members here.
- BCNU NBA members who are applying for reimbursement for the first time, or did not consent to BCCNM sharing their licence renewal confirmation with BCNU will need to provide proof of payment receipt during the reimbursement application process.
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Apply now on BCNU's Member Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to apply to receive the reimbursement?
BCNU is administering the college fee partial reimbursement as agreed upon in the
Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreement per Appendix GG. Eligible members are asked to apply so that we may verify your eligibility, and obtain your consent to receiving reimbursement, which may have tax implications.
Who is eligible?
Nurses from other provinces who are working in British Columbia are also eligible as long as they meet all the above criteria AND they complete the online application form for reimbursement.
Please note that Employed Student Nurses and Employed Student Psychiatric Nurses are not eligible for reimbursement.
What if I am currently on leave (maternity, WCB, LTD, other)?
Members currently on leave and returning to work at a later date during the 2021/2022 licensing year will still need to apply for reimbursement by June 30, 2021 and must provide BCNU with a copy of your practising registration renewal from the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) before Feb. 28, 2022. Members on leave will receive the full partial reimbursement upon their return to practicing license (the amount is not pro-rated based on return-to-work date).
How much is being reimbursed to each member?
BCNU NBA members will be reimbursed $215.
How will I be reimbursed?
You will be reimbursed by direct deposit only. Members will receive an email notification prior to the money being deposited.
Why do I need to provide BCNU with my banking information?
Due to the high volume of reimbursements, BCNU will only be offering reimbursements by direct deposit. In order to do this, we will require your banking information.
When will I receive my reimbursement?
Reimbursement will begin Monday, March 15, 2021. Members can expect to receive payment within 60 days of successfully submitting the online application.
How do I apply for reimbursement?
Beginning Monday, March 1, BCNU NBA members can log in to the Member Portal and complete the online application form. You may need the following information to successfully apply for your reimbursement:
- Official payment receipt from BC College of Nurses and Midwives for the renewal of your practice license for the 2021/2022 year*
- Your banking information for direct deposit (found on your personal cheque or obtained from your bank). All reimbursements will be paid by direct deposit only.
* BCNU NBA members who applied for reimbursement last year AND consented to BCCNM sharing their licence renewal confirmation with BCNU during the registration process will not need to provide BCNU with registration proof of payment. This is intended to streamline the application and reimbursement process for members.
Will my information be secure?
Yes. BCNU has taken all the necessary security precautions to ensure that any information entered online is encrypted and secure. Access to the information will be limited to a select few number of staff who will be responsibile for processing reimbursements.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline for members to apply is June 30, 2021.
Can I apply for the reimbursement by mail or in-person?
No. BCNU is only accepting applications online.
What if I work at an independent worksite?
Members working at independent worksites are not eligible for reimbursement. Current reimbursement is negotiated under the NBA provincial collective agreement and is only available to nurses covered by this contract.
I pay my annual college licence and registration fees monthly. Will I be eligible to receive the $215 reimbursement?
Yes. The payment option you select for your BCCNM renewal will not matter as long as you are eligible for reimbursement.
Will BCNU be issuing tax receipts or slips for the reimbursements?
No. Members are responsible for the tax reporting of the reimbursement received. We recommend you seek the advice of a tax professional if you have questions on how to report the reimbursement on your tax return.
What if I am an Employed Student Nurse or Employed Student Psychiatric Nurse?
Nurses that hold Employed Student Nurse or Employed Student Psychiatric Nurse registrations are not eligible for reimbursement.
What if I am a new graduate?
New graduate nurses who are BCNU members are eligible for the reimbursement as long as their practising registration is completed before the June 30, 2021 reimbursement deadline.
What if I am a new member starting in May or June 2021?
New members who start working in May or June 2021 may not have immediate access to the BCNU Member Portal. If you are a new member in May or June and do not have access yet, please contact
reimbursement@bcnu.org with your paystub including your full name, worksite, and employee ID by June 30, 2021.
What if I have two practice licenses?
Each member will receive reimbursement for one practice licence only. Members can indicate on the online application form for which license (e.g. LPN, RN, RPN) they are requesting their reimbursement.
Where can I find my BCNU member ID to log in to the Portal?
Members who receive the print copy of Update Magazine can find their member ID on the address label of the mailing envelope. If you do not receive a print copy of the magazine you can call BCNU’s Membership Department during business hours at 604-433-2268 or email membership@bcnu.org.