Bursaries and Funding

BCNU offers different education bursaries, scholarships and financial support throughout the year for dues-paying members, student nurses and internationally educated nurses.

Member Bursaries and Funding

• Debra McPherson Member Education Bursary
• Indigenous Member Bursary
• Strategic Priorities Education Fund

Student Bursaries, Internationally Educated Nurse Bursaries and Scholarship Fund  

• Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary
• Indigenous Member Bursary
• Internationally Educated Nurse Bursary
• Student Nurse Advocacy Bursary
• Student Nurse Education Bursary
• Student Nurse With Disability Bursary
• Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Scholarship Fund

Funding and Financial Support

• Evelyn Hood Benevolent Fund
• Humanitarian Mission Fund
• LPN/RN/RPN Exam Preparation Courses
• LPN to RN/RPN Laddering Fund
• NBA Hardship Assistance
• New Nurse Assistance Fund
• Supplemental Mental Health Benefit

Training and Licensing Investments

BCNU has negotiated a provincial investment of $68.1 million to bolster and support the growth of new nurses in BC. These funds are administered by the provincial government, not BCNU. This includes:

Nursing-Student Tuition Credit

Between September 2023 and August 2026, students enrolled in public post-secondary practical nursing programs and bachelor of science in nursing and psychiatric nursing will receive an annual tuition credit of $2,000. Indigenous students receive an additional credit of $5,000.

Expanded Access to Bridging Education for Internationally Educated Nurses

IENs will have increased access to transitional or remedial education programs, helping them complete their required courses and begin practising in BC.

Increased availability of bursaries for nursing students, including Indigenous students

New Kwantlen Polytechnic University LPN to RN bridging pilot program

LPNs practising in Fraser Health with a minimum of three years of work experience will have a streamlined pathway to enter KPU’s bachelor of nursing program and be able to complete their BSN in a shorter period of time.

Changes to Ministry of Health Bursary for New Graduates' Licensing Exams

In 2023, the provincial government implemented a Health and Human Resource Strategy that standardized the approach to the existing New Graduate Nurse Transition Program in 2023. The program included:

• a guaranteed offer of regular employment (temporary or permanent) for at least six months at a minimum of 0.7 FTE;
• a simplified hiring process that is limited to affirming licensing and completing criminal record checks;
• a one-time bursary of $500 to help cover the costs associated with their licensing exams, and
• clinical practice and mentorship support to build practice readiness and consolidate skills.

Due to the current fiscal climate, the Ministry of Health has informed BCNU that the one-time $500 bursary to help cover costs associated with licensing exams will end on Sept. 30, 2025, and will no longer be a component of the program.

Any new graduate nurses (RN, RPN, LPN) hired between April 1 to Sept. 30, 2025, remain entitled to the bursary. Health employers will be updating their internal process and communications to reflect this change to the program.

This bursary is not administered by BCNU. Please connect with your respective health authority for more information.