Provincial Staffing Incentives Extended Once Again

The Ministry of Health has once again extended a series of nurse retention and recruitment financial incentives under its Provincial Incentive Program that first came into effect in April 2024 and is now extended until Sept. 30, 2026.

The incentives were introduced as a direct result of BCNU’s negotiations for provincial investment designed to support the implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. While BCNU presses for more permanent solutions to address chronic staffing shortages, these interim measures are important to help retain and attract nurses and support high-quality patient care across BC. The union also continues to call on the government to extend these supports to additional communities.

The incentives being extended are:

• Provincial Rural Retention Incentive – Nurses in 74 rural communities working in regular positions are eligible to receive up to $2,000 per quarter (prorated to productive hours), to a maximum of $8,000 per year. BCNU continues to call for its expansion to additional communities.
• GoHealth BC Recruitment Incentive – Nurses who accept regular positions in the provincial travel nursing program are eligible for up to a $15,000 signing bonus. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on private agencies.
• Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive – Nurses who sign a two-year return-of-service agreement in the North are eligible for up to a $30,000 signing bonus, or up to $20,000 in other rural and remote areas.
• Recruitment Incentive for Difficult to Fill Vacancies – Urban and Metro – New nurses or those returning to practice who fill permanent, difficult-to-fill vacancies in urban and metro areas through a two-year return-of-service agreement are eligible for up to a $15,000 signing bonus.

If you have questions about these incentives or your eligibility, please contact your BCNU steward.