What is the Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing (BEGIN) program?
In partnership with the Government of Ontario, WeRPN’s BEGIN program builds bridges for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) to explore new professional pathways in Hospitals, Primary Care, Long-Term Care (LTC) and Home and Community Care (HCC) sectors in Ontario. BEGIN provides tuition reimbursements to eligible students enrolled in PSW-RPN, RPN-RN, and […]
Will I have to work in Ontario’s Hospitals, Primary Care, LTC or HCC sectors after I complete my post-graduation employment commitment?
No. You are free to work anywhere once your commitment is completed.
How long after I complete my program do I need to start my BEGIN employment commitment?
You have 12 months from your last day of school to start your commitment.
Who is eligible to apply for wraparound support?
All participants of the BEGIN program are eligible to apply. Only those with demonstrated need may qualify.
Can I apply if I’ve already started a bridging program?
Yes, if you’re already enrolled in an approved and accredited PSW-RPN, RPN-RN, or PSW-RN program, you can apply to BEGIN, no matter how close to graduation.
When can I apply for wraparound support?
You must have been accepted into the BEGIN program in order to apply for wraparound support. Even if you’re about to graduate, you may still apply.
How will I know when my post-graduation employment commitment is over?
The BEGIN team will work with you and your employer to track the amount of time you work during the commitment period. Once you’ve completed your commitment, you will receive a formal notification that you have fulfilled the terms of your agreement.
If I applied to the Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) can I still apply to BEGIN?
Yes, any RPN can apply to BEGIN for tuition reimbursement if they are enrolled in an accredited RPN-RN bridging program, even if they have already applied to NEI. For more information on the NEI program, click here
I’m entering a multi-year bridging program. Is wraparound support available for multiple years? Do I have to re-apply for additional assistance each year?
Yes, wraparound support is available for multiple years. While you don’t have to reapply for the BEGIN program tuition reimbursements every year, you will need to re-apply for the additional financial support and demonstrate your continued need.
I’m interested and/or planning to enroll in a bridging program. Am I eligible to apply for the BEGIN program?
It’s exciting to hear you’re interested in exploring new nursing pathways. While you aren’t eligible to apply for BEGIN today since you’re not yet enrolled, the good news is the program is open until March 31. We’d love to tell you more about how you can qualify for BEGIN tuition reimbursements to help cover the […]