LPN to RN/RPN Laddering Fund
One-time funding is now available to support LPN members interested in obtaining their RN or RPN designation. Through this one-time $20-million funding agreement, eligible LPN members who apply for the fund will be entitled to a lifetime maximum of $20,000 to put toward the cost of tuition for an accredited RN or RPN program anywhere in Canada.
Recruitment and retention strategies are critical to stabilizing and improving the staffing crisis we are currently in. By removing a significant amount of the financial barriers associated with program costs, BCNU believes this new initiative will support LPNs wanting to change their designation which in turn, will help reach the RN and RPN specific staffing requirements needed to successfully implement and maintain minimum nurse-patient ratios.
Members who receive the fund are required to commit to attending a minimum of two BCNU events in the year in which the funding is received.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the funding, LPN members must be:
- An LPN member in good standing with more than three years’ experience.
- Enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institute in Canada, within an RN or RPN program.
- Employed in an NBA facility.
- Must have completed three years of LPN work experience by the start date of the applicable term.
Application Process
All applicants must:
- Submit an application form which can be found on the Member Portal.
- Apply for the fund before the end of the applicable semester.
- Provide proof of enrollment in an RN or RPN program
- Provide proof of tuition paid, after completion of the applicable semester.
- Submit one application per semester.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Laddering Fund Bursary email at ladderingfund@bcnu.org .
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tax implications if I receive this fund?
BCNU will issue a T4A by the end of February of the following year which must be reported on personal income tax to the Canada Revenue Agency. Your social insurance number will be required to issue the T4A. Recipients are encouraged to reach out to a tax advisor for support in filing personal tax returns.
How many hours do I need to work to maintain my practicing registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)?
LPNs must meet the same hours required to maintain their registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives. This means they must practice a minimum of 1,125 hours within the five-year period immediately preceding registration renewal. Review further detail on the BCCNM website .
I do not qualify for this fund. Does BCNU offer any other financial support for members?
Yes, BCNU is proud to offer a series of bursary funds and other avenues of financial support including the Debra McPherson Member Education Bursary, Student Nurse Education Bursary, and Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary. To learn more about these and other financial supports for members, visit our bursaries and funding page .
Will I be reimbursed to cover costs like accommodation, food, travel or other costs?
No, you will only be reimbursed for the cost of tuition, associated fees and textbooks. Other costs are not covered by the fund.
I am currently taking prerequisite courses for RN/RPN program. Can I apply for this fund to help with the costs for those courses?
No, only those courses offered as part of an accredited RN/RPN program are eligible for reimbursement. Other bursaries are available to members, including the Debra McPherson Member Education bursary.
How many semesters can I apply for?
There is no cap on the number of semesters you can apply for. Each member is entitled to an overall maximum of $20,000 to complete their program until the funding runs out.
My LPN education and/or work experience is from out-of-province. Do I still qualify for the fund?
Yes, if you are licensed to practice as an LPN in BC with more than three years’ experience and meet the rest of the eligibility criteria, you are eligible to apply for this fund.
Are online courses eligible for reimbursement?
Yes, online courses are eligible for reimbursement provided they are part of an accredited RN/RPN program.
How long are these funds available for?
This is a one-time $20-million-dollar fund; once depleted it will not be replenished without further negotiation with the government.
What happens if I am unsuccessful in one of the courses or am no longer able to complete the laddering program?
Members will only receive money for each semester once. If a member fails to complete a semester, they will not be eligible for additional reimbursement to retake the semester. If you are no longer able to complete the laddering program, you will not be eligible for the funding.
Do I have to reapply for each semester?
Yes, you must reapply for the funding each semester and provide proof of registration and enrollment.
I’m interested in enrolling in this program. Which schools offer LPN to RN/RPN bridging programs?
To find out which schools offer this training program, you can look up the various schools of nursing in your region on the contact page of the BCNU.org site. Select your region from the drop-down filter and you’ll find not only the regional council member for your region, but also the schools in your area that offer nursing programs.
How long will it take to receive the funding once I’ve applied?
Applications for the bursary funding will be reviewed on a rolling basis, in the order they are received. Once an application is approved, funds will be administered as soon as possible.
Am I eligible to receive this fund if I have already received other funding from BCNU?
Yes, you are eligible to receive the funding.
What do you accept as proof of payment of fees?
We accept original receipts, scanned original receipts or downloaded original receipts. These must be submitted through the online application form. Photocopies of printed downloaded receipts will not be accepted. Please ensure that all documentation submitted includes your full name and the name of the educational institution.
Why do I need at least three years’ experience if some RN/RPN programs accept less than that?
The one-time $20 million funding agreement providing the funding for the LPN to RN/RPN Laddering Fund was made between BCNU and the Ministry of Health and included certain criteria that recipients would have to meet. One of those criteria was that recipients must be considered ‘mid-career’ nurses. It was determined that a minimum of three years’ experience was sufficient to be considered a mid-career nurse.
Other bursaries are available to members upgrading their skills and/or designation with less than three years’ experience, including the Debra McPherson Member Education Bursary.
If I received other funding (e.g. bursary, grant, scholarship, award) may I still claim the entire amount of my tuition/fees for my semester?
No, the Laddering Fund will deduct those funds from the total reimbursement amount. This does not impact the lifetime maximum of $20,000 to put toward the cost of tuition for an accredited RN or RPN program anywhere in Canada.