The Saskatchewan Loan Forgiveness for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners program is extending its reach to five mid-sized communities in the province, including the southwest. 

 Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton, and The Battlefords have just become included in the program which aims to strengthen the nursing workforce in response to healthcare demands. Previously, eligible applicants must had to work in a designated rural or remote community with a population under 10,000. 

Starting January 1, 2023, nurses and practitioners working in the designated communities may qualify for up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness, easing financial pressures associated with education. Since 2013, the program has provided nearly $1.7 million in student loan forgiveness to over 550 nurses. Aligned with the Health Human Resources Action Plan, the program was conceived over a decade ago to incentivize nurses to work in regions with high recruitment needs. 

Reduced debt after graduation eases academic and financial stress and also may encourage those who otherwise could not afford post-secondary education.  

Nursing graduates can access more financial supports, including Clinical Placement Bursaries, the Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive, the Graduate Retention Program, and Saskatchewan Student Aid, providing a variety of career opportunities within Saskatchewan's health system. 

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