Educational Funding

CRPNA Education Fund

The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) Psychiatric Nursing Education Fund is provided to support Registered Psychiatric Nurses in their pursuit of educational opportunities that specifically impact their skills, knowledge and professional development. Education funding is intended to support RPNs in their development of additional knowledge and skills within the profession of Psychiatric Nursing.

These educational opportunities are defined as:

• Event Funding - non credit educational programs including participation in conferences, workshops and seminars.
• Short Term Funding - programs leading to obtainment of certification or enhanced specialty knowledge.
• Long Term Funding - courses within educational programs at the Baccalaureate, Masters or Doctoral level of study.

You MUST meet the following criteria to apply for reimbursement of self-paid costs to complete educational courses:

• Educational activity must occur within 6 months, before or after the deadline dates
• Deadline dates are: May 31st and November 30th
• Completed application forms must be received or postmarked by the deadline dates.  Late or incomplete applications WILL NOT be accepted
• Applicants must hold an Active Practice Permit at the time of the funding application
• Applicants must reside in Alberta with a minimum of one (1) year post practicing registration experience in Alberta
• Applicants can only apply for funding once (1) per application deadline date, priority will be given to first time applicants, funding will be determined by the number of eligible applications received
• Applicants MUST ATTACH a BRIEF description and COST of the Course(s), Event, Workshop, Seminar or Conference with the application
• Eligible expenses are: tuition, registration fees, limited travel and accommodation 

Applicants must apply for educational funding using an Education Fund Application form.  Mail, fax or email your completed application form and required documents to the CRPNA.  Only complete and eligible applications will be considered.  CRPNA may request further information upon review of a submitted application.  Submission of an application does not guarantee full or partial funding support.

This fund will be administered by CRPNA and the Education Fund Committee. All decisions are final.

Applicants will receive written notification as to the status of your application 4 - 6 weeks after the application deadline date.

Ted James Scholarship Award

The Ted James Scholarship Awards of $500 each are awarded annually to two individuals who have successfully completed an approved Alberta Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Program. The recipients of the annual awards will be announced at the CRPNA AGM each year.

Criteria

Each candidate will:

• Be an active member of the CRPNA;

• Have successfully completed an approved Alberta Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Program;

• Submit a completed application  to the CRPNA office on or before September 15th of each year;

• Be willing to have their name published in the CRPNA ELINK;

• Have completed their Capstone Course and through their work on the course have demonstrated excellence in communication, interpersonal relations, positive collaboration with peers and community agencies;

• Have achieved a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in the program including the Capstone Course;

• Have two letters of support provided by community agencies directly to the CEO, CRPNA;

• Be limited to one Ted James Scholarship Award;
  
  

Selection Process:

• Based on the identified criteria the CRPNA in collaboration with the Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Program will identify two candidates to receive the award each year;
• The successful recipients will be notified prior to the AGM so that they can be in attendance to receive their award.
  

National Scholarships

The Registered Psychiatric Nurses Foundation Inc. (RPNF) is pleased to announce the establishment of the new McCormick/Henry Scholarship for studies in the mental health and mental illnesses for/of seniors. The Scholarship was established in honour of a Registered Psychiatric Nurse who has contributed to seniors’ mental health issues at the provincial, national and international levels.

This latest scholarship adds to the two previous national scholarships offered by the RPNF

1. John Alex Crawford Scholarship - This is a National Scholarship honoring John's professional dedication to education and practice standards development for Psychiatric Nursing. This Scholarship of a minimum of $1000 is for any Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Canada who wishes to pursue Master's or Doctoral studies that are directly related to any of the four domains of Psychiatric Nursing Practice
2. The Annette Osted National Student Scholarship celebrates one of the leaders who advocated for the advancement of all Psychiatric Nurses in Canada - a minimum of $500 awarded to a Psychiatric Nurse student enrolled in the 3rd or 4th year of the Baccalaureate Psychiatric Nursing program at a Canadian University. (Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA for this Scholarship)
3. The McCormick/Henry Scholarship - This scholarship is for an RPN in Canada who is taking further studies in seniors mental health at the graduate level (MA or PhD) or through an accredited certificate program.
   

Application forms may be found at www.rpnf.ca