Incentives

Family Practice Start-Up Programs

Designed to attract and retain new, qualified family physicians to provide primary health care service, we provide funding to eligible family physicians to help alleviate the financial burden associated with opening or joining a fee-for-service family practice in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Family Practice Programs consists of two incentives: the New Family Physician Income Guarantee and the Family Practice Start-up Program.

Physician Recruitment Incentive Pilot

A physician recruitment incentive pilot for primary care or emergency department coverage in select geographic locations (Bonavista, Baie Verte, New-Wes-Valley, Placentia, St. Lawrence, Springdale, Harbor Breton, Grand-Falls Windsor, Stephenville and Gander) for $100,000 per one year return-in-service and all locations in the Labrador Grenfell Zone can receive $150,000 per one year return-in-service, renewable for a second year return-in-service. This may be either a NLHS site or in a fee-for-service private practice.

Physician Signing Bonus

Designed to attract and retain new, qualified physicians to practice medicine with the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NL Health Services). Funding is available to Family Physicians and Specialist Physicians who have agreed to provide services to the NL Health Services in the practice of medicine.

• $100,000 for physicians practicing on the Northeast Avalon
• $150,000 for physicians practicing in rural Newfoundland or Labrador.

Candidates that sign on to work in “difficult-to-fill” positions within the province are eligible to top-up an additional $25,000 under this program.

Come Home Incentive

The Come Home Incentive is available at employer’s discretion for a variety of health care occupations for individuals who have been living outside the province for at least six months.

Provincial Student and Resident Physician Bursary Program

Designed to attract undergraduate medical students and medical residents to commence practice in designated areas of need in Newfoundland and Labrador upon obtaining full licensure in this province. Learn more about the Undergraduate Medical Student Bursary Program and the Medical Resident Bursary Program by clicking the button below.

Travelling Residency Program

The Travelling Residency Program provides financial support for physicians who are interested in pursuing residency programs not offered at Memorial University. Recipients of Travelling Residency funding must commit to practice medicine in the province with the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Service once they have finished their residency training.

Travelling Fellowship Program

Funding is available for physicians to undertake training in specialty and sub-specialty programs that are not offered by Memorial University. A recipient’s salary (including cost of benefits) will be paid at the pay scale of the University offering the fellowship position. In return for this funding, it is required that the recipient return one year of service to the province within Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services for each year funding is received. Candidates must first seek to obtain regular funded positions in the out-of-province programs and possess qualifications at least equivalent to that expected for the funded positions.

Ukrainian Physician Licensure Support Program

The Department of Health and Community Services has launched the Ukrainian Physician Licensure Support Program to assist displaced Ukrainian physicians in obtaining licensure to practice medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador. Eligible Ukrainian physicians can receive up to $10,000 in funding to offset the costs associated with obtaining licensure in Newfoundland and Labrador, in exchange for a two (2) year provincial service agreement.

For further information, please contact UkrainianPhysician@gov.nl.ca.

Signing Bonus

Signing bonuses are available for selected health occupations, targeting difficult-to-fill positions, and tiered to address geographic considerations. $5,000 to $10,000 is available per year (1950 hours) of service commitment, with the amount doubled for two years (3,900 hours) service commitment.

Long-Term Care Recruitment Bonus

A recruitment bonus is available to attract registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and personal care attendants to work in long-term care, for a one year return in service commitment, at employer’s discretion.

Nurse Practitioner Recruitment Incentive for Family Care Teams

An incentive ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 is available to Nurse Practitioners who commit to work within a Family Care Team in the province, targeting difficult to fill positions. These incentives require one year (1,950 hours) return-in-service, with an option to extend for a second year.

Nurse Practitioner Bursary

We provide financial assistance to nurses who are enrolled in a Nurse Practitioner education program and agree to accept employment in a difficult-to-fill position and fulfill a service commitment as described in this policy.

Bursary for Radiation Therapists

We work to place qualifying students from Newfoundland and Labrador in the Radiation Therapy Program, within NL Health Services Eastern Zone.

Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Seats at Dalhousie University

Ten Physiotherapy and eight Occupational Therapy seats are reserved at Dalhousie University for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. When a student applies to Dalhousie University in the Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy programs, s/he will be advised by Dalhousie University of these seats.

Dental Bursary Program

The Department’s Dental Bursary Program has two components, the Rural Dental Bursary Program and the Specialist Bursary Program. Recipients of the Rural Dental Bursary are required to fulfill their practice commitment in a rural area determined by the province. For the Specialist Bursary Program, applicants are required to work in an in-need area upon graduation.

Each bursary is valued at $50,000. Students must apply annually for bursaries and are eligible to receive a maximum of three bursaries in each component of the Program for a total of $300,000. In exchange for each bursary received, bursary recipients are required to commit to one year of service in rural or in-need areas of the province.

Recipients will be determined through a competitive application process and while the program is open to Canadian citizens, preference is given to students from Newfoundland and Labrador. To be eligible, an applicant must be accepted into an accredited dental program or specialty program recognized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Licensing Board.

Bachelor of Nursing Bursary

Bachelor of Nursing Bursaries provide financial assistance to students of the Bachelor of Nursing (Collaborative) Program as well as students in the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS) Re-Entry Program who agree to accept employment in a difficult-to-fill position and fulfill a service commitment as described in this policy.

Rural Nursing Student Incentive

This program provides travel-related funding assistance to nursing students in their fourth year of studies to undertake community placements in rural areas of the during their four-week course (Community Health Practicum).

Signing Bonus (Physician Assistant)

Physician assistants are eligible to receive a $30,000 signing bonus with up to $10,000 in relocation assistance for those living outside the province. Requires three-year full-time service commitment, flexible service arrangements are available.

Tuition Relief: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Students

Students entering the first year of the BScN program in September 2024 at Memorial University’s satellite sites in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, or Happy Valley-Goose Bay are eligible for tuition relief of $2,000 for each semester for the first two years of the program ($8,000 total). This tuition relief will be applied directly towards the cost of tuition for the BScN program and will be administered by Memorial University of Newfoundland. There is no return-in-service requirement for tuition relief in the first year of the program. To receive tuition relief for year two, a one-year provincial return-in-service commitment to contribute to the public system of health services upon graduation is required.

Tuition Relief: Practical Nursing (PN) Students

Students entering the first year of the PN program at the Centre for Nursing Studies and College of the North Atlantic are eligible for tuition relief for each of the five semesters of the program as follows. PN students at the Centre for Nursing Studies in St. John’s campus are eligible for $500 for each of the five semesters of the program ($2,500 total); and PN students at College of North Atlantic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. Anthony, Burin, Gander, Bay St. George, Clarenville, Carbonear, Corner Brook or Grand Falls-Windsor (all rural) campuses are eligible for $1,000 for each of the five semesters of the program ($5,000 total).

This tuition relief will be applied directly towards the cost of tuition for the PN program and will be administered by the Centre for Nursing Studies and College of the North Atlantic respectively. There is no return-in-service requirement for tuition relief in the first year of the program. To receive tuition relief for year two, a one-year provincial return-in-service commitment to contribute to the public system of health services upon graduation is required.

For more information, please contact Catherine Rice, Centre for Nursing Studies at catherine.e.rice@mun.ca or College of the North Atlantic at registrar@cna.nl.ca.

Retired Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners

The Provincial Government has reinstated a recruitment and retention incentive for retired registered nurses and nurse practitioners seeking to return to work or who are already employed by Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS).

Retired registered nurses and nurse practitioners who meet license eligibility requirements are eligible for reimbursement of license-related fees up to $500 with a return in service commitment of 390 hours per year. The incentive is available until March 31, 2025.

To learn more contact HR at NLHS or e-mail recruit@workinhealthnl.ca. 

Family Care Team Incentive

Designed to attract new and retain current family physicians who join a Family Care Team for at least one year, this $75,000 incentive is available for family medicine physicians who join a Family Care Team before the end of 2024 and is available retroactively for all current Family Care Team physicians. This incentive is stackable with other physician incentives and return in service is served concurrently with any other return in service. Recruited physicians will gain the benefits of a salaried physician role through NL Health Services.

Resident Elective Incentive Program

The Resident Elective Incentive Program provides financial assistance to radiation oncology and nuclear medicine residents in Canada who are training outside of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) in residency programs that are not offered by Memorial University. Medical residents accepted into the Program will receive a one-time reimbursement of up to $5,000 to complete an elective rotation in NL inclusive of costs associated with travel, accommodations and licensure. To apply for the Resident Elective Incentive Program, applicants must submit a completed application form to the Office of Health Professional Recruitment and Retention by email to recruit@workinhealthnl.ca.  

Applications must be submitted prior to commencing the approved elective rotation in NL.  

For more information please contact recruit@workinhealthnl.ca.

Educational Salary Advance for NL Health Services Employees

The purpose of the Educational Salary Advance Program is to allow employees to finance a planned leave of absence, of between six and 24 months, to complete an education program on a full-time basis. Employees may advance a portion of their salary (before deductions) during the leave of absence, and repay the advance over a specified timeframe upon returning to work. NL Health Services employees are encouraged to speak with their direct supervisor and human resources to discuss opportunities to avail of the Education Salary Advance Program.

Health Professional Student Bursary

Take the first step toward a bright future with exclusive student bursaries designed for high-demand health professional roles in NL Health Services! These bursaries provide a unique opportunity to launch a fulfilling career while addressing critical health care needs across the province. Awarded based on current job vacancies within NL Health Services, these bursaries are available to students who commit to a service agreement. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference and secure your place in a rewarding health care career!

Invest in your future today and make a difference where it matters most.

• $5,000 - Required service obligation of 1,950 or 1,820 hours (~1 year as applicable)
• $10,000 - Required service obligation of 3,900 or 3,640 hours (~2 years as applicable)

Health Professional Student Bursary (Licensed Practical Nurses / Personal Care Attendants)

Take the first step toward a bright future with exclusive student bursaries designed for high-demand health professional roles in NL Health Services! These bursaries provide a unique opportunity to launch a fulfilling career while addressing critical health care needs across the province. Awarded based on current job vacancies within NL Health Services, these bursaries are available to students who commit to a service agreement. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference and secure your place in a rewarding health care career!

Invest in your future today and make a difference where it matters most.

• Maximum $5,000 – Required service obligation of 3,900 hours (~2 years as applicable)

Clinical Psychologist Student Bursary

Take the first step toward a bright future with an exclusive Enhanced Clinical Psychologist Student Bursary for $20,000 for committing to NLHS employment for up to four years. This bursary provides a unique opportunity to launch a fulfilling career while addressing critical health care needs across the province. Awarded based on current job vacancies within NL Health Services, these bursaries are available to students who commit to a service agreement. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference and secure your place in a rewarding health care career

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Student Bursaries

Take the first step toward a bright future with exclusive student bursaries designed for high-demand health professional roles in NL Health Services! These bursaries provide a unique opportunity to launch a fulfilling career while addressing critical health care needs across the province. Awarded based on current job vacancies within NL Health Services, these bursaries are available to students who commit to a service agreement. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference and secure your place in a rewarding health care career!

Invest in your future today and make a difference where it matters most.

• $5,000 - Required service obligation of 1,950 or 1,820 hours (~1 year as applicable)
• $10,000 - Required service obligation of 3,900 or 3,640 hours (~2 years as applicable)

Care of the Elderly Family Physician Training Incentive

The Care of the Elderly Family Physician Training Incentive offers a one-time financial incentive to practicing family physicians who choose to return to Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) to complete the Enhanced Skills Program in Care of the Elderly (COE). Practicing Family physicians approved for the incentive will receive one-time funding in the amount of $50,000 in return for a two-year return-in-service commitment. This incentive is intended to help practicing family physicians take time away from their practice to complete the COE and is designed to enhance their skills while strengthening capacity in the field of family medicine. The incentive aligns with key recommendations from Health Accord NL, supporting the availability of an adequate number of COE-trained family physicians throughout the province.

To learn more about the incentive refer to:

• Policy - Care of the Elderly Family Physician Training Incentive
• Application - Care of the Elderly Family Physician Training Incentive Application

To apply for the incentive, applicants who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a completed application form to the Office of Health Professional Recruitment and Retention by email to recruit@workinhealthnl.ca.

Nurse Practitioner Recruitment and Retention Incentive for Addiction Medicine

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) Recruitment and Retention Incentive for Addiction Medicine ranges from $20,000 - $40,000 and is intended to support recruitment and retention within the province’s Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) Hubs, the Medical Detox Recovery Centre, and inpatient addiction treatment centres. Eligible NPscan receive a one-time financial incentive with a one-year (1,950 hours) return-in-service commitment that may be renewable for a second year (1,950 hours), subject to budgetary approval and confirmation of continued eligibility.

Clinical Psychologist Recruitment and Retention Incentive

A Clinical Psychologist Recruitment and Retention Incentive is available to Clinical Psychologists who are currently working in, or who accept employment with, NL Health Services. The incentive amount is $50,000 based on a three-year return-in-service commitment.

Recipients must be Clinical Psychologists who are eligible to be registered and licensed with the NL Psychologist Board and individual eligibility is at the discretion of NL Health Services. Please note that Clinical Psychologists in receipt of the Come Home Incentive are not eligible for this incentive.

Skills Advancement Program for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) to advance to Primary Care Paramedics

Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) who advance their skills to become Primary Care Paramedic (PCPs) through the EMR to PCP Program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA), are eligible for financial support up to fund necessary costs relating to tuition, books, supplies and other associated fees for eligible students over the course of the three-year program. EMRs currently completing the program, as well as EMRs entering the program in September 2025 are eligible with a three-year return-in-service commitment with NL Health Services.

Funding for EMRs currently completing the program will be prorated for a January 2025 effective date, with current year one students eligible to receive $2,497 and current year two students eligible to receive $2,391.

For students beginning in September 2025, the following rates apply:

• Year One: $6,705
• Year Two: $3,985
• Year Three: To be determined

Educational Travel Subsidy for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) & Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs)

Students completing the Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) to Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program, as well as the Advanced Care Paramedic Program (ACP) through College of the North Atlantic (CNA) may be eligible for an Educational Travel Subsidy to assist with costs associated with travel to St. John’s or Stephenville as required for laboratory and clinical education. This is a one-time subsidy available to current students (prorated based upon year of study), as well as students beginning year one of the respective programs in September 2025.

For the three-year EMR to PCP distance program, the following rates are applicable:

• Within 100 kms of the educational institution - $2,500;
• Between 101 kms – 500 kms - $3,500;
• Between 500 kms – 900 kms - $4,500; and,
• Labrador residents - $7,500.

For the two-year ACP program, the following rates are applicable:

• Within 100 kms of the educational institution - $1,500;
• Between 101 kms-500 kms - $2,500;
• Between 501 kms-900 kms - $4,000; and,
• Labrador residents - $6,000.

Tuition Relief Program for Primary Care Paramedics (PCP) and Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) Students

Students entering their first year of either the PCP or ACP programs in the province - beginning in May 2025 for Keyin College and September 2025 for all other institutions - are eligible for tuition relief of either $1,000 or $2,000 per year as follows:

• PCP and ACP students at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) St. John’s campus are eligible for $1,000 per year over the two-year long program.
• PCP and ACP students at Bay St. George campus of CNA, are eligible for $2,000 per year over the two-year long program.
• PCP students at Keyin College in Grand-Falls Windsor as well as PCP students at Random Sound Paramedicine in Clarenville are eligible for tuition relief of $2,000 for the one-year long program.

Tuition relief will be applied directly towards the cost of tuition.

For programs that are two years in length, there is no return-in-service requirement to avail of tuition relief for the first year, however a one-year return-in-service with NL Health Services is required for the cohort of students to avail of tuition relief for year two.

For programs that are one year in length, to avail of this tuition relief for year one of the program, a one-year return-in-service commitment with NL Health Services is required.