Regional district discontinues healthcare scholarships in current form as it restructures $55k support

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district is bringing an end to some of its healthcare scholarships in their current form in an effort to “maximum utilization.”

On August 14th, during the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) meeting, the board of directors voted to discontinue and restructure several healthcare scholarships.

Specifically, the PRRD has discontinued the registered nurse/registered practical nurse (RN/RPN) return of service, licensed practical nurse, career professional development and RN/RPN professional development scholarships. 

This amounts to a total of $55,000, with each scholarship being $15,000 except the licensed practical nurse scholarship, which is $10,000.

The board has also authorized staff to meet with Northern Health, other healthcare-focused organizations and nearby post-secondary institutions in communities such as Grande Prairie and Prince George for insight into how future healthcare scholarships could be structured for “maximum utilization.”

In May, the PRRD voted to suspend the funding for the scholarships for 2025 onwards, as part of a review into “potential alternative options for administration of the scholarships.”

The PRRD confirmed in May that scholarships not included in the list through Northern Lights College and the PRRD healthcare high school, would not be affected by the suspension of the other scholarships. 

According to a report from staff to the board, the scholarships were removed from the PRRD’s website after the board’s decision in May, and they are not being promoted by Northern Health.