Belleville City Council will consider adding two more Nurse Practitioners and extending a nursing scholarship agreement with Loyalist College at its meeting Monday afternoon.
It is being recommended council approve two more Nurse Practitioners under the city’s Nurse Practitioner recruitment policy. Two Nurse Practitioners have already started their employment at the Belleville Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic on Victoria Avenue in downtown Belleville.
The incentive, designed to address a shortage of Nurse Practitioners, involves a $10,000 bonus in exchange for a two-year commitment of full-time service in the City of Belleville.
The incentive is payable in two equal instalments – the first when the Nurse Practitioner starts a position in the city and the second payment after six months of employment.
Council will also be asked to approve extending a scholarship agreement with Loyalist College that sees the city provide up to $10,000 to a nursing student who completes their education at Loyalist and goes on to work in their field within the City of Belleville.
The student would receive $2500 when they enter year three of their education, $2500 when they receive their NCLEX licence and the final $5000 is paid once they have completed six months of full-time work with a Belleville employer.
The intent of the scholarship is to encourage students to complete their degrees in Belleville, rather than leaving the area, and choose a Belleville workplace.
Loyalist College indicates it has been a successful program so far with support provided for up to 20 students in the first year.
Belleville City Council meets Monday at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
