The provincial government says recruiting nurses to work in the Battlefords, Prince Albert, Yorkton, Swift Current and Moose Jaw has been difficult and measures are needed to fill existing vacancies.

The nurse and nurse practitioner loan forgiveness program was previously only available in designated rural or remote communities of under 10,000 residents.

Nurses and nurse practitioners who started on or before the beginning of 2023 could be eligible for as much as $20,000 in Saskatchewan student loan forgiveness.

Since the program started ten years ago, over 550 nurses have received nearly $1.7 million in student loan forgiveness.

“If it weren’t for the support of student loans, attending Saskatchewan Polytechnic wouldn’t have been possible,” Saskatchewan Polytechnic second year practical nursing student Jeda Jones-Hancock said. “I’m from a rural community and my goal is to work in places like Rosthern or Prince Albert. Knowing I’ll have less debt after I graduate eases the burden of academic and financial stress as I complete my studies.”

Since the program began in 2013, over 550 nurses have received nearly $1.7 million in student loan forgiveness. More information on the program can be viewed here.