The opportunity offers RPNs the opportunity to undertake a fully funded mentor-based internship within their workplace. The program is the first of its kind for RPNs and requires selected applicants to develop, with a mentor, a learning plan and budget to address an identified gap within the workplace.

The nurse will then dedicate 400 hours (full time) to their fellowship. Priority is given to RPNs applying for fellowships in ‘high need’ areas of practice such as; Emergency Care, Gerontology, Home Health Care, Mental Health Care and Primary Health Care and can be currently working either part time or full time.

Pivotal to the program are each fellows mentor who guides the RPN through the fellowship experience in addition to the employer who sponsors the nurse with in-kind funding necessary for the RPN to make full use of the opportunity.

Benefits of being an RPNAO LCP Fellow:

Encourages collaborative practice
Meets CNO requirements for reflective practice
Enhances patient care
Builds on critical thinking and analysis

Benefits of being an RPNAO LCPF Mentor:

Mentoring experiences encourage and support collaborative practice
Facilitates ongoing education and knowledge transfer to the fellow about his/her specialty area of clinical practice
Meets CNO requirements for reflective practice

Benefits of being an RPNAO Employer Sponsor:

Account for safe effective quality nursing care
Highlight the organization as a leader in nursing in Ontario
Develop new strategies, which may impact on policy change

You Asked Us...

Q: Will there be another round of fellowships offered?
A: Yes, a call for proposals will be released February 6, 2008.

Helpful Research Links

College of Nurses of Ontario
Health Canada
Nursing Effectiveness Utilization and Outcomes Research Unit
Canadian Nursing Advisory Committee Report (CNAC)

Additional questions and comments can be directed to either:

Ruth Hernandez - Administrative Assistant, rhernandez@rpnao.org or
Sheri Oliver - RPN, Director soliver@rpnao.org