We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2025 WeRPN Education Trust Fund (ETF) Bursary recipients! The ETF was created to provide financial support to practical nursing students, helping to alleviate some of the challenges they face during their academic journey. Each $1,000 bursary recognizes the dedication and commitment of these outstanding practical nursing students to the profession. WeRPN is proud to play a role in empowering students as they work toward their dreams.
The awards, jointly presented by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN), celebrate the achievements and impact of Ontario nurses and their vital contributions to the health of our province.
This week WeRPN joined the Minister of Long-Term Care, the Honourable Natalia Kusendova-Bashta for a crucial announcement highlighting the Ontario government’s new investments to strengthen nursing in long-term care.
Since joining WeRPN in 2013, CEO Dianne Martin has been a dedicated advocate for Ontario’s Registered Practical Nurses, strengthening the organization’s voice and impact across the healthcare sector. At the 2025 Annual General Meeting, she announced her retirement effective May 31, 2026.
On August 6th, WeRPN CEO Dianne Martin was at Sheridan College’s Centre for Healthy Communities alongside members of government including Minister of Health Sylvia Jones and Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta for an announcement of $56.8 million in new funding to train an additional 2,200 nurses across the province, including Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).
As Chief of Nursing and Professional Practice and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health, it is my profound honour to extend heartfelt gratitude to our Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) who serve communities across Ontario with exceptional skill, compassion, and dedication.
The Ontario healthcare system continues to feel the impacts of the nursing shortage. Our annual survey highlights the experiences of over 1,000 RPNs. Read all the findings in our latest report “The State of Nursing in Ontario: A 2025 Review” urging the government and healthcare leadership to act now and implement our 5-step action plan.
Three exceptional nurses, celebrated for their unwavering dedication to improving peoples’ lives and advancing Ontario’s health-care system, will be honoured at the sixth annual Nursing Now Ontario Awards (NNOA). These prestigious awards recognize excellence in nursing across three categories: nurse practitioner (NP), registered nurse (RN), and registered practical nurse (RPN).
We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2024 WeRPN Education Trust Fund (ETF) Bursary recipients! The ETF was created to provide financial support to practical nursing students, helping to alleviate some of the challenges they face during their academic journey. Each $1,000 bursary recognizes the dedication and commitment of these outstanding practical nursing students to the profession. WeRPN is proud to play a role in empowering students as they work toward their dreams.
Nurses across Ontario touch the lives of countless individuals daily. Despite the challenges facing our healthcare system, they remain committed to delivering exceptional care. The Nursing Now Ontario Awards (NNOA) honour nursing excellence by recognizing a registered practical nurse (RPN), a registered nurse (RN) and a nurse practitioner (NP) who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, clinical expertise and compassionate care.
