SHEET HARBOUR — Like most recent university graduates, Haley DeWolfe is experiencing the financial strain of reducing her student debt while trying to launch her career.
The native of East Ship Harbour, who has been working full-time as a registered nurse (RN) for almost three years, said she will benefit from changes to eligibility criteria for the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program (CSLFP) announced by Central Nova MP Sean Fraser at the Harbourview Lodge for Continuing Care in Sheet Harbour on Nov. 12.
Now living in East Petpeswick – more than one hour from Sheet Harbour, where she practices at Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital (ESMH) – DeWolfe told those attending the federal announcement that the cost of gas and dealing with vehicle wear and tear is a burden, explaining that the CSLFP changes “will help relieve that stress.”
Fraser, who unveiled the changes on behalf of Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, said they will “make sure underserved rural and remote communities – like Sheet Harbour, Middle Musquodoboit and Musquodoboit Harbour – benefit from programs designed for rural communities.”
Even though those Eastern Shore rural communities are part of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), the federal minister of housing, infrastructure and communities explained the meaning of rural, when it comes to the CSLFP, will apply to regions with populations of less than 30,000.
With the rule changes, student loans through the federal program will be forgiven up to $30,000 from $20,000 over five years for nurses and nurse practitioners, and up to $60,000 from $40,000 over five years for doctors, working in rural and remote communities.
The three Eastern Shore communities that Fraser mentioned are among 200 from across Canada that will benefit from modifications.
“There is a lot of quality of life this community has to offer but, when it comes down to dollars and cents, for too long the playing field hasn’t been level. We want to change that,” the MP for the area said.
Fraser credited the people of the Eastern Shore for pushing for these changes, describing it as “a multi-partisan effort of individuals who care about the well-being of this community.”
He acknowledged that rural communities need more healthcare professionals, noting that they are “in short supply, when it comes to this part of the world.”
With staff shortages leading to many emergency room closures, Fraser said that people are suffering, and it is not fair to the residents and healthcare professionals “who feel they bear the brunt” of this problem.
“There is an impact to our acute systems,” he explained, adding the adverse effect on community well-being when access to healthcare is limited over a length of time.
Fraser said people are constantly making decisions on where they want to live based on the availability of services.
“People are moving out, and seniors are unable to age in place,” he added. “And, it’s not just residents of smaller towns and areas who are having to make difficult decisions regarding where to live and practice; it is healthcare professionals themselves who are choosing to live or not live in the community.”
Fraser pointed out that healthcare professionals – like other graduates – have to make decisions based on personal circumstances, compensation and the impact of their student loans, which can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He acknowledged that it is often difficult to attract healthcare professionals to rural areas, such as the Eastern Shore, when larger places are offering incentives, including higher salaries and, in other parts of the province or country, student loan forgiveness programs.
While completing her studies, DeWolfe decided to do a clinical placement at ESMH, where she “fell in love” with the hospital and staff environment.
“I love providing patient-centered care for individuals in the community, which I can also add a more personal aspect to by already knowing the individual or having a mutual connection,” she explained.
Although ESMH serves as the “home base” for her nursing career, DeWolfe also picks up casual shifts at Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital.
As for the CSLFP rule changes, she said they will allow her to potentially invest in furthering her education, and bring more support [and] knowledge to her community through ESMH.
“It will also help me achieve my goal of owning a home and eventually starting a family,” she added.
