Last updated: October 4, 2026

JOIN LTC Program 2026: If you are a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), or Nurse Practitioner (NP) considering a career in Ontario long-term care, there is an important financial incentive you should know about.

The Jumpstart Opportunities in Nursing in Long-Term Care (JOIN LTC) program provides eligible nurses with up to $25,000 for making a two-year commitment to work in a publicly funded Ontario long-term care (LTC) home.

Depending on the location and whether you qualify for relocation support, (JOIN LTC Program 2026) eligible full-time nurses may receive up to $45,000 in total incentives.

The program is administered by Ontario Health and is intended to strengthen Ontario’s long-term-care nursing workforce.

Important: JOIN LTC funding is not automatically available to every nurse or every LTC employer. The LTC home must participate in the program and receive approval before offering the incentive.

JOIN LTC Program at a Glance

The additional rural/remote/Northern and relocation incentives are subject to specific eligibility requirements.

What Is the JOIN LTC Program?

The JOIN LTC program is an Ontario Health nursing recruitment initiative designed to encourage RNs, RPNs and NPs to work in publicly funded long-term care homes.

The JOIN LTC Program 2026 program provides financial incentives in exchange for a two-year employment commitment.

It is particularly valuable for nurses who are:

• Looking for stable nursing employment in Ontario
• Interested in long-term care nursing
• Newly registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
• Internationally educated nurses who are now registered in Ontario
• Considering relocating to rural, remote or Northern Ontario
• Looking for an employer-supported nursing opportunity

Ontario Health states that the program is available for both full-time and part-time positions.

How Much Money Can Nurses Receive Through JOIN LTC?

1. Full-Time Nurses — Up to $25,000

A nurse working in an eligible full-time position can receive up to $25,000 for committing to work for 24 months in a publicly funded Ontario LTC home.

For JOIN LTC purposes, a full-time position must provide at least 30 hours per week over the two-year commitment.

Additional $10,000 for Rural, Remote or Northern Ontario

JOIN LTC Program 2026: Eligible nurses working in qualifying rural, remote or Northern communities may receive an additional $10,000.

Northern Ontario is defined by Ontario Health using the North East and North West Ontario Health regions.

For rural and remote communities, Ontario Health uses a Rurality Index for Ontario (RIO) score of 40 or higher.

Additional $10,000 Relocation Incentive

A nurse may also qualify for an additional $10,000 relocation incentive when the applicable relocation requirements are met, including moving at least 100 km to a qualifying rural, remote or Northern Ontario community for employment.

Maximum Possible Full-Time Incentive

$25,000 + $10,000 + $10,000 = $45,000

Therefore, under the applicable eligibility conditions, a full-time nurse could receive up to $45,000 in total JOIN LTC incentives.

2. Part-Time Nurses — Up to $12,500

JOIN LTC is not limited to full-time nurses.

Eligible part-time nurses can receive:

• Up to $12,500 core incentive
• Additional $5,000 for an eligible rural, remote or Northern community
• Additional $5,000 relocation incentive where eligible

That means the maximum possible total for an eligible part-time nurse can be:

Up to $22,500

A part-time position must provide at least 15 hours per week over the two-year employment commitment.

JOIN LTC Payment Schedule

The JOIN LTC incentive is not paid as one lump sum.

Payments are made to the participating employer and then paid to the eligible nurse, subject to confirmation of continued employment.

Core JOIN LTC Payments

For a full-time nurse: JOIN LTC Program 2026

For part-time nurses, the corresponding payments total $12,500.

Rural/Northern Incentive: JOIN LTC Program 2026

The additional rural, remote and Northern incentive is paid in two instalments:

• $5,000 after 4 months for full-time nurses
• $5,000 after 8 months for full-time nurses

Part-time nurses receive $2,500 at each applicable milestone.

Relocation Incentive

The relocation incentive is also paid in two instalments:

• $5,000 when employment begins for full-time nurses
• $5,000 after 4 months

Part-time nurses receive $2,500 at each applicable payment point.

Who Is Eligible for JOIN LTC in 2026?

According to Ontario Health, a nurse must meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Generally, you must:

1. Be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario

You must hold a Certificate of Registration in good standing with the CNO.

This includes eligible:

• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs)
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs)

2. Start employment on or after December 1, 2025

JOIN LTC eligibility applies to nurses who begin employment with an eligible LTC employer no earlier than December 1, 2025.

3. Have not recently worked as a nurse in an Ontario LTC home

You generally must not have been employed as a nurse by an Ontario LTC home during the six months before being hired.

There is an exception for nurses who are upgrading:

• RPN → RN
• RN → NP

4. Have not previously received CCPN funding

A nurse who has previously received funding through the Community Commitment Program for Nurses (CCPN) is not eligible for JOIN LTC.

5. Make a two-year commitment

Eligible nurses must commit to working in a publicly funded LTC home for 24 months.

6. Receive JOIN LTC funding only once

An eligible nurse can receive JOIN LTC incentives only once.

Can Internationally Educated Nurses Apply for JOIN LTC?

Potentially, yes.

JOIN LTC Program 2026: Internationally educated nurses are not excluded simply because they completed their nursing education outside Canada.

However, the important requirement is that the nurse must meet the program’s eligibility criteria, including holding a Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Therefore, an internationally educated nurse who has successfully obtained Ontario registration as an RN, RPN or NP may be able to participate if all other JOIN LTC requirements are satisfied and the hiring LTC home is participating in the program.

This can make JOIN LTC particularly interesting for internationally educated nurses who are beginning their Canadian nursing careers.

Can a Nurse Get JOIN LTC at Any Ontario Nursing Home?

No.

This is one of the most important points nurses should understand.

JOIN LTC applies to participating publicly funded Ontario long-term care homes.

You should not assume that every LTC job posting includes the JOIN LTC incentive.

Before accepting a position, ask the employer:

“Is this position approved for the Ontario Health JOIN LTC program, and would I be eligible for the JOIN LTC incentive?”

Ontario Health states that LTC homes must submit an employer application and receive confirmation of approval before offering the incentive for JOIN LTC Program 2026.

How Do Nurses Apply for JOIN LTC?

Nurses do not simply submit a personal application to Ontario Health and receive $25,000.

The process involves the participating employer.

Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet the CNO registration, employment history and other JOIN LTC requirements.

Step 2 — Find a Participating LTC Employer

Look for a publicly funded Ontario LTC home that participates in JOIN LTC.

Step 3 — Confirm the Incentive Before Accepting

Ask the employer whether the position is approved for JOIN LTC.

Step 4 — Accept the Eligible Position

Complete the employer’s normal hiring process.

Step 5 — Sign the Two-Year Commitment

Eligible nurses must sign a two-year employment commitment with the LTC home.

Step 6 — Employer Submits the Required Information

The employer submits the required documentation to Ontario Health.

Step 7 — Receive Payments

Payments are made according to the JOIN LTC payment schedule and are dependent on continued employment.

What If I Want to Work in Northern or Rural Ontario?

This is where JOIN LTC can become especially valuable.

If you are willing to relocate, you may potentially qualify for:

$25,000 core incentive

$10,000 rural/remote/Northern incentive

$10,000 relocation incentive

= Up to $45,000

However, the additional incentives are not automatic. The employment location and relocation circumstances must satisfy Ontario Health’s requirements.

For rural and remote communities, Ontario Health identifies qualifying locations using the RIO score.

Is JOIN LTC Available to New Nurses?

Potentially, yes.

JOIN LTC can be an important opportunity for nurses who are entering long-term care and meet the program’s requirements.

However, nurses should carefully distinguish JOIN LTC from other Ontario nursing programs.

For example, Ontario also has the Community Commitment Program for Nurses (CCPN), which is a separate program with its own eligibility rules and funding structure.

Do not assume that receiving one nursing incentive automatically makes you eligible for another.

JOIN LTC vs. Other Ontario Nursing Incentive Programs

Ontario has several nursing workforce initiatives, and the names can be confusing.

JOIN LTC

Focused specifically on nursing recruitment into long-term care.

JOIN LTC Program 2026: Eligible nurses can receive up to:

$25,000 core incentive + applicable additional incentives.

Community Commitment Program for Nurses (CCPN)

A separate Ontario Health program providing eligible nurses with $25,000 for a two-year commitment to eligible employers in areas of greatest need.

CCPN has separate eligibility requirements.

Nursing PLEDGE

JOIN LTC Program 2026: Another Ontario Health initiative supporting mentorship of nurses in long-term care. It is primarily funding for participating LTC homes and nurse mentors rather than the same recruitment incentive as JOIN LTC.

Is JOIN LTC Worth It for Nurses?

For an eligible nurse who is genuinely interested in long-term care, JOIN LTC can be financially significant.

JOIN LTC Program 2026: For example, an eligible full-time nurse in a qualifying rural or Northern location who also meets the relocation requirements could potentially receive:

$45,000 in total incentives over the applicable payment schedule.

But nurses should not choose an LTC position only because of the incentive.

Before signing a two-year commitment, consider:

• Hourly wage
• Union and collective agreement
• Benefits
• Pension
• Vacation
• Scheduling
• Overtime opportunities
• Workplace location
• Commute
• Resident acuity
• Staffing levels
• Professional development
• Career advancement
• Two-year return-of-service commitment

The incentive is valuable, but the employment conditions should also work for you.

Important: Do Not Confuse JOIN LTC With a Guaranteed $25,000 Payment

One of the biggest misunderstandings about this program is the phrase “$25,000 for nurses.”

The program does not mean every nurse who applies for an LTC job automatically receives $25,000.

You must meet the eligibility requirements, work for a participating eligible employer, make the required commitment and satisfy the applicable program conditions.

Payments are also tied to employment milestones.

JOIN LTC 2026: Quick Eligibility Checklist

Before applying, ask yourself:

☐ Am I an RN, RPN or NP?

☐ Is my CNO registration in good standing?

☐ Am I applying to a publicly funded Ontario LTC home?

☐ Has the employer confirmed that it participates in JOIN LTC?

☐ Have I avoided working as a nurse in an Ontario LTC home during the previous six months, unless an applicable upgrading exception applies?

☐ Have I never received CCPN funding?

☐ Will I start the eligible employment on or after December 1, 2025?

☐ Can I commit to two years?

☐ If applying for a rural/Northern incentive, does the location qualify?

☐ If applying for relocation funding, do I meet the relocation requirements?

If you answered yes to the applicable questions, ask the employer to confirm your JOIN LTC eligibility before accepting the position.

Frequently Asked Questions About JOIN LTC

How much is the JOIN LTC incentive?

Eligible full-time nurses can receive up to $25,000 through the core JOIN LTC incentive. Additional incentives may increase the total to up to $45,000 where the rural/Northern and relocation requirements are met.

Can RPNs receive JOIN LTC?

Yes. RPNs are included among the nursing professionals eligible for JOIN LTC, provided they meet the program’s other requirements.

Can RNs receive JOIN LTC?

Yes. Registered Nurses are eligible to participate if they meet the program requirements.

Can Nurse Practitioners receive JOIN LTC?

Yes. Nurse Practitioners are included in the program.

Can internationally educated nurses receive JOIN LTC?

Potentially. Internationally educated nurses must meet the same applicable program requirements, including holding a CNO Certificate of Registration in good standing.

Do I apply directly to Ontario Health?

No. Nurses should first find an eligible participating LTC employer. The employer handles the required program documentation with Ontario Health.

Is JOIN LTC available for part-time nurses?

Yes. Eligible part-time nurses can receive up to $12,500 through the core incentive.

How long is the commitment?

The JOIN LTC commitment is 24 months.

Is the $25,000 paid all at once?

No. The core incentive is paid in instalments tied to employment milestones.

Can I receive JOIN LTC twice?

No. An eligible nurse may receive JOIN LTC incentives only once.

Final Takeaway: Up to $45,000 May Be Available

The JOIN LTC program is an important opportunity for eligible nurses considering long-term care employment in Ontario in 2026.

For an eligible full-time nurse, the program provides:

Up to $25,000 core incentive: JOIN LTC Program 2026

And, where the additional requirements are met:

+$10,000 rural/remote/Northern incentive

+$10,000 relocation incentive

Potential maximum: $45,000

The most important step is to confirm that the LTC employer and position are approved for JOIN LTC before relying on the incentive.

If you are an RN, RPN or NP—including an internationally educated nurse who is registered with the CNO—JOIN LTC may be worth investigating before accepting your next LTC position.

Program information can change, so always verify your eligibility with Ontario Health and the participating employer before signing an employment commitment.

Official program: Ontario Health — JOIN LTC

This article is for general information and is not legal, immigration, employment or financial advice.

Source: Ontario Health, Jumpstart Opportunities in Nursing in Long-Term Care (JOIN LTC), last updated August 14, 2026.

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Jumpstart Opportunities in Nursing in Long-Term Care (JOIN LTC) | Ontario Health