CPCNA Bursaries
CPCNA is pleased to offer bursaries to members for in two specific areas. Please see below for details on eligibility and to access the application.
For both bursaries, applicants must be a CPCNA member in good standing and have been a member at least the previous year.
Not have access to other funds (e.g. from an employer or other professional source)
Additional criteria may apply described in the application.
Scroll down to meet our Bursary Recipients
The CPCNA is pleased to offer an education bursary to help offset the cost of continuing education that will advance your practice in palliative care nursing. This bursary can be applied toward any eligible education expense, including graduate studies, a conference, a course, or any other educational offering that CPCNA determines to be relevant. This bursary covers up to $499 of the cost of any such expense.
CPCNA Certification Bursary
For members planning to apply for new or renewing certification
Deadline to apply:
January 31, 2027
CPCNA Certification Bursary: The CPCNA is pleased to offer a professional practice bursary to help offset the cost of specialty certification in hospice palliative care nursing through the CNA. This bursary can be applied toward new or renewing certification. The bursary for new certification is $499 and the bursary for a renewing certification is $300.
Certification Bursary Application
Announcing CPCNA's June 2026 Bursary Recipients
Nicole Porquet-Seitz
Education Bursary
Nicole graduated from University of Calgary Bachelor of Nursing in 2013 after spending a decade working as a registered veterinary technician. She completed her Masters of Nursing from Athabasca University in 2021. Palliative care found Nicole as a new grad with an open position locally for a palliative care home care nurse. She feels her experience working with animals and their owners from life to death prepared her well for palliative care. She had the privilege to work from 2014 to 2021 as a rural palliative home care nurse. Since 2021, Nicole has been working on the Calgary Zone Palliative Care Consult Service as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and continue to work in the rural setting. She is married with 2 children and 3 dogs. and enjoys volunteering, playing sports, and camping.
Nicole received the bursary to support attending the CNA conference in September. Nicole chairs the Alberta CNS interest groups, and is looking forward to advocating for the CNS role, especially in palliative care.
Fabienne Germeil
Education Bursary
With more than thirty years of experience as a registered nurse, consultant, and healthcare leader in Quebec, Fabienne has built a career grounded in collaborative leadership, quality improvement, and enhancing the patient experience. Throughout her career, she has led numerous interdisciplinary initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare services and strengthening the quality and continuity of care. Addressing inequities in healthcare access for patients from diverse cultural and linguistic communities is one of her core professional commitments. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing at the University of Ottawa, where her research focuses on grief and palliative care through the lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her doctoral research examines the disparities experienced by racialized patients receiving palliative care and the impact of racism on grief experiences.
This bursary assisted Fabienne to present with a colleague at the Association des soins palliatifs du Quebec on a topics that are part of her PhD studies. Their presentation was titled " La fausse idee de la competence en soins palliatifs : adopter l'humilite culturelle pour des soins efficaces, inclusifs et empreints de compassion "
Keara Graham
Education Bursary
Keara is a hospice nurse with a passion for advancing compassionate, person-centered palliative care. She values interdisciplinary collaboration and can often be found singing alongside music therapists and exploring innovative approaches to care. She is particularly interested in integrating dignity therapy and meaning-making into her nursing practice. Keara completed her Master of Science in Nursing in 2021, with a final project focused on improving palliative care for people experiencing homelessness. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches an undergraduate course on stress management and wellbeing at the University of British Columbia. Keara currently serves as co-chair of the CPCNA Membership Committee.
This bursary provides Keara with an opportunity to attend the Montreal International Palliative Care Congress in October 2026, marking an exciting step in her professional journey. She will be able to learn from international leaders in palliative care and connect with colleagues who share a commitment to improving the quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness.
Congratulations to the recipient of the January 2026 CPCNA Certification Bursary!
Meet Kathleen Belland!
Kathleen has been a palliative care nurse since 2012. She has worked mostly in tertiary-level palliative care, although she has also experience in surgery, public health, and obstetrics. She was recently involved in the Sunita Project, a palliative care pilot project in rural Nepal. When she isn't busy with nursing, you can find her brushing up on her Hindi and Nepali language skills, cooking, gardening, or planning her next trip back to South Asia.
Kathleen received the bursary to support her CNA Certification in Hospice Palliative Care Nursing.
Announcing CPCNA's June 2025 Bursary Recipient
Nicole Porquet-Seitz
Education Bursary
Nicole graduated from University of Calgary Bachelor of Nursing in 2013 after spending a decade working as a registered veterinary technician. She completed her Masters of Nursing from Athabasca University in 2021. Palliative care found Nicole as a new grad with an open position locally for a palliative care home care nurse. She feels her experience working with animals and their owners from life to death prepared her well for palliative care. She had the privilege to work from 2014 to 2021 as a rural palliative home care nurse. Since 2021, Nicole has been working on the Calgary Zone Palliative Care Consult Service as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and continue to work in the rural setting. She is married with 2 children and 3 dogs. and enjoys volunteering, playing sports, and camping.
Announcing CPCNA's January 2025 Bursary Recipients!!
Jan Buragay
Education Bursary
Jan is a registered nurse with over five years of experience, specializing in palliative care, pain management, and perioperative nursing. Passionate about improving end-of-life care, he actively seeks opportunities for learning and collaboration. Last year, he attended Connections, the provincial palliative care conference hosted by the Saskatchewan Hospice Palliative Care Association, where he connected with peers to advance palliative nursing in his province. Committed to education and advocacy, Jan aims to enhance palliative care practices, support patients with dignity and compassion, and guide families through every stage of their journey with empathy and respect.
“Palliative care is my passion. I have worked throughout our palliative care service in Nova Scotia –from the ambulatory clinic, An Cala acute palliative unit, community program and support our new Hospice. I have been a palliative nurse for 20 years and continue to mentor the next generation daily.”
Laurie is the Palliative Clinical Nurse Educator for the Eastern Zone of Nova Scotia Health with a passion for education and mentorship. After graduating from the Sydney City Hospital in 1991 with her nursing diploma, she obtained a BScN through St.F.X University and completed her Masters (Dual Leadership and Education streams) in April 2025 from Athabasca. Laurie has been active in advancing Palliative Care nationally, through Standard development, serving on past Boards of Directors (CHCPA-Nurses Group), CNA Exam review and revision, Provincial Board member of the NSHPCA, and local Board member of the Hospice Society of Cape Breton.
