Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Healthcare Professional Conversion Programmes (Healthcare PCPs) for Nurses 2017

Intake

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

1. What is the objective of the programme?

The Healthcare PCPs are offered by WDA and the Ministry of Health (MOH), and supported by MOH
Holdings.
The Healthcare PCPs serve as a conduit for local mid-career switchers to receive training that would
enable them to work as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists or radiographers upon
graduation.

2. What are the programmes under the Healthcare PCPs for Nurses?
There are 2 mid-career switch healthcare programmes currently offered under the Healthcare
Professional Conversion Programmes (Healthcare PCPs) for Nurses for AY 2017:
1.
2.

PCP for Registered Nurses (RNs)

PCP for Enrolled Nurses (ENs)

Successful applicants will undergo the required training at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) for the
Diploma in Nursing course, or the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) for the NITEC in Nursing
(PCP-EN).

3. What training do I need to undergo?

PCP

Course

Training Duration

Enrolled Nurses

NITEC in Nursing

2 years, full-time

Registered Nurses

Diploma in Nursing

2 years, full-time
(accelerated)

4. Is there funding support?

Yes, there are 3 funding components:
i.

Course Fee This will be fully supported for the 2-year nursing courses.

ii.

Training Allowance This will be provided for the 24-month training period. The enhanced
monthly training allowances, from April 2016 onwards, range between $1,300 - $1,550 for

PCP-EN and $1,700 - $2,050 for PCP-RN. Sponsoring companies will accord individuals
training allowance based on prior work experience.
iii.

Career Transition Bonus This will be awarded to trainees upon graduation, to celebrate a
milestone achievement in their career transitions. Diploma graduates will receive a one-time
bonus of $2,000, and NITEC graduates will receive $1,500.

5. Is there a bond tied to funding support?

Candidates who are accepted into the programme are required to sign a deed with the sponsoring
company.
PCP-EN trainees will serve a two-year bond. PCP-RN trainees will be required to serve a three-year
bond.

6. Are there any sureties required for the bond?

Yes, the respective sponsoring companies will require two sureties for the bond with them. Actual HR
policy and terms of bond may vary across companies, but some general requisites for sureties would
include:

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Above 21 years of age

Not bankrupt
Is gainfully employed
Not party to existing bond or loans

7. What are the liquidated damages for breaking the bond?

A participant who withdraws from the programme, whether during the course of study or during the
service period of the bond, shall be liable for liquidated damages payable to the sponsoring company.
The amount payable will be pro-rated based on costs incurred by the sponsoring healthcare company
and funding bodies (e.g. WDA and the Ministry of Health) in accordance with the terms of the training
deed(s).
Total liquidated damages (including full course fees, training allowances and career transition bonus)
at the point of training completion could amount to roughly:
i.

$40,000 to $48,000 for PCP-EN

ii.

$125,000 for PCP-RN

8. Who is the target audience for these programmes?

The Healthcare PCPs for Nursing are targeted at mid-career switchers looking to transit to nursing.
Such individuals should also have a strong interest to help patients.

9. What are the eligibility criteria?

Candidates must be a Singaporeans or permanent residents who have graduated or ORD-ed for at
least 2 years and meet the entry requirements of the course.
Entry requirement for the NITEC in Nursing
2 GCE O level credits***, or
3 GCE N level credits* in English, Math and one other subject, or
ES WPLN Level 5 for Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking and Numeracy and either
a) WSQ Advanced Certificate in Healthcare Support (Nursing Care) or
b) ITE ISC in Healthcare (Inpatient/Outpatient/Home Care/Clinic Practice) with a min GPA
of 2.8
c) Minimum 3 years of direct patient nursing care experience.
Candidates will still need to pass ITE Admission Committees interview where applicable.
Note: In-Service staff are required to apply through their employers.
Entry requirement for the Diploma in Nursing
Degree from a recognised university; or
Diploma from a local polytechnic; or
3 GCE A level credits** and 2 GCE O level credits *** in Science and Mathematics
* GCE N level passes refer to grade 1-5 or A-D.
**GCE A level credits refer to grades A to E
***GCE O level credits refer to grades A1 to C6.

It is important to note that meeting the entry requirements does not guarantee admission into the
PCPs. Admission is based on a holistic assessment of the applicant and subject to other
requirements such as passing of medical test and having sponsorship by a participating company,
among others.

10. Will I be able to work part-time during the 2 years of the course?
Part-time work, without prior approval from your sponsoring company, is not allowed. This is a fulltime high intensity clinical programme that requires commitment and significant investment of time
and effort. Juggling between full-time studies and a part-time job will be very challenging and may
take a toll on the persons academic performance, family responsibility and health. In recognition of
each trainees full-time commitment under the programme, the monthly training allowance will be
provided even during vacation breaks within the 2-year duration of the course.

11. How many candidates do WDA and MOH target to recruit for this intake?
We are able to take 50 or more, if there are suitable candidates.
II

TRAINING COURSE DETAILS AND PROSPECTS

1. Where can I find information on the courses and professions?

Organisation/Website
Name
Care To Go Beyond

Description

Link

MOHs website on Nursing and

Allied Health professions.

www.caretogobeyond.sg

ITE NITEC in Nursing

Course information on the

NITEC in Nursing course.

NYP School of Health

Sciences

Course information on the

diploma level, nursing and allied
health courses.

www.ite.edu.sg
(Select Full-Time Students FullTime Courses Courses by
School NITEC in Nursing)
www.nyp.edu.sg/shs/courses/continui
ng-education-n-training-cet

2. When do the courses commence?

The respective course commencement dates as provided below:
PCP-EN
PCP-RN
January 2017 (exact date to be April 2017
confirmed)
confirmed)

(exact

date

to

be

3. Where will the training be conducted?

PCP-EN
Classroom training will be conducted at the Institute of Technical Education College East (Simei
Campus). Trainees will also be posted to various hospitals for clinical attachments.
PCP-RN
Classroom training will be conducted at School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, 180 Ang
Mo Kio Avenue 8, Singapore 569830. Trainees will also be posted to various hospitals for clinical
attachments.

4. What are the trainees awarded with upon successful completion of the course?
Upon successful completion of training, graduates are awarded a Diploma or NITEC in their
respective field.
PCP-EN
Graduates from the NITEC in Nursing course will be eligible for registration with the Singapore
Nursing Board (SNB) to practice as enrolled nurses.
PCP-RN
Graduates from NYPs Diploma in Nursing course will be eligible for registration with the Singapore
Nursing Board (SNB) and will be able to practise as professional nurses thereafter.

III

APPLICATION TO THE COURSE

1. How do I apply for the Programme and when is the closing date?
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early via http://app.wda.gov.sg/hrbd/pcp to expedite the
selection and interview process.

Application to the PCP-EN opens from 1 Sep 2016 (9am) and closes 30 Sep 2016 (5pm).

Application to the PCP-RN opens from 1 Sep 2016 (9am) and closes on 14 Oct 2016 (5pm).

Please note that we are unable to accommodate late or incomplete submissions.

For PCP-EN, in-service staff are required to apply through your employer, unless you are in an
administrative or ancillary position.

2. I submitted my online application but wish to make changes to it. How should I go about it?
Interested applicants are advised to check online applications carefully before submission. We are
unable to amend an online application once it has been submitted into the system.

3. Is it compulsory to attach documents to my online application?

It is not compulsory, but we would highly recommend attaching academic transcripts, certificates and
any medical documentation for those with medical history. Applicants shortlisted for an interview
should also be prepared to bring along these documents, current and past employment letters (to
facilitate computation of Training Allowances) and NRIC for the interview.

4. I am interested to apply for more than one occupation/programme. Can I do so?

We highly recommend that applicants apply for only one profession as a clear indication of interest
and commitment to the profession. However, applicants who wish to be considered for other
professions may send an email to WDA_healthcare@wda.gov.sg to indicate your interest.

5. Will there be an interview and when will it be held?

In the online application form, mid-career applicants will be allowed to select up to 3 preferred
participating companies to be considered by for sponsorship. Only shortlisted applicants will be
contacted by MOH Holdings for an interview by a joint interview panel comprising representatives
from the training institutions (where applicable) and participating companies.
Following the interview, shortlisted applicants will be notified by their potential sponsoring company to
attend a compulsory 1-day attachment with the organisation.
PCP-EN
Interviews and attachments are expected to take place from 1 Oct 2016 30 Nov 2016. Successful
applicants will be required to apply for enrolment when ITEs admission exercise opens in mid Dec
2016.

PCP-RN
Interviews and attachments are expected to take place from 1 Oct 2016 31 Dec 2016. Sponsoring
companies will channel applications of shortlisted applicants to NYP for enrolment processing in Jan
2017.

6. When will I know of the results and who will contact me?
Applicants who are shortlisted for interviews will be contacted by MOH Holdings via the email and/or
the phone numbers listed on the application form. Subsequently, WDA will inform the applicants who
have been unsuccessful in various phases. An email notification will be sent to unsuccessful
applicants via WDA_Healthcare@wda.gov.sg.
For enquiries on application status, please send an email to WDA_Healthcare@wda.gov.sg for
assistance, unless otherwise advised by MOH Holdings or the participating companies.

7. If I wish to withdraw my application after submission, how do I go about it?

Applicants who wish to withdraw their applications
wda_healthcare@wda.gov.sg to inform WDA and our partners.

may

send

an

email

to

IV

OTHER ENQUIRIES

1. Where can I get more information?

For more information about the Healthcare PCPs, please visit WDA website at www.wda.gov.sg or
call our hotline at 6883 5885 or contact us through our feedback portal.
For more information about the NITEC in Nursing course, please email ITE at
training@ite.edu.sg.
For more information about the Diploma courses, you can visit NYPs website at
www.nyp.edu.sg/shs/courses/continuing-education-n-training-cet.

2. Will the Healthcare PCPs be available in 2018?

The 2018 intake has not been confirmed. WDA will update those on our emailing list when the next
run is confirmed. Do drop us an email at WDA_Healthcare@wda.gov.sg to indicate your interest to
join our emailing list.

3. Is there a minimum class size for the Healthcare PCPs?

Yes, there is a minimum class size for the PCP-RN. Unlike the other Healthcare PCPs which tap on
existing public runs, the PCP-RN requires a minimum of 15 pax to start the dedicated accelerated
class.

4. Besides having to study hard and doing well in class, what other factors are important for
successful completion?
In order to focus on the course, having adequate financial support throughout the 2 years is crucial.
Applicants are advised to consider their financial commitments prior to undertaking this 2-year training
commitment.
Some sponsoring companies may stipulate minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements to be
fulfilled. Please check with prospective sponsors on this and the consequences of not meeting the
minimum GPA requirements at the end of each academic semester.
The course is demanding and some of the training tasks, especially the clinical attachments, require
physical strength, reach and mobility, and physical fitness is important. Some subjects require
students to perform physical examinations or practice counselling on each other. Therefore, trainees
may be challenged in their physical, psychological and social boundaries while undergoing training.
Discipline, proper time management, good social skills and strong social support from family and
friends are vital when having to manage stress and difficulties encountered during the course.

5. Do the sponsoring companies accept candidates who are into their forties?
There is no age limit for the programme. However due to the nature of the profession, potential
applicants should be mindful of physical requirements of the job. Prior to admission to the course,
applicants will also be required to pass a medical test, and those found with physical handicaps or

medical conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension, Hepatitis B and C, mobility restrictions, AIDS
etc, may be barred from admission.

6. I am currently in employment. When can I tender my resignation?

Applicants are advised to tender their resignation only upon confirmation of sponsorship by the
sponsoring company. Applicants are deemed as official trainees only upon signing the sponsorship
deed, clearance of the medical examination and upon officially acceptance by NYP or ITE. This will
take place in Dec 2016 for PCP-EN, or early 2017 for PCP-RN.

7. What if I become pregnant during the course of the training? Will it affect my funding?
Trainees who become pregnant during the course of the training period will not be affected in terms of
funding support provided. However pregnant trainees may find it challenging to meet attendance and
physical requirements of the course.

8. What will happen if I fail some of the examinations?

Trainees who failed the examination of a module may be allowed to take a supplementary
examination, or re-attempt the module in the subsequent semester, in line with the respective training
institutions policy, and subject to your sponsoring companys approval. Costs of the supplementary or
retaking of the module will be borne by the trainee. Consistent failure of modules may result in
termination of sponsorship.

9. Am I allowed to defer my studies or bond service?

Trainees who wish to defer their studies will have to seek the permission of their sponsoring company,
and the training institution. Upon graduation and commencement of the bond, those who wish to defer
bond service for reasons such as furtherance of studies will have to seek approval from their
sponsoring company first, before applying for such courses. Permission to defer the bond service will
be subject to sponsoring companys needs, and overall academic and work performance of the
individual.