TOTAL REQUEST WAS $176,819 OF WHICH THE VA WILL PAY HALF OR $88,409.50 AND THE SVH WILL CONTRIBUTE THE OTHER HALF. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES ONE-TIME SIGN-ON INCENTIVES FOR NEW HIRES (CNAS, LPNS, AND RNS), ONE-TIME RETENTION INCENTIVES FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES (RNS, LPNS, AND CNAS), ADVANCED CERTIFICATIONS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAININGS, ITEMS FOR NURSE APPRECIATION WEEK, AND GIFT CARDS FOR EMPLOYEES WITH NO CALL OFFS WITHIN A 30 DAY PERIOD. NEW HIRES MUST AGREE TO WORK FOR 12 MONTHS OR WILL HAVE TO REPAY THE FULL AMOUNT. FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES, ONE-TIME PAYMENTS ARE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED 6 OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE. FUNDS WILL ALSO BE USED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ADVANCED CERTIFICATIONS.