November 5, 2007
Contact:
 Anna Gustafson
717-787-2637
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Senate Update
by
Senator James J. Rhoades

Pennsylvania is facing a looming shortage of qualified nurses to serve patients in our hospitals. Nearly one-third of current registered nurses are age 50 or older, and nearly half of all RNs plan to leave nursing in the next 10 years. Coupled with the state's aging population, the demand for quality health care professionals is expected to rise considerably in the immediate future.  

To help attract quality nursing candidates to meet the growing health care needs in the state, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency offers the Nursing Loan Forgiveness for Healthier Futures program. For eligible applicants, this program can eliminate up to 25 percent or $12,500 of student loan debt over three years. Participating health care providers will match this loan forgiveness as well, taking a great deal of the financial stress off of nursing graduates. 

To be eligible for the program, applicants must complete a qualifying program of study no earlier than 2007 and be certified as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse or nurse educator in Pennsylvania within three months of graduation. Applicants must then begin full-time employment at a participating licensed care facility in Pennsylvania in a direct patient care role within three months, or as a nurse educator at a participating postsecondary institution in Pennsylvania within one year of graduation. 

Nursing students must complete at least one full year of continuous, full-time, direct patient care employment and have their employer verify this information to receive the loan forgiveness. Applicants must also retain outstanding PHEAA owned, guaranteed and serviced federal Stafford loans in good standing. 

To be considered for the program, applicants must apply by December 31, 2007, so I would urge interested district residents to learn more about the program at their earliest convenience. Nursing is considered by many to be a rewarding and satisfying career path for those interested in caring for others. More information on the Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program is available at my district offices or online at www.pheaa.org.

Senator Rhoades represents the 29th Senatorial District, which includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton Counties.