Interest paid off for La. nurses (The Advocate)

Nursing students who stay in Louisiana and work full time after graduating won’t have to pay interest on their college loans under a program announced Tuesday by the Louisiana Education Loan Authority.

The Loan Authority hopes to ease the state’s shortage of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, which spokeswoman Pam Hutchinson described as “severe.”

“Any measure that makes it easier for nurses to either be educated or pay for their education will have a positive impact on both the nursing profession in general, and the state of Louisiana,” said Dr. Sandra Harper, president of Our Lady of the Lake College.

The state faces a “tremendous” shortage of nurses, Harper said. Making it easier for them to pay off loans and stay in the state has to be considered “very, very positive.”

The Louisiana Health Works Commission has estimated the state now needs to fill 4,000 to 5,000 slots for registered nurses and 2,500 for licensed practical nurses. The shortfall is expected to grow to 6,000 RNs and 3,500 LPNs as more New Orleans area hospitals re-open and recover.



More... Interest paid off for La. nurses (The Advocate)