Is there already a thread for RNs waiting to hear about awards from the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program?

When I search, I can only find previous year's threads.

https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/449

Staying positive just works for me, I'm one of those people that just smile for no reason.....It just seems to make my day better......It's contagious!!! I figure if I'm gonna have to work every day, I might as well be happy about it!!!! The funny thing is, I think by the time I acutally get the award, I'll know what I'm doing....lol

Your positive thinking and great attitude is great for all of us!

So only one person in our blog has received something about intent to accept and banking information and that was about May 12, is that right? Has anyone else received anthing like that or did I miss it?

I called BCRS today because my application still only says submitted. I've had no changes to the app or credit checks (my husband checks our credit reports every day). My biggest concern is that the facility changed names in 2007 when it became a free standing pediatric hospital. The HPSA score and disproportionate share info is still under the old name but the new address. The phone rep said that would not be an issue. I was told that there was a glitch to the apps being updated on what was submitted vs under review so that it may not be current. The phone reps are completely separate from those reviewing the apps, he used the word "sequestered" away from anyone who talks to applicants.

I am 60% debt to salary ratio, an NP w/ a HPSA score of 13 and I work at a disproportionate share hospital system. Crossing fingers

So only one person in our blog has received something about intent to accept and banking information and that was about May 12, is that right? Has anyone else received anthing like that or did I miss it?

I believe you are correct but she is applying as nurse faculty, and my understanding is that they have a different application and separate ranking tiers. So my guess, anyways, is that they may not have sent out any emails for the RN/NP applicants yet....??

Well, I guess no one heard anything this week:no:

Well, I guess no one heard anything this week:no:

I wish!!!

I wish, too!! My "summer" seems to be flying by already, but somehow this process still feels like it's dragging on forever...

Well, everyone, if you want some not so light reading - and your bubble burst all at the same time - click this link and search the document for NELRP: http://www.hrsa.gov/about/budget/budgetjustification2013.pdf

It looks like there is less money this year than last year, less awards this year than last year, and as we all know - WAY more popularity of this program than last year. From talking on the phone to the HRSA folks, it sounds like they received a ton more applications than they expected. All of these tidbits, combined with the 50% allocation for NPs/Faculty, make getting the NELRP award as a floor nurse little more than a shot in the dark. So, congratulations to the eligible faculty and NP's, extra congratulations to those who have already heard good news (What is that? One person so far on this forum?), and for the rest of us, start trying to look for creative ways to pay off our own debts on our own. I find that overtime helps. After reading all of the fretting and worrying and seeing all the frowny/stressed out emoticons, it looks like the psychological burden of anticipation is perhaps larger than some of our financial burdens. Perhaps it might do a few of us well to forget about the NELRP and just count it as a red-hot, fantastic miracle if we actually do get a good news email some time before the leaves fall off the trees this Autumn. Try to live in the moment, re-budget to afford our own debts, and remember exactly why we do what we do every day at work... Good luck, everyone. And remember, if you really are awarded - they will absolutely try their hardest to get a hold of you. Trust me, your spam filter won't be the reason you don't get the NELRP...

Does anyone know if HRSA looks at the mental health hpsa score only if the nurse is a mental health nurse/NP or for anyone? I had ruled myself out because my facility's primary care hpsa score inexplicably dropped way down last month (and it was only 9 to begin with), but then reading the guidance, I am not sure if it matters since our mental health hpsa is 16 and not going to change. What do you guys think or what have you read/heard? I would be super excited if the mental health score counted because that would put me in tier 1 after all, although my debt to income is still just 95%, not as high as a lot of people's.

Threeseas, can you tell us which page shows the budget for NELRP RN's? I was looking at pages 152+ and found the budget for APN's and nurse faculty, but nothing specifically for the rest of us. With 400+ pages, it's a lot to look through!

Rachel, I'm not positive, and I don't think the guidelines were clear on this either, but I *think* it's whichever is higher. My mental health score is also higher, so I'm hoping they take the higher score. I wish things some things were black and white, but unfortunately they're not.

So... I think I found the answer to my own question. It looks like the budget for NELRP starts on page 79. And from what I can see, the budget will be the same as last year (this award cycle is considered FY 2013). FY 2013 goes from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013. This is why the awards are made by the end of September. Last year they made awards for $83 million (749 awards), versus about $93 million (919 awards) the year before.

If this is correct, then we (RN's) still have a shot! Aside from the changes made for allocations for NP's and faculty...