NY Times article: loss of license

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

When Unpaid Student Loan Bills Mean You Can No Longer Work - The New York Times

This article illuminates a little known state law that penalizes people behind in their student loans by taking away licenses. Licenses can include:

Fishing

Hunting

Driving

Professional licenses:

Firefighters

Lawyers

Teaching

CNA

Nursing

I had no idea this was in existence. Many people who have the "dream" of nursing will try to obtain their license through expensive, private for-profit schools. They would seem to be the most at risk of not paying their loans and having their license suspended.

I personally had no idea this existed and wanted to share. I couldn't imagine receiving that notice in the mail. Scary thought. This affects people's livelihood and ability to pay.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

In Illinois, you can lose your license if you're behind on child support, too.

[caliotter3]

Not paying state taxes will do it too.

[elkpark]

Lots of states have those kind of rules, but many people don't realize it until they lose their licenses.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Thank you for sharing this.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I didn't know firefighters were licensed.

My DH is a licensed commercial real estate broker. He could lose his license for similar reasons.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Pulling professional licenses for student loan default was intended for doctors and lawyers, who are often self-employed. It's not hard to structure a business so you have no income on paper.

How do they expect someone who can no longer work in their chosen profession, or drive to another job, to earn enough money to pay off their student loans? Why not just garnishee their wages instead? Better yet, make student loan debt dischageable in bankruptcy, like every other form of debt. And increase higher education debt so students don't pay $600+ for one credit at a state school. My mother graduated form college in 1973, and she paid $1,500 for 2 years of full-time undergrad credit. The same school charges more than that for one 3-credit class.

Higher education has become a racket.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

That should say "And increase higher education *funding* so students don't pay $600+ for one credit at a state school."

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

What a stupid, stupid, stupid law. Garnish the Nurses wage. Work out a payment agreement. Something but taking their livelihood away pretty much guarantees no payment ever

[elkpark]

What a stupid, stupid, stupid law. Garnish the Nurses wage. Work out a payment agreement. Something but taking their livelihood away pretty much guarantees no payment ever

There's something preventing people who were bright and capable enough to get a professional license in the first place and function in that role from getting a job doing something else (something that doesn't require a professional license) if they need to in order to meet their financial obligations? All people have to do to avoid this situation is be responsible about keeping up with their debts and taxes in the first place. Professional licensure is a privilege, not a right.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to nursing news

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

I have to respectfully disagree Elk. People fall into financial problems for all kinds of reasons. Medical issues in the family, unemployment of one you support, accidents, divorce..... Sometimes people are just bad with money and make bad choices. Personally I don't see what financial acumen has to do with caring for the sick. Heck we've had several Presidents (including this one) who have had severe financial problems up to and including bankruptcy. I think if you can be the leader of the most powerful country in the world despite a history of poor financial decisions you should be able to be a nurse also.