Every list that rates the fastest growing job opportunity industries rate the healthcare field as number one. Nursing jobs rank high on the healthcare jobs that will experience growth in the next few years. Nursing is a rewarding field of work, and the shortage of qualified nurses almost guarantees job security.
Education for Nurses
Most nurses must have a bachelor's degree in nursing to qualify for the top nursing jobs. In tough economic times, many potential nursing students may hesitate to incur the debt of a four year degree. But, there are opportunities to obtain the nursing degree, work in an industry with high job satisfaction, and have portions of the loan forgiven. Even nurses already working might qualify for a student loan forgiveness program.
Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses Programs
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 makes it possible for nurses working full-time in public service jobs to qualify for forgiveness of their eligible student loans. The nurse must have already made 120 monthly payments on their loan while they are employed. After those 120 payments have been made, the nurses working in public service jobs will have the remaining amount of the loan forgiven and will not be responsible for repayment.
Types of Loans Eligible for Forgiveness Programs
Any loan that has not entered into default would be considered eligible for loan forgiveness. These types of loans include:
Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans
Federal Direct PLUS Loans - for parents and graduate students
Other types of loans may also qualify under the student loan forgiveness program if they are consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan. One caveat is that any payments that were made before the consolidation will not count towards the 120 month payments that must be made before the loan is forgiven.
Nurse Eligibility
A registered nurse will be considered eligible if they have completed their training and received a nursing diploma, associate's degree, bachelor's degree or graduate degree and is licensed in their state of employment. The degree must be conferred from an accredited school in the United States.
Eligible nurses must be employed full-time, working at least 32 hours per week at either a non-profit facility or as a faculty member of a school of nursing. The nurse has to be a United States citizen or a National and Lawful Permanent Resident.
Non-profit facilities that are considered include:
Federally Qualified Health Centers, Indian Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, Native Hawaiian Health Centers
Nursing Homes
Hospice Programs
Home Health Agencies
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
State or Local Public Health or Human Services Departments
Potential Nursing Students
If you want to embark on a career of helping people but are uncertain about the high cost of education, entering a nursing school and giving back two years to work in a qualified medical facility might be right for you. Through the Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses Program a substantial portion of your loan would not have to be repaid. Plus, you would be helping vulnerable populations in need of care.
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