Loans went out in January to the first nine recipients of the Nursing Student Loan Program, modified by Arkansas Legislation in 2009 to address the problems regarding a shortage of nursing faculty.

 

“What we have found is the biggest part of the nursing shortage was caused by a bottleneck where people couldn’t get into nursing school because there is not enough nursing faculty,” said Arkansas Nursing Board Executive Director Faith Fields. “What this legislation did was allow us to give scholarships to people who wanted to further their education to get a master’s degree or doctorate. After graduation, they are required to teach in Arkansas in order to have the loan forgiven.”

 

Fields has been pleased with the response to the law signed in February 2009. Nine applicants who met the qualifications received loans in January of this year. The legislation authorized loans of up to $20,000 per year for nurses pursuing graduate degrees that could lead to qualifying for teaching positions. The previous limit for the program was $6,000 per year.

 

Dr. Carolyn Mosley, dean of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith College of Health Sciences, said the new loan program is an important step in addressing the shortage of nurses.

 

“There is a shortage nationally, in Arkansas, and here in Fort Smith,” Mosley said. “If you just pick up the newspaper and look at the employment section, you see the need for nurses. People are interested in teaching in healthcare fields, particularly nursing, but one of the hindering factors is always finances. This bill expands the amount a student can borrow and the length of time available for the education process. Finances should no longer be a hindrance. I think that is critical.”