Barry University’s Division of Nursing receives $477,000 for Nurse Faculty Loan

Oct. 15, 2009
Gladys Amador
(305)899-4919

Miami Shores, Fla. - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Barry University’s Division of Nursing $477,000 for nursing students.

The loan program is geared toward helping close the gap in the nation’s nursing shortage by allowing nurses wanting to continue their education and return to school to earn their master’s or doctoral degrees in nursing education.

A nurse accepted into the Nurse Faculty Loan Program can expect an 85 percent forgiveness policy, meaning only 15 percent of the loan would be paid back, if they begin teaching as a full-time faculty member at any college or university, including Barry, for five years after graduation.

Barry University began admitting students to its Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) program in 2008 to prepare students for advanced nursing as qualified clinical preceptors, for undergraduate and graduate nursing students as well as for academic faculty positions.

“The key to addressing the nursing shortage is the production of nursing faculty,” said College of Health Sciences Dean, Dr. Pegge L. Bell. “The Division of Nursing has remained committed to producing nursing faculty for Florida, despite faculty vacancies that continue to exist across the state. This loan program will make the difference in the recruitment and production of nurses who will become the faculty needed by all of Florida’s nursing programs.