Nurse Faculty Loan Program - Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Nursing respectfully requests new Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) funding for students enrolled in the Master of Science (MS) in Nursing, Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program with plans to become nurse faculty, to increase the number of qualified faculty needed to address the nursing workforce shortage. LLU's School of Nursing offers several nursing tracks to choose from. Students can obtain an RN-Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Nursing, a BS degree in Nursing, a MS focused on nursing Education, with options to choose Nursing Education Track focused in Adult or Pediatrics Nursing, or Nursing Leadership. LLU's DNP and PhD programs enable those who have either a BSN or MS/MSN degree to take the next step in their education in becoming future nurse educators, making these programs uniquely situated for this opportunity. There is an alarming shortage of qualified nurse educators in California and nationwide. To solve the nurse faculty shortage problem, it is essential to explore ways to recruit, support, and retain qualified nurse educators. The NFLP fund and loan forgiveness program will incentivize, support, and augment nurse faculty to promote a skilled and robust faculty workforce. Program goals The LLU School of Nursing will increase the number of nurse faculty supporting populations in Southern California, by providing advanced training, certification, funding through NFLP loans, and loan forgiveness to nurse educators. To support a minimum of 14 advanced nursing students, the LLU School of Nursing requests $644,000 to establish a loan fund that will cover tuition, fees, books, and related expenses for most students. Loans will be forgiven up to 85% in exchange for up to 4 years of full-time nurse faculty employment. Measurable outcomes: LLU will enroll a total of 14 MS, DNP, PhD students in the 2026-2027 academic year, all of whom are eligible for NFLP loans and forgiveness, thereby increasing the odds of successful graduation and faculty placement. Program objectives: 1. Provide NFLP loan funding to cover program tuition and expenses for 14 recipients, including: a. 6-8 full-time nursing faculty who have an MSN degree to enroll in the Doctoral of Nursing Practice courses needed for the MS-DNP completion. b. 1-2 part-time nursing educators at LLUMC who want to obtain a BS-MS degree from LLU c. 1-4 full-time nursing educators who want to obtain a BS-PhD or MS-PhD degree from LLU. 2.Administer loans including student financial advising, loan dispersion, interest calculation, and collection schedules and billing. 3.Track program and graduate outcomes to measure program performance and ascertain loan forgiveness eligibility. 4.Collaborate with local hospitals and practices to place LLU graduates in clinical teaching roles. 5.Utilize the Adventist Nurse Educator Consortium (ANEC) group to market and recruit current faculty who meet criteria and provide funding for them to attain a doctoral degree. 6.Increase the number of younger nursing faculty with a terminal degree to replace the faculty who will be expected to retire. Program strategy, summarized Dr. Kimberly Dunker, PhD, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, CNEcl, PHN MS/DNP Program Director of LLU School of Nursing, will serve as Program Director. Students can apply for loan consideration starting September 2026. Applicants will be deemed qualified if they are enrolled in LLUs MS, DNP, or PhD program with the intent to teach at an accredited nursing school post-graduation. All recipients will receive sufficient entry and exit counseling, being made aware of loan interest rates, repayment schedules, and loan forgiveness requirements. The Department of Student finance, along with the Assistant Dean of Finance, will administer loan dispersal and collection. Dr. Lisa Roberts, DrPH, MSN, FNP-BC, CHES, FAANP, FAAN, Research Director of LLU School of Nursing, will assist with data reporting
