Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Nurses are vital to our system at OPWDD, to our provider partners and to many of our sister state agencies, which rely on their skills and compassionate care to deliver needed medical services and support to New Yorkers.
That’s why Governor Kathy Hochul approved funding for the Nurses Across New York (NANY) Loan Repayment Program through the New York State Department of Health (DOH), so loan repayment assistance can be made directly to Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNS) who provide direct patient care in our state- and provider-operated facilities in underserved areas. Nurses currently in these roles can learn more details and how to express their interest and begin the process AT THIS LINK. All applications are due to [email protected] by January 14, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
This innovative program works by providing state agencies, including OPWDD, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the Office of Mental Health (OMH), and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), with funding to repay the nurses’ qualified educational debt in exchange for the nurse’s commitment to work in an underserved area for three years. The Contract Term Service Obligation will run from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2029, and award amounts are up to $25,000 for RNs and $10,000 for LPNs.
All details about the program can be found here. While the Nurses Across New York Loan Repayment Program is not a new program, this is the first funding opportunity issued by the New York State Department of Health for the NANY Loan Repayment Program that specifically addresses the recruitment and retention challenges faced by OPWDD, our provider partners and other state agencies. We encourage our provider partners to share this information with their own nursing staff.
I also encourage everyone to share this important information with nurses you know. If you know an RN or an LPN interested in making a meaningful impact, OPWDD and our non-profit service providers are actively hiring across the state. Thank you for your attention and for helping us to continue to improve our system by supporting the dedicated nurses who are so crucial to our mission.
Sincerely,
Willow Baer
Commissioner
