Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in Worcester is offering loan repayment services to its nursing staff, contributing up to $10,200 toward an employee’s loan payment.
The initiative, the center said Tuesday, will apply to existing workers and new hires moving forward. The center includes a 107-bed care facility and a 43-bed rest home.
Molly Welch, the regional director of admissions and marketing for Lutheran’s parent company, Sheehan Health Group, said the company found the program to be a vital need to stay competitive in recruitment and retention efforts in an industry with high demand for workers.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, for example, has said a nursing shortage is projected in the coming years as an aging population creates a larger need. In the meantime, nursing schools are struggling to expand capacity to educate more nurses, the association said.
Lutheran is pairing with Gradifi, a Boston loan repayment company, to give nurses the option of monthly contributions toward their student loans. All full-time licensed staff nurses are eligible.
