Endicott College has received a $587,373 federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to help prepare the next generation of nurse educators and address a critical shortage of nursing faculty nationwide.
The funding supports the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), which provides low-interest loans to eligible graduate nursing students pursuing careers in nursing education. Participants who meet qualifying employment requirements after graduation may have up to 85% of their loans canceled, making advanced education more accessible to nurses interested in teaching and mentoring future healthcare professionals.
Through the award, Endicott's Cummings School of Nursing & Health Sciences will provide financial support to eligible students pursuing advanced degrees in nursing, including the M.S. in Nursing Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Ph.D. in Nursing, and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) programs.
The investment comes as nursing schools nationwide face a growing challenge in educating enough nurses to meet healthcare workforce demands. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, in 2025, more than 93,000 qualified applicants to nursing programs were not accepted, with shortages of qualified faculty, clinical preceptors, and training opportunities limiting enrollment.
“The future of nursing depends on developing nurse scholars and clinicians who advance research, generate new knowledge, and translate evidence into practice. We must remove financial barriers to graduate education and invest in preparing the next generation of nurse scientists, researchers, clinicians, and educators,” said Anna Goddard, Chair of Endicott’s Ph.D. Nursing Program.
Endicott has participated in the Nurse Faculty Loan Program since 2015, building more than a decade of experience supporting graduate nursing students pursuing academic and clinical teaching careers.
The College's graduate nursing programs are designed with working healthcare professionals in mind, offering flexible learning pathways that allow students to advance their education while continuing their careers. Students also benefit from partnerships with more than 70 healthcare organizations, providing opportunities for clinical learning, professional mentorship, and career development.
For nurses considering a transition into education or for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who work full-time as preceptors in academic-practice partnerships, the program offers a pathway to expand their impact beyond direct patient care.
“Investing in one nurse educator creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the classroom. Each educator prepares future generations of nurses, advances evidence-based practice, and strengthens the nursing workforce for years to come,” added Goddard.
NFLP loans can cover qualifying educational expenses, including tuition, fees, and books. Eligible graduates who complete the required service commitment in qualifying nurse faculty or faculty-appointed advanced practice preceptor roles may receive loan cancellation of up to 85% over four years.
By reducing financial barriers to graduate education, Endicott aims to help more nurses pursue teaching careers, strengthen the pipeline of qualified nursing faculty, and ultimately expand nursing programs’ capacity to educate future generations of healthcare professionals.
For more information about Endicott's graduate nursing programs and Nurse Faculty Loan Program eligibility, please email gradfinaid@endicott.edu.