Senate Bill 911 would provide student loan forgiveness to nurses who become employed at Pennsylvania’s six state veterans homes.

“Care facilities across Pennsylvania are having trouble attracting and retaining qualified nurses, and this problem is being particularly felt by those who served their nation in the military,” said Robbins, a Vietnam War veteran.  “Nursing is a fulfilling, noble profession, and caring for those who defended our freedom is a special calling.  This bill will encourage more nurses to consider long-term employment at state veterans homes.”

Senate Bill 911 would provide newly hired nurses at state veterans homes with reimbursement equal to the cost of tuition at the State System of Higher Education.  Nurses, in turn, would be required to work in a state veterans home for at least five years.  The legislation is based on Pennsylvania’s highly successful National Guard Educational Assistance Program.

“This bill sends the message that Pennsylvania is committed to nurses who make a commitment to Pennsylvania.  The truth is, we’re encouraging them to stay in Pennsylvania and do their important work here, where it is greatly needed,” said Robbins.

Pennsylvania’s six state veterans homes are:

• Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home (Erie County) Opened 1886; 175 beds

• Hollidaysburg Veterans Home (Blair County) Opened 1977; 514 beds

• Southeastern Veterans Center (Chester County) Opened 1986; 304 beds

• Gino J. Merli Northeastern Veterans Center (Lackawanna County) Opened 1994; 200 beds

• Southwestern Veterans Center (Allegheny County) Opened 1997; 236 beds

• Delaware Valley Veterans Home (Philadelphia County) Opened 2003; 170 beds

Senate Bill 911 will head next to the Senate Appropriations Committee before it is considered by the full Senate.