According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Special Report on the Characteristics of the Registered Nurse Population in Pennsylvania (distributed in November of 2002): * Average age of RNs employed in health care is 45.9 years. * Almost one-third (32%) of RNs are between the ages 50-64. * As many as 47% of RNs plan to leave nursing within the next 10 years. The “baby boomer” generation is getting older; coincidentally, the need of long-term care is increasing, and the cost of nursing education is on the rise—all of which mean the nursing shortage Pennsylvania is facing will only worsen. To help recruit and retain qualified nursing students in Pennsylvania, the "Nursing Loan Forgiveness for Healthier Futures" program will help you repay your student loans. By working for a participating Pennsylvania health care organization, after graduation from an approved nursing education program, you may receive student loan forgiveness for up to 25 percent (a maximum of $12,500) of your eligible debt over a three-year period.