Salve helps nursing students lower education cost, establish pathways to employment

As Rhode Island combats a shortage of health care workers and nursing students face rising education costs, Salve Regina University has launched a new program that works to address both challenges. The University recently joined Scholars Network, a clinical talent recruitment and employer-sponsored loan repayment program that builds a pipeline of highly skilled new employees with a focus on forging long-term careers.  

Since launching the program in the fall of 2025, Salve has had six scholars representing more than $240,000 in committed loan repayment accept positions in local health care institutions, with additional offers in process. Nursing majors Juliana Webber '26, Cameron Belair '26 and Nicole Danehy '26, have accepted offers from Southcoast Health, and Madison Hayward '26, Haylie Maillet '26 and first-year student Valeria Parmenidez '29, have accepted offers from Women & Infants Hospital in Providence. 

After they graduate and pass their state nursing board licensure, they will each begin a three-year commitment working for those facilities, with their student loan repayment beginning immediately.

The Scholars Network program at Salve is available to undergraduate nursing students as well as RN-to-BSN students (providing they are not already working in the participating institutions). To ensure flexibility, if they opt to leave the role in fewer than three years, loan repayment is prorated to match their tenure. The program supports students looking for roles as registered nurses, medical imaging professionals, physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, physician assistants, pharmacists and more.  

Salve is one of just three universities in Rhode Island (and 50 in the nation) that have a formal partnership with the Scholars Network.  

What does this opportunity mean to a nursing student?

Through the Scholars Network program at Salve, Belair has secured a role on the cardiovascular stepdown unit at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She shared her thoughts on the impact this program is having as she finishes her final year at Salve.

"Being accepted into this program and having a position already secured after graduation provides me with an incredible sense of stability and direction as I begin my nursing career," she said. "The student loan forgiveness aspect helps me and my family tremendously, easing a significant financial burden and allowing me to focus more fully on my growth as a nurse." 

She added, "In addition to the financial support, I am especially excited about the nurse residency program. Overall, this program gives me both peace of mind and a major advantage as I transition from student to practicing nurse, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity."

When asked how her Salve experience and this program have helped to shape her career path, Belair said, "My experience in Salve's nursing program has truly equipped me to begin practicing as a new graduate nurse with confidence. I feel very well-prepared, and I'm excited to be transitioning from a nursing student to a professional nurse."

Her goal, she said, is "to become the best nurse, advocate and source of comfort and safety for my patients as they recover and transition to a higher level of independence, and I believe Charlton Memorial Hospital is the perfect spot for me to achieve my dreams!"