Nurses practicing in New Mexico who want to continue their professional development would be eligible for financial assistance from the state under a proposal announced by Gov. Susana Martinez.
Martinez detailed the proposal Friday during a visit to Eastern New Mexico University.
By expanding the nursing loan-for-service program, she says the state's health care workforce would be bolstered.
She says all but one of the state's 33 counties are considered health professional shortage areas by the federal government.
The loan-for-service program currently provides financial assistance only to nursing educators employed by the state's colleges and universities to pursue higher degrees in nursing. Under the proposal, eligibility would be expanded to any nurses practicing in the state.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.