Nurse Student Loan Refinance - 60-Second Decision
RNs, NPs, CRNAs: refi vs PSLF, picked fast. Not tuned to physicians or general consumers.
Overall pick for nurses at stable employers: Laurel Road (has a nurse-specific product with med-pro rate tiers).
Check my Laurel Road rate (soft pull) -> Affiliate disclosure: links earn a referral commission on funded loans. Primary pick reflects nurse-specific features, not payout size.- You work for a 501(c)(3) hospital and are on track for PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness).
- You expect to need Income-Driven Repayment in the near future.
The 60-second decision tree
- 501(c)(3) hospital + on track for PSLF? Don't refi. Stay on PSLF and certify annually.
- Non-profit employer, not pursuing PSLF? Run the refi math vs 10-year PSLF projection.
- For-profit hospital / private practice? Refi usually wins if your credit is prime.
- Travel nurse with variable income? Earnest (flexible payments) or stay federal until income stabilizes.
The four that actually compete for nurse borrowers
Side-by-side
| Feature | Laurel Road | SoFi | Splash | Earnest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse-specific product | Yes (RN / NP / CRNA) | No | No | No |
| Rate type | Fixed + variable | Fixed + variable | Fixed + variable | Fixed + variable |
| Soft-pull rate check | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Min credit | ~680 | ~680 | ~660 | ~650 |
| Flexibility | Standard | Unemployment protection | Multi-lender shopping | Custom payments, skip-a-payment |
| Best for | Stable-employer RN/NP/CRNA | General + perks | Borderline credit | Variable income |
PSLF - the single biggest thing to check first
Public Service Loan Forgiveness forgives remaining federal student-loan balance after 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hospital or government.
What disqualifies PSLF:
- For-profit hospitals or corporate chain private practices.
- Staffing agency / travel-nurse company as employer (even if placed at nonprofit).
- Less than full-time hours.
If any of these apply, you're leaving no money on the table by refinancing.
Trust
- All four lenders are affiliate partners. Payouts on funded loans are in a similar range; primary pick is based on nurse fit.
- Your quoted APR depends on credit, income, loan size, and term. Soft-pull rates are not the final number.
- Not financial advice. If you're within 1-2 years of PSLF qualification, talk to a student-loan advisor first.
FAQ
Can I refi federal loans into private?
Yes, but you permanently lose IDR plans and federal forgiveness options. Not reversible.
What about Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program?
HRSA's Nurse Corps pays up to 85% of unpaid debt for service at critical-shortage facilities. Apply there before refinancing if eligible.
Can I refi only private loans?
Yes - most lenders allow this, which keeps federal protections on your federal balance. Often the right move.
Want a personal intro to the right vendor?
Tell us your situation and we'll forward your details to the matched vendor — they'll follow up with you directly. Same price either way; we earn a referral fee from the vendor only if you sign up.