Scholarships funded through Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing Program
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON) has been awarded Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) funding through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program. Grants provided through this program will be used for scholarships to maximize diversity and increase the quantity of students enrolled in MNSON's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program.
This national initiative was launched by RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The program aims to help alleviate the nation's nursing shortage by dramatically expanding the pipeline of students in accelerated nursing programs.
"Loyola is honored to receive a grant that is in concert with our Jesuit values of giving back to disadvantaged populations," said Vicki Keough, PhD, RN-Cs, ACNP, CCRN, professor and acting dean, MNSON. "This grant will allow Loyola to attract and educate a diverse group of individuals who might not otherwise have made a change to a career in nursing."
Scholarships in the amount of $10,000 will be awarded to 15 accelerated nursing students enrolled in the spring 2010 semester. Award preference will be given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Groups underrepresented in nursing include men, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and students with financial limitations. Grant funding also will be used by schools to help leverage support for new faculty resources and provide mentoring and leadership development to ensure successful program completion by scholarship recipients.
"New Careers in Nursing aims to safeguard the health of the nation by easing the nurse and nurse faculty shortage. Nurses are critical to delivering health care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable," said RWJF Senior Adviser for Nursing Susan B. Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN. "This important initiative also will advance the Foundation's strategic goal of promoting a health professional workforce that reflects the diversity of the American public."