Nurses are in high demand. The demand is increasing due to the fact that nurses are not being recruited at a rate equal to or greater than the number of nurses retiring. An increase in demand is predicted to continue until 2010. Prospective students and recent graduates are reaping the benefits of the current demand in the field. Many recent nursing graduates are receiving flexible work schedules, signing bonuses, and other incentives to encourage them to remain in the work force. Prospective nursing students can expect to receive aid through scholarships and grants.

The median salary for nurses is substantial for an entry level nurse. The median income in 2008 was nearly $63,000. Because of the current shortage of nurses, those entering the field can expect a certain level of job security until the market saturates. Nurses can also join the Union for additional security. Twenty one percent of nurses in the medical field belong to a Union. Nurse practitioners, anesthetics, mid wives, and clinical specialists are all fields that a prospective student of nursing may consider.

Federal Nursing Scholarships

The Health and Human Services department awards federal scholarships to undergraduate nursing students through its Nursing Scholarship Program. To become eligible for the scholarship the student must be enrolled at least half time in an accredited nursing program. Award recipients will receive full tuition and a $1500 per month stipend. In exchange, students awarded the scholarship must agree to serve two years in an underserved community.

Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students
A federally funded scholarship also exists for disadvantage students pursuing the field of nursing. Interested parties should inquire for more information on the website.

State Nursing Scholarship

The State Nursing Scholarship is awarded through Maryland’s Higher Education Commission. Undergraduate nursing students are eligible for the scholarship. Applicants must prove that they are residents of Maryland, and the applicant must have a 3.0 GPA. If the applicant receives the scholarship, he or she must agree to serve in one of the selected Maryland health facilities upon graduation.

Indiana’s Student Assistance Commission
Undergraduate nursing students are eligible to apply for the scholarship offered by Indiana’s Student Assistance Commission program. The candidates must be residents of the state of Indiana. Students must exhibit an economic need in order to be eligible to receive the scholarship. The recipient of the scholarship must serve within an Indiana state health facility upon graduation.

Service League Nursing Scholarship
The Akron General Medical Center Development Foundation awards a scholarship to a student who is accepted by an accredited college of nursing in Ohio. The scholarships are awarded solely on the candidate’s academic performance and financial need. The deadline for the application is March 1 of each year, and eligible candidates must have a 3.0 GPA. Scholarship recipients will be graduates of a high school in Ohio. Eligible candidates may also be an employee or spouse, son, or daughter of an employee of Akron General Medical Center.

Bertha P. Singer Nurses Scholarship
The sponsor of the Bertha P. Singer Nurses Scholarship is the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. Applicants are eligible for the scholarship in either their second year of a two year associate nursing degree program or in their third year of a four year nursing degree program. The student’s program of study must be completed in the state of Oregon. Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

Bethesda Scholarships for College Students
Bethesda Lutheran Homes are seeking nursing candidates interested in working in fields that support individuals with developmental disabilities. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who attend Lutheran college, are in their second year or higher year of study, and who have worked at least 100 hours of paid or volunteer work in the field of developmental disabilities. Bethesda is seeking those individuals with a genuine interest in pursuing a career within this field.

C.R. Bard Foundation, Inc. Nursing Scholarship
The C.R. Bard Foundation awards scholarships to students who excel academically, exhibit leadership qualities and are involved in extracurricular activities. These students must also have an interest in a career in the health industry. Special consideration will be given to students who have an interest and display a financial need. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be currently enrolled in a program that is recognized by the Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ). Examples of those Universities are as follows: Felician College, Bloomfield College, Monmouth University, College of Saint Elizabeth, St. Peter’s College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Seton Hall University.

The student must be carrying at least a 9 credit course load at the time of the award and at least be within their second semester of their sophomore year.

The Children’s CHANCES Scholarship
The Childrens’s CHANCES scholarship is available for students who are pursuing a career in pediatric nursing. To be eligible for the award, the applicant must be accepted into a nursing program and apply by March 1 of each calendar year. The application process entails an essay on Pediatric Nursing, two letters of recommendation, and an interview. Recipients of the Children’s CHANCES scholarship will receive $16,000 per academic year for two years. The recipient is required, upon graduation, to work as a Registered Nurse in the Children’s Hospital for 18 months per year of support received from the organization.

National College Nursing Scholarship
The Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation through Nova Southeastern University awards scholarships through the use of Internet based quiz competitions. Each scholarship is designed to award students who have common knowledge or practical knowledge in the field of nursing. However, the student’s academics may not be reflective of their knowledge.

The student must first register with Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation to become eligible to participate in the competition. Once a student registers, the registration remains valid from high school to graduate school. Each student will take one or more quizzes to demonstrate their knowledge within the nursing field of study. The scholarship will be awarded to the student who performs best on the quizzes.

Nursing Associations

Name: National Association of Arab American Nurses (NAAAN)
Degree: AS, BS, MS, RN-BSN
Amount: $500 – $1000
Length: Awarded annually
Qualifiers: Must be pursuing a nursing degree
URL: https://n-aana.org/scholarship/index.asp

Name: Charlotte McGuire Scholarship
Degree: Any nursing
Amount: Determined by scholarship committee
Qualifiers: Must be pursuing degree in holistic nursing
Other: Scholarship offered by the American Holistic Nurses Assn.
URL: http://www.ahna.org/AboutUs/DonateSponsor/CharlotteMcGuireScholarships/tabid/2193/Default.aspx

Sororities and Fraternities

Name: Chi Eta Phi Aliene Carrington Ewell Scholarship
Degree: Contact Chi Eta Phi for specific information.
Qualifiers: Must be an African-American student studying nursing
Other: Must be a member of Chi Eta Phi
URL: http://www.chietaphi.com/

Name: Chi Eta Phi Mabel Keaton Staupers National Scholarship Award
Degree: Contact Chi Eta Phi for specific information.
Qualifiers: Must be an African-American student studying nursing
Other: Must be a member of Chi Eta Phi
URL: http://www.chietaphi.com/scholar.html

Name: Alpha Tau Delta Miriam Fay Furlong Scholarship
Degree: RN-BSN
Amount: $1,000
Qualifiers: In junior or senior year of nursing school
Other: Member of Alpha Tau Delta
URL: http://www.atdnursing.org/awards.htm

Historical Societies

Name: Caroline E. Holt Nursing DAR Scholarship
Degree: RN-BSN
Amount: $500 – 10 awards
Length: Once. Can be reapplied for.
Qualifiers: Must be an undergraduate student enrolled in nursing school
Other: Must be eligible for member ship in NSDAR, CAR or SR
URL: http://dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm#nursing

Name: Madeline Pickett (Halbert) Cogswell Nursing Scholarship
Degree: Nursing
Amount: $500
Length: Once
Qualifiers: Must be eligible for membership in the NSDAR, CAR or SR
Other: This is a Daughter’s of the American Revolution Scholarship
Address: 1776 D. Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006-5392

Name: Elizabeth Garde Nursing Scholarship from The Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America
Degree: RN-BSN, MSN
Amount: $850
Length: Once
Qualifiers: Member or child of a member of the Sisterhood.
Other: Seek to preserve Danish traditions for the future
URL: http://www.danishsisterhood.com/dssScholGrant.asp

Summary

The list of scholarships is not exhaustive. Interested students should continue to research to determine other scholarships available.

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